Is FUE Hair Treatment a Viable Option for Me?

A large number of Americans are going to face hair balding and/or thinning at some point in his or her lifetime. For many, hair loss has an early onset in which observable patches of balding are present on the scalp and only get larger over time. Those who have a genetic predisposition for balding may struggle to maintain a full head of hair. FUE hair treatment may be a viable option for those who are impacted by hair loss and a tarnished self-esteem. To define it briefly, FUE hair treatment is a procedure where healthy hair follicles are harvested and planted into balding areas, in attempt to fill the scalp and reestablish hair lines.

Q: What condition can benefit most from FUE hair transplants?

A: Patients who are diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia, commonly benefit from FUE hair transplants. This is a genetic condition that impacts men, and may also be referred to as male pattern baldness. Balding may be seen at the temple, along the front hairline, and/or crown.

Q: How does FUE hair treatment work?

A: FUE stands for Follicular Unit Extraction, and is a method of transplantation that entails removing follicles from a healthy site and grafting them into an area on the scalp that is balding. The site where the hair will be harvested is cleaned and numbed, and then groups of up to four hairs along with surrounding skin is gathered. Balding areas are marked and incisions are made, so the taken follicles can be inserted. The overall procedure is minimally invasive, but an experienced doctor is required for the highest chance at successful results.

Q: Is hair loss prevention a component of a FUE hair treatment plan?

A: Part of the treatment program for those who undergo a FUE procedure, is preventing or slowing down future balding of what hair is left. A patient who wants to receive a FUE hair treatment but cannot commit to putting in the time or energy to stabilizing hair that isn’t lost yet, may eventually find themselves with newly developed balding areas.

Q: Why do they say that testosterone is a factor in hair loss?

A: Testosterone naturally converts into dihydrotestosterone in the human body, which is responsible for encouraging the growth of body and facial how. However, men who have overly sensitive scalp follicles may react negatively to dihydrotestosterone. If this is true for a male, DHT can cause the hair growth stage to be shortened and hair follicles to shrink. Slowly, the hair becomes shorter, thinned, more frail, and may fall out of the follicle permanently.

Q: What can I expect during FUE recovery?

A: After the FUE hair treatment, the scalp may be very sensitive to the touch. A doctor may recommend wearing a bandage for several days, in addition to taking pain, antibiotic, and/or anti-inflammatory medication. The recovery time varies depending on the individual and how many follicles were transplanted. In general, most people can return to work after about a week or so.

 

Resources:

Wikipedia, Hair Treatment

Dr. Robin Unger, MD, Hair Loss Treatment New York