Advantages of Follicular Unit extraction

(1) More Precise Graft Count

In strip surgery, doctors remove a narrow section of skin from the back or sides of the head. While they can roughly estimate the number of hair follicles that it contains, they do not have an exact number. Therefore, the excision may contain more grafts than needed, by a small margin. Or it may have slightly fewer. Excess follicles may be discarded. Or the insertions may produce somewhat of a lower form of coverage than the patient had hoped for. One advantage of follicular unit extraction method of donor harvesting is that with hair restoration performed through UGraft FUE, the surgeon is able to acquire an exact quantity since the follicles are individually harvested and foot pedal counter is used to enumerate the grafts.

(2) Less Invasive

Due to the use of tiny punch diameters between 0.75-1mm, Follicular Unit Extraction offers a far less invasive procedure compared to using a scalpel. There is much less risk of permanent nerve damage. Permanent nerve damage is also a low risk factor in strip surgery. But it is possible for patients to feel some numbness or tingling. The nerve fibers may need some time to realign themselves during the healing process.

(3) Non-Existent Variable Of Scalp Tension

One often neglected advantage of follicular unit extraction is regarding the issue of suitability based on scalp skin tension which is required by strip surgery but not relevant in FUE. Removing a section of the scalp surface (done in strip but not in FUE?) will reduce its surface area. Once the edges of the wound are stitched together, the skin will stretch and increase tension. This may actually raise certain areas of hair. The nape and the hair around the ears may be higher. The scarring itself may even be stretched.

Doctors sometimes recommend scalp exercises to help restore laxity. But with Follicular Unit Extraction, this is not needed at all.

(4) Natural Hair Growth Patterns Are Sustained

In Follicular Unit Extraction, follicles are removed through punches.  And doctors insert the grafts to conform to natural growth patterns on the head. But when a strip is removed, a large wound is created. And when the edges are closed, there may be different growth patterns on either side of the line that results from this. Both sides may have completely different growth directions of hair. And one side may have hair that is thicker than the other side.

(5) Ability To Select Specific Thicknesses of Hair

FUE extractions can be performed anywhere on the head. But strip excisions are restricted to the lower back and sides where hair tends to grow the thickest. Therefore, with Follicular Unit Extraction, it is possible to choose different thicknesses of hair shafts. And in doing so, the final results can be made to be far more detailed and realistic.

It is quite common for patients who have already had strip surgery to undergo repair with Follicular Unit Extraction to hide their scar. Here is an example.

If there are not enough hairs remaining on the head, grafts can be attained from body regions using Advanced UGraft Follicular Unit Extraction. Read more here.

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