Hair transplants have come a long way since their initial creation, and long gone are the days of patchy-looking hair plugs that left a person with the appearance of “doll hair.”
This is due to a change of methods, with this previous “punch grafting” method no longer the norm.
Today’s hair transplants are virtually seamless, leaving it nearly impossible to tell the difference between where original hair ends and transplanted hair starts. This is largely due to the advanced technology of FUE hair transplants.
There are many factors to consider when undergoing this type of transplant. For example, when it comes to pricing, how much an FUE hair transplant in Toronto costs will depend on the surgeon you use, as well as the size of the transplant area. Below are a few other frequently asked questions about the procedure.
What Is an FUE Hair Transplant?
FUE stands for Follicular Unit Extraction, meaning that the hair follicles are individually taken from the donor area of a patient (usually a discreet area such as the back of the head or neck) and placed one by one in the required area. This individual method allows for a more precise finished result versus the traditional methods of transplanting patches of hair at a time.
How Is an FUE Procedure Performed?
The procedure starts by numbing the scalp and surgical areas before shaving the donor area and removing the follicles one at a time using a computer-operated rotary machine. The process is less does leave very minimal markings on the skin but will be covered by hair growth following the procedure. As the hairs are placed and grafted one at a time with care, making sure that the follicles are not placed too far apart or in contrary directions, ensuring the hair all grows in its most natural and seamless way. Usually, this process takes anywhere from four to eight hours.
Is the Procedure Effective?
Almost all of those who undergo an FUE hair transplant are happy with their results, with an extremely high 90-100% success rate of the procedure. As for customer satisfaction, a 2016 study was conducted and showed that an overwhelming 83% of patients who underwent an FUE procedure were happy with their procedure three years after it had been performed.
How Long Is the Recovery Process?
In general, the turnaround recovery on an FUE hair transplant is fairly quick and painless. The scalp is likely to be tender and sore for a few days following the procedure but will dissipate within a week. Pain medication may be required during this time to help with any headaches or other soreness.
Don’t be alarmed when your transplanted hair falls out a few weeks after your procedure, as this is a normal part of the healing process and often means the procedure was successful. New growth will begin to grow shortly thereafter, and within four to eight months, your new hair will be well on its way to growing all on its own! Full results are typically seen within a year after the procedure.
