FUE – The Preferred Hair Loss Treatment in Dubai

There has been a remarkable development in hair transplant from Punch Hair Transplant in the 1950s to Follicular Unit Hair Transplant (FUT) of the 1990s, and in recent times, the Follicular Unit Transplant (FUE) technique. The coming of FUE for hair loss treatment in Dubai has ensured the possibility of having ‘no visible scarring’ in the donor area. 

In HUE hair transplant, the grafts are extracted separately as follicular units in a two or three step process, though the method of implementing is same as that of the traditional FUT. The latest addition of automated technique in FUE tries to overcome some limitations existing in this new technique that makes it easy not to perform over a thousand grafts in a single day when performed by a skilled person. The article discusses the methodology, its limitations, and the advantages of having FUE hair transplant.

The follicular unit extraction process consists of multiple steps. The first step of FUE (Follicular Unite Extraction) is extraction of the follicular units from the donor area.  This helps in selecting the individual follicular units of the individual from the region of donor in such a pattern that it resolves the major problem of having lower donor area density after completion of the procedure. 

A special needle of 0.70mm to 1.30 mm diameter is used to remove the follicular units, and in the process does away with any requirement for removing the skin from the back of the head. The important benefits of FUE are a far less trauma, a speedy healing, no possibility of strip scar, and the ability to select follicular units individually. There is practically no discomfort felt in the donor area. Two types of punches are used – the Sharp punch and the Dull punch. Due to the inability of seeing the route and angle of the follicular unit below the skin, which could often change from the surface hair direction, there are possibilities of transecting or severing the follicular units below, if ever a sharp punch is used under the skin surface. The dull punch however tries to cover the follicular unit, leaving the surrounding soft tissues. This is known as the “blunt dissection”. As separation is made of the original follicular unit from the neighboring tissues in the skin, it is possible to extract them, often done using a forceps by holding the hair above the surface. Once extraction of the follicle is done, a small hole remains that heals in few days time. This tiny wounds contract over time as it heals, leading to the round scars becoming smaller and less noticeable. 

After the completion of the FUE, hundreds of small round white spots remain that usually are not visible after the growth of hair. A fine needle is used by the surgeon to puncture the sites and implement the grafts, leading to the formation of micro-holes with the required density and pattern and an even style for a rational hair pattern. The final phase consists of inserting the grafts in the prepared incisions. 

In essence, FUE is an unrelenting surgical procedure that benefits the patient with lower risk of complications and reduced recovery time. Mastering this technique in all its aspects takes much practice and years for achieving perfection. An experienced surgeon can transplant on an average of 1000 to 1200 follicular unit grafts in a single day. However, there are doctors who can transplant up to 2000 to 2500 grafts per day. The cost of undergoing the FUE treatment is also usually twice the cost involved in a standard procedure for follicular unit hair transplant. The availability of FUE has made it possible to have frontal hair forever without having a linear scar at the back. 

FUE is now become an exciting advancement in the field of hair transplant for hair loss treatment in Dubai and is near to minimally invasive procedure. The possibility of almost scar-less surgery is quite luring to both the patient as well as the surgeon. The reason for FUE treatment getting popular in comparison to strip harvest is because of the possibility of avoiding linear scar, a pain-free post operative period, or for the simple reason of minimally invasive procedure. 

The FUE technique could act as a good alternative to the traditional hair transplantation in the case of some selected patients. 

The major benefits of FUE are as follows:

·        There is less man power involved

·        Less painful procedure

·        Requires less equipment to work with

·        Patient has to spend less time in surgical center for post operative period

·        There is no visibility of scars, and so the person can have different hair styles

·        It is possible to use hair follicles existing in other body parts for use as donor           sites. 

Patient’s perspective

·        Post-operative recovery time is less

·        Microscopic scars existing in the donor area are nearly invisible

·        No need for a visit to the clinic for stitch removal

·        Body hair could be used for increasing the density using FUE

·        Pre-existing scar that remains after strip surgery could be covered with FUE 

The limitations of FUE

·        FUE is a time consuming protocol and sometimes requires few breaks during the    procedure

·        FUE technology is improving and it is a long way to achieve perfection in this new  technology

·      The number of sittings required to complete the FUE is higher compared to FUT     and other hair transplant techniques.