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FUE or striped method hair transplant

Hair transplantation:

It is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of “hair follicles” from an area of hair growth “donor site” to an areawhich is near bald or balding called the “recipient site”. The technique is primarily used to treat “male pattern baldness”.In this minimally invasive procedure grafts containing hair follicles which are genetically resistant to balding(like the back of the head) are transplanted to the bald scalp area. This technique differs from skin grafting in that grafts contain almost all of the dermis and epidermis surrounding the hair follicle, and many tiny grafts are transplanted instead of a single strip of hair.

Strip harvesting:

This is the most common technique of removing hair follicles from donor sites. The surgeon harvests a strip of skin from posterior scalp of good hair growth where it is to be thickest and healthiest. A single, double or triple- bladed scalpel is used to remove strips of hair-bearing tissue from the donor site. Each incision is planned so as to only remove strips of hair follicles. The removed strip is about 1-1.5x 5-30cm in size. While closing the wound, assistants begin to dissect individual follicular unit grafts, which are small, naturally formed groupings of hair follicles, from the strip. Using binocular stereo-microscopes, they carefully remove excess fibrous and fatty tissue while trying to avoid damage which will be used for grafting. The latest method of closure is “Trichophytic closure” resulting in much finer scars at the donor area.The individual hair follicles are inserted into areas of the scalp where hair is thinnest. Very small micro blades and fine needles are then used to puncture the site from receiving the graftswhich are placed in a predetermined density and pattern, angling the wounds in a consistent fashion to promote a realistic hair pattern.

Strip harvesting will leave a thin linear scar in the donor area, which is typically covered by a patients hair even a relatively short lengths. The recovery period is around 2 weeks and will require the stiches to be removed by a medical personal.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE):

In FUE individual follicular units containing 1 to 4 hairs are removed under local anesthesia. This micro removal typically uses tiny punches of between 0.6mm and 1.0mm in diameter. This procedure takes place in a single long session or multiple small ones. This procedure is more time consuming then strip surgery. It can take anywhere from couple of hours to extract 200 grafts for a scar correction to a surgery over two consecutive days for a mega session of 2500 to 3000 grafts. Clients are selected on bass of a fox test.

FUE can give natural results. The advantage over strip harvest is that the former neglects the need for large areas of scalp tissue to be harvested, so there is no linear incision on the back of the head nor leave a linear scar. As only individual follicles are removed leaving only small punctuate scars which are virtually not visible. Plus post-surgical pain is minimized, and recovery may take just about a week. The disadvantagesinclude increased surgical times and higher cost to the patient. It is challenging for new surgeons as it is a difficult and lengthy skill to master. Some surgeons note the low success rate of successfully transplanted follicles in FUE compared to strip harvesting.

What is he difference between FUE and strip method hair transplant:

Hair transplant surgeries have had an amazing impact upon the happiness and confidence of those suffering from baldness, but when choosing what type of procedure to undergo clients are confused of the difference between strip and FUE surgery. Following are the difference between the two.

The main difference lies in the way hair is extracted. In the strip method also called the follicular unit transplantation the donor hair is removed in a long stip. The donor area is located at the back of the head where hair is thickest. Individual follicles are dissected by the help of fiber optic microscopes. The surgeon inserts the follicles in the same slots that contained the hair. In FUE the donor area is shaved and follicles are removed individually via a tiny vacuum device, rather than in a long strip. This allows for more control to the technicians over the area and minimizes scaring and trauma to the scalp.

Their also lies difference in the procedure time and recovery time. FUE takes longer as individual follicles are removed. Strip method takes longer time to heal usually taking around a month but the risk of a permanent scar reaming is there. In FUE patients can take to work the next day.

With both methods it takes around 2 months until the transplanted hair grows. Many patients prefer FUE technique as it doesn’t cause any visible scaring.