What is FUE surgery?

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a minimally invasive hair transplant procedure that delivers natural-looking results that are indistinguishable from your existing hair. After administering local anaesthetic, surgeons remove groups of healthy hair follicles individually from thicker areas of hair, usually at the back of the head, and reimplant them into balding areas via tiny incisions in the scalp. 

For those who are eligible for FUE surgery, it offers faster recovery times than follicular unit transplantation (FUT), as well as minimal scarring, giving you the flexibility to experiment with shorter hairstyles. FUE has advanced significantly over the past decade and is ideal for those who wish to have the procedure without shaving large areas.

Why choose FUE surgery?

FUE surgery is less invasive than follicular unit transplantation (FUT), which involves removing a strip of skin from the donor area, so you’ll heal more quickly. The technique results in minimal visible scarring – tiny dot scars that are virtually undetectable to the naked eye – which makes it ideal for patients who wear their hair short. It’s also the preferred method for patients who require smaller procedures such as revision cases with smaller graft requirements or eyebrow and beard transplants.

The FUE hair transplant process

Initial consultation with a hair transplant specialist

The first step in your hair transplant journey will be a consultation with one of our in-house hair transplant specialists. During this consultation your dedicated specialist will answer any questions, talk you through our available procedures, and assess your suitability for surgery. They’ll then pass on your medical details and discuss your individual requirements with your surgeon.

 

Consultation with your hair transplant surgeon

The next step in the process is an in-person or video consultation with your dedicated surgeon. The surgeon will establish the cause of your hair loss, and perform a thorough examination and an in-depth hair analysis – in video consultations they’ll do this using photos and videos that you provide. Your surgeon will discuss your best treatment options with you, and design a bespoke surgical plan tailored to your requirements to achieve natural, long-lasting results.

 

Our dedicated hair loss specialist will liaise with you regarding the next steps, providing a detailed quote and available surgery appointments. Once you decide that you’re ready to proceed we’ll find a surgery date that works for you. 

 

Surgery

Your surgery will take place at one of our state-of-the-art private clinics in London or Leeds.

Surgery prep & anaesthesia 

The surgeon will brief the team and team members will introduce themselves so that you’re surrounded by familiar faces throughout your experience. A member of the surgical team will carefully trim or shave the areas required for the procedure. The surgeon will carefully administer a local anaesthetic to the donor area to ensure you feel no pain or discomfort during your surgery – this will take effect within a few minutes.

Hair follicle extraction 

Once the donor area is numb, the surgeon will begin the extraction process, carefully removing follicles using a technique that minimises scarring.

Hair follicle implantation 

After marking the areas where hair will be implanted, your surgeon will administer a local anaesthetic and begin creating tiny incisions to facilitate graft placement at a natural angle. Grafts are then carefully implanted into these incisions by the surgeon and their team to ensure a natural final result. The surgeon will then carefully inspect the recipient area under magnification to ensure that the grafts have been implanted successfully.

Aftercare

Our unparalleled aftercare will ensure you achieve the best possible results. We’ll provide you with aftercare materials and medication, and your surgeon will walk you through your aftercare instructions so that you feel confident and comfortable looking after your scalp in the days and weeks to come. 

Our dedicated hair transplant specialists will be on hand to answer any questions and offer advice throughout your recovery.

At Manual we operate an open follow-up policy which means that we’re on hand to see you at any stage of your journey if you’d like to discuss your progress. 

Recovery time

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) techniques have advanced significantly over the past few years and we find that most of our patients wake up the following day without any pain or discomfort. You should be able to return to your normal routine 7 to 10 days after your FUE transplant depending on your lifestyle. You may resume gentle exercise from week 1 and more strenuous exercise from week 2 following surgery.

You should follow the instructions detailed in our aftercare package and take extra care for 1 to 2 weeks following your procedure to ensure that the grafts are kept in a safe and stable environment.

FUE surgery FAQs

• Is FUE right for me?

  FUE surgery is recommended for patients who’d like minimal downtime as it doesn’t involve stitches so you’ll heal more quickly. The technique results in minimal visible scarring so it’s ideal for patients who wear their hair short. It’s also the preferred method for patients who require smaller procedures such as revision cases with smaller graft requirements or eyebrow and beard transplants.

   

• When will I see results from FUE surgery?

  You may see an immediate improvement in coverage, however, most of the transplanted hairs will shed in the first 6 to 12 weeks. After this you’ll see new, sustained hair growth and the final results will be visible from 12 to 18 months following surgery.

   

• Is FUE a painful procedure?

  FUE procedures are performed under local anaesthetic – once the initial injections have been administered you should feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure. Our patients often find the procedure relaxing and many fall asleep. We can also administer a mild sedative to relax you if you’re anxious about having surgery. You can expect some minor swelling, itchiness and mild discomfort after the procedure but this will subside and is easily managed with the medication provided in your aftercare package. 

   

• What type of hair loss can FUE surgery treat?

  FUE can successfully treat the most common causes of hair loss:

  • Male and female pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia)
  • Traction alopecia
  • Scars
  • Naturally high hairlines
  • Eyebrow or beard hair loss

   

• Are FUE surgery results permanent?

  The majority of the transplanted hairs should remain permanently, although you can expect a small amount of shedding as you age. We recommend supplementing your treatment with hair-loss medications Finasteride and Minoxidil to encourage continued hair growth and help you maintain hair in other areas that may be vulnerable to thinning.

   

• How long does FUE surgery take?

  On average an FUE hair transplant usually takes between 5 to 7 hours.

   

• How long is the recovery period?

  You should be able to return to your normal routine 7 to 10 days after your FUE transplant depending on your lifestyle. You may resume gentle exercise from week 1 and more strenuous exercise from week 2 following surgery.

   

• Who will perform the FUE procedure?

  All of our hair transplant procedures are performed by our skilled surgeons. Although highly skilled members of the team, our technicians and surgical assistants will never harvest any follicles or create the incisions into which the grafts are transplanted. They will assist the surgeon in graft placement once the surgeon has created the incisions, which is a safe, recognised role for surgical assistants in the UK.

   

• Are there any side effects to the FUE procedure?

  There may be some minor pain, swelling, and itchiness for a few days post-surgery but this will subside and is easily managed with the medication provided in your aftercare package. 

   

Comparing hair transplant methods

Here’s a simple breakdown of the main differences between our available hair restoration surgeries.