Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

There are two leading methods of hair transplant technique, follicular unit grafting (FUG) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). The Siporin Revitalization Center is proud to offer both techniques because we believe that each has its distinct set of advantages that might make one or the other a better fit for your particular needs.

Both FUG and FUE are undetectable techniques that produce natural hairlines and excellent coverage. Both techniques place hairs the way they would naturally grow, at the same angle and in the same direction. The end result of an FUG or FUE transplant is comparable.

The big difference is the way in which the hairs are extracted from the donor region, the area of the scalp where hair is resistant to balding. During FUG, Dr. Siporin removes long, thin strips of hair from the donor region, the area of the scalp that’s naturally resistant to balding. He then dissects the strip under powerful magnification into individual follicular unit grafts containing 1, 2, 3, or 4 hairs. These are then transplanted into tiny receptor sites in the balding areas.

By contrast, FUE harvests donor hairs using a tiny circular punch around each follicular unit. While FUE leaves hundreds of tiny rings around the extracted hairs that, when healed, are typically undetectable, FUG leaves long, thin scars. Hair will grow through these scars and they are very well concealed. When you’re fully healed from your FUG procedure, the scars will be very difficult to detect, even on close inspection.

The FUG procedure has some important advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other leading method, Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). More hairs can be transplanted in a single session of FUG than in a session of FUE. If your hair restoration goal requires a very high number of grafts, you might require more sessions of FUE than you might if we used FUG. You might even just need the one session of FUG! Also, when compared to FUE, FUG is significantly less expensive.

FUG has a few disadvantages. Because it does require incisions, men who wear their hair very short might want to consider FUE instead. Also, because sutures are required to close the incisions in the donor area, recovery from FUG is longer than from FUE.

To determine which method might be best for you, schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Siporin. He will evaluate your hair loss, discuss your goals, and help you weigh the risks and benefits of your many options.