Here’s an FUE hair transplant surgery inside Camilia Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey, with videos explaining each step of the procedure.
Steps of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplant:
Aside from the doctor’s consultation and initial examinations, which do not require video demonstration, the hair transplant procedure using the FUE technique involves six stages:
- Shaving (if necessary)
- Local anesthesia.
- Hair follicle extraction and sorting.
- Designing the hairline.
- Creating channels in hair reception areas.
- Transplanting hair follicles.
So, let’s start watching videos of this process.
Step 1 Video: Haircut
Head shaving is not a necessary step in all hair transplant procedures; in some cases, it may be applied only to the donor area, depending on the type of baldness.
As we know, many modern hair transplant procedures aim to thicken hair and fill gaps in low-density hair, and the DHI technique can achieve this. Alternatively, the goal of a hair transplant may be to create a new hairline.
The shaving and washing phase of the FUE hair transplant procedure takes no more than 30 minutes, after which photos are taken.
Step 2 Video: Local Anesthesia
At this stage of the FUE hair transplant procedure, the donor area is numbed with a local anesthetic. This is the first local anesthetic administered.
As you saw in the video, the donor area is located at the back and sides of the head and is characterized by high hair density.
The medical team extracts the required number of hair follicles from this area for later transplantation.
Step 3 Video: Hair Follicle Extraction
The third stage of the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant procedure is the extraction of hair follicles. This usually takes two hours, but can sometimes extend to three.
Using a micro-motor with fine tips, as shown in the video, surgeons extract hair follicles from the fully anesthetized donor area.
These extracted follicles are then collected, sorted, and sterilized in specialized solutions while the patient takes their first break.
Note: From each square millimeter, the surgeon extracts no more than two out of every four follicles to avoid a significant decrease in the hair density of the donor areas.
Step 4 Video: Hairline Design
A hairline design is a crucial step in the hair transplant procedure, as it determines the natural and aesthetic appearance of the transplanted hair.
Designing this hairline requires meticulous planning and high technical skill from the hair transplant surgeon to create a hairline that complements the patient’s facial features, age, and expectations.
Step 5 Video: Creating Channels
This fifth video demonstrates the process of preparing the recipient area for the previously extracted hair follicles (step 3 video) by creating channels.
The recipient area is anesthetized with a local anesthetic, and surgeons then create these channels using specialized techniques. In Turkey, for example, the following techniques are most commonly used:
- Traditional FUE (shown in the video above),
- NanoFUE,
- Percutaneous FUE,
- Sapphire FUE,
- UltraSlit.
Note: The DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) technique does not require this step; it is skipped because it opens the channels and implants the hair directly. Therefore, the hairline is predetermined.
Creating the channels is the most important stage in the FUE hair transplant procedure, as they should be opened in the direction of natural hair growth. Therefore, the surgeon’s experience and the technique used are crucial factors.
This stage typically takes between one and two hours, depending on the technique employed.
Afterward, the patient takes a second break and eats a healthy meal.
Step 6 Video: Transplanting Hair Follicles
This sixth and final video demonstrates the hair follicle transplant process. After creating the channels in the previous step, the doctor implants the follicles into them.
The average hair follicle transplant procedure takes approximately four hours, depending on the amount of hair being implanted.
Once this step is complete, the patient’s head is washed for the first time, covered with a bandage, and can leave to rest.
After two days of rest, the patient returns to the hospital/clinic for a second wash, thus completing the entire hair transplant process.
What to Expect Regarding Hair Growth After a Hair Transplant?
After a hair transplant, you will go through the usual stages of hair growth and the expected results. Here is an overview of what to expect:
1. The immediate post-operative period (days 1-14):
- You may notice some swelling, redness, and scabbing around the transplanted areas.
- The transplanted hair follicles have settled into place, but some existing hair may fall out during the first few weeks – this is normal and is called “shock loss.”
2. The shedding phase (weeks 2-4):
- Transplanted hair often falls out as part of the natural hair growth cycle; this is temporary.
- Your scalp may appear temporarily thinner, but new hair begins to grow beneath the surface.
3. Dormant phase (months 1-3):
- There is no noticeable hair growth during this period.
- The new hair follicles settle and prepare to grow.
4. Initial Hair Growth (Months 3-4):
- New, fine, thin hair begins to appear.
- The hair may appear finer and less dense at first.
5. Significant Growth (Months 4-6):
- The hair becomes thicker and more visible.
- Density gradually improves as the follicles continue to grow.
6. Full Results (Months 9-12):
- Most patients notice a significant improvement in hair density.
- The hair continues to mature and thicken over time.
7. Final Outcome (12-18 months):
- The transplanted hair reaches its full density and thickness.
- With proper care and follow-up, the results are usually permanent.
Additional Tips on FUE Hair Transplantation:
Here are some helpful tips from the experts at Camilia Clinic, a leading hair transplant center in Istanbul.
- Patience is key; hair growth after FUE is gradual.
- Use the prescribed medications and follow your surgeon’s instructions for optimal results.
- Regular scalp care and avoiding damaging it help maintain healthy hair growth.