Follicular unit extractions (FUE) are surgical procedures that utilise a small tool that extracts groupings of hair follicles from donor sites. The FUE micrograft is a type of FUE procedure that uses the smallest available tools, ranging between 0.9 and 1.2 millimetres in diameter. These small tools are punches, which extract tiny circular areas of skin and hair from the donor sites.
The removed follicles are transplanted to areas of balding in patterns that mimic the patient’s natural hair growth. FUE micrografts are usually extracted from donor sites on the sides or back of the patient’s head, but body hair can also be used during FUE micrograft procedures.
The FUE micrograft procedure takes only a few hours and requires a local anaesthetic. Most patients receiving the procedure return to work within a day or two.
The main advantage of the procedure is the avoidance of a linear scar. The punch tool leaves tiny circular dots that are more difficult to detect than the strip scar left by FUT procedures. This is especially beneficial to individuals who may wish to trim their hair short. The large strip scar on the back of the head, which is caused by FUT procedures, can only be disguised by hair that is long enough to cover the incision.
The FUE micrograft may be inconvenient to some patients. FUT procedures allow for a larger portion of transplants to occur during a single procedure. Those obtaining FUE procedures may find that more significant results are desired, which unlike FUT procedures, may require multiple sessions.
Another disadvantage of FUE procedures is that the donor site must be shaved before the surgery. This may be cosmetically awkward for some patients.
The FUE micrograft procedure is recommended to those who have very few donor sites on the scalp, but excess body hair. Unlike FUT procedures, the FUE micrograft can extract hair from anywhere on the body. This provides opportunities to patients who would normally be ineligible for hair transplant procedures.
It must be noted, however, that body hair does not have the same quality of growth as scalp hair. The hair transplanted from the body will be thinner and will grow much slower than head hair. Donor sites located outside of the scalp region are only recommended in cases where there is no available donor sites on the scalp.
This procedure is also effective at covering scars from injuries or other hair transplant procedures. The FUE micrograft can be used to cover the strip scar associated with the FUT procedures.