Follicular Unit Extraction sapphire FUE 

What is a sapphire FUE hair transplant?

Follicular Unit Extraction is a method of extracting donor hair in a follicular unit hair transplant procedure. In FUE hair transplant surgery, an instrument is used to make a small, circular incision in the skin around a follicular unit, separating it from the surrounding tissue. The unit is then extracted (pulled) directly from the scalp, leaving a small open hole.

This process is repeated until the hair transplant surgeon has extracted enough follicular units for the planned hair restoration. This process can take one or more hours and in more than one session, may be accomplished over two consecutive days. The donor wounds, approximately 1-mm in size, completely heal over the course of seven to ten days, leaving tiny white scars buried in the hair in the back and sides of the scalp.

This method of donor harvesting, removing follicular units one-by-one directly from the scalp, is what differentiates the FUE hair transplant from a traditional Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT), where the donor’s hair is removed from the scalp in one thin, long strip and then subsequently dissected into individual follicular units using a stereomicroscope.

Before the grafts are extracted, tiny “recipient sites” are made in the balding area of the scalp using a fine needlepoint instrument. The follicular units are then placed into the recipient sites where they will grow into healthy hair-producing follicles. The creation of recipient sites and the placing of follicular unit grafts are essentially the same in both FUE and FUT procedures. The difference lies in the appearance of the donor area and in the quality and quantity of grafts obtained with each technique.

In the FUE technique, grafts collected and transplanted into the needed area one by one. It does not leave a scar on the donor area because it does not require stitches. So, the FUE technique has become quite popular in recent years. After seven days of recovery, the procedure is complete without any trace on the skin.

Who are the best candidates for a sapphire FUE hair transplant?

The key considerations that determine the candidacy for FUE are the extent of the hair loss and having enough actively growing, healthy donor hair on the back and the sides of the head. Because of the differences in the way men and women lose their hair, men are often better candidates for hair transplantation than women.

FUE is a great option for people who like to wear their hair short. It’s also ideal for those who’ve already had a hair transplant procedure and are looking for more density.

How long does the procedure take? 

FUE is a routine that depends on the patient. Depending on the number of grafts the patient needs or wants transplanted, the surgery can last 3-8 hours, and you can expect to go home the same day. Often, people return to work or their normal activities the very next day. With FUE, patients may experience minimal redness and swelling that should subside within a few days to a week. 

What happens before and after a sapphire FUE hair transplant? 

A doctor will meet with the patient before your surgery, answer any questions you may have and review your expectations from FUE. Photos will be taken of your hair and the physician will mark your scalp with a surgical pen to identify the specific areas needing coverage.

Following your FUE procedure, the doctor will examine your scalp and post-surgical instructions will be given to you. Pain medication is available, as needed, to calm any pain. The scalp may be slightly red or swollen and, as the skin heals, it is likely to see scabs and experience some itching, just like any minor wound. Based on the normal hair growth cycle, new transplanted hair grows in 3-4 months. A full head of hair is expected to grow within 9-12 months after your surgery.