Follicular unit extraction is referred to as a procedure that involves manual removal of individual hair follicles from the patient’s scalp. The FUE hair transplant is a complex two-step process, which requires the expertise of a top-rated facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Gary Linkov. At City Facial Plastics in Manhattan NY, we offer FUE hair transplants via the revolutionary Trivellini System, which offers patients the latest cutting edge technology ensuring the most optimal hair transplant results.
Follicular unit extraction (FUE), also known as follicular transfer, is a method for removing hairs from one part of the body in order to transfer them to another. Typically, back of the head hairs are removed and moved to the front. However, other combinations including body hair are possible. The ultimate purpose is to leave the least amount of trauma at the donor site, where the hairs are taken from. FUE achieves this goal by removing hairs one at a time and respecting the natural clusters that they grow in.
Hair restoration is sought out by men and women of different ages to look and feel more youthful, healthy, and confident. A hair transplant is one form of hair restoration at our City Facial Plastics in New York that delivers permanent results. Hair transplants can be performed using different methods for removing hairs. One of these methods is called follicular unit extraction, or FUE.
There are a few characteristics that make someone a good candidate for FUE, including:
Dr. Linkov is a great guy and is very knowledgeable. When it comes to FUE (including body hair transplant), it’s all about the experience of the doctor and technicians. Dr. Linkov has a very experienced team that allowed me to fully recover in 6 days. I had a procedure done on a Sunday, and was out and about on a Friday night, with nobody noticing that anything had been done. Definitely recommend.
Joshua Guzman
The concept for FUE is to use a tool to remove a follicular unit graft without traumatizing the follicle. The tool must punch through the skin, keeping the hair shaft in the middle of it, and include some of the deeper subcutaneous tissue as a cuff around the hair while preserving the deeper hair follicle bulb.
There are a few tools that can be employed in order to harvest (punch out) honor hairs using the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method, such as:
There are several options for preparing the donor area for follicular unit extraction (FUE) harvest, such as:
The size of the FUE punch is typically 0.8mm-1mm depending on hair quality and provider experience.
Once the hair grafts are punched, they are extracted using delicate fine forceps and kept in a solution on ice until they are ready to be transplanted to their new location.
The actual process of FUE is sometimes done by a hair technician and other times by the Dr. Linkov plastic surgeon or an advanced practitioner such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Technically, follicular transfer is considered a surgical procedure and it may be unlawful for hair technicians without an advanced degree to do the extractions in some states.
Immediately after the FUE procedure, antibiotic ointment is placed over the area, and should be applied twice daily at home for the first 5-7 days. Minimal bleeding may occur for the first few days. Some discomfort is common but rarely is there significant pain for the first few days. Temporary sensation changes are possible. Each small punch site will develop a crust which falls out after 3-5 days. It is okay to get the area wet with soap and water the day after the procedure. A haircut in the area of the FUE is possible as early as 4-5 days after the procedure.
The following are possible risks/complications after FUE:
With the FUE method of hair extraction, small circular scars are left but they are barely noticeable even with a shaved head. The key is not to overharvest, to leave enough hairs in between the FUE sites so that they provide sufficient coverage.
Typically an oral sedative (Ambien) and an anxiolytic (Valium) are given at the start of the follicular transfer procedure to relax the patient and make it more tolerable to be on the stomach for up to several hours. Follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant in UES, Manhattan involves first numbing the area with a solution of lidocaine with epinephrine as well as a longer lasting anesthetic called bupivacaine.
Once this is done the harvesting is not a painful process. You may feel some pressure but there is no sharp pain. There is minimal discomfort during the recovery process.
The contraindications to FUE include:
The primary alternative to FUE is called the strip method, or FUT (follicular unit transplantation). FUT involves cutting out a strip of tissue to the depth of the hair follicles. The resultant wound is closed with suture. The hairs are then processed by technicians outside of the body to prepare for transplantation. The advantage of FUT is the speed of removal and potential for a greater number of hairs. The disadvantages are a lengthier and more uncomfortable recovery as well as the linear scar that forms.
Yes. In experienced hands of our Manhattan’s Upper East Side celebrity plastic surgeons, the rate of transection (cutting through the hair follicle and destroying it) during FUE is very low (4-6%). The small punch sizes used today lend well to a speedy recovery with minimal discomfort at the donor area.
Yes. FUE is the most modern method of hair extraction for a hair transplant. Patients enjoy the less invasive nature of follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant compared to a strip procedure which results in less downtime and less visible scarring.
The cost of FUE usually depends on the number of grafts extracted, though it can also run a flat rate in some clinics. For per graft cost, the going rate in NYC is $5-8 per graft for standard scalp hair restoration. Cost may be higher for more specialized procedures, such as eyebrow transplant or body hair transplant.
There are few surgeons in the United States that know how to perform their own follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant procedures, as most rely on hair technicians for the majority of the work. Dr.Linkov personally performs the FUE hair transplant in NYC to ensure the best results in a clean and safe environment.
If you have any questions for the best-in-class facial plastic surgeon in New York City, Dr. Gary Linkov, or would like to make a follicular unit extraction consultation, please feel free to contact our City Facial Plastics office, located in Midtown, Manhattan, for a consultation.
Dr. Linkov is an artistic and skilled doctor. He made me look and feel younger and more confident. He is friendly and warm. Responded to my phone calls and addressed all of my concerns immediately. My experience with his staff was very pleasant. There was no waiting time for the appointments. I greatly recommend Dr. Linkov.
Inna C
Dr. Linkov is a double board-certified by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. A native of New York, Dr. Linkov graduated as a salutatorian from Cornell University and received his Medical Degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Linkov conducted advanced head and neck cancer research at the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Linkov is a former Adjunct Assistant Professor at New York University (NYU), where he taught Rhinoplasty.
Dr. Linkov is a top-rated facial plastic surgeon in New York who specializes in lip lift, facelift, rhinoplasty, and hair transplant. He has been named one of the top 5 lip lift surgeons in the United States, is listed in the prestigious SuperDoctors New York™ registry, and has appeared on the Dr. Oz Show, where he discussed the state-of-the-art hair transplantation procedure.
City Facial Plastics 150 E 56th St, #1AB, New York, NY 10022 (212) 439-5177