FUE hair transplant

The FUE hair transplant procedure is for patients who suffer from severe hair loss.
Dr. Christophe Desouches specializes in the FUE technique and other advanced methods in the field of hair restoration.
The FUE method is popular because it gives permanent results while being minimally invasive.

What is FUE hair transplant?

FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction consists of removing healthy hair follicles, called grafts, using micro-punch of less than one millimeter, from a donor area of the scalp and grafting them directly onto the areas of alopecia.

This minimally invasive and relatively painless treatment is performed under local anesthesia. Unlike the strip technique (FUT), there is no visible scar. In most cases, patients are able to return to work very quickly with permanent results.

As a rule, the procedure begins early in the morning and ends late in the afternoon, or even in the evening. For patients living more than two hours from the center, it is desirable to be present the day before the operation in order to be in good shape and rested on the day of the operation.

Initial consultation

The initial consultation makes it possible to detect pathologies that can cause alopecia such as hypothyroidism, diabetes or iron deficiency. In case of doubt, an assessment will be made.

An interview and a questionnaire make it possible to evaluate the motivations and desires of the patient. Dr. Christophe Desouches evaluates with the patient the possible result to be achieved after a single intervention, and the probable number of interventions necessary in order to obtain a satisfactory result.

Before the FUE procedure

It is imperative to stop smoking at least one month before the surgery. Taking aspirin is prohibited 10 days before the operation.

Before the surgery, it is necessary to wash completely with an antiseptic soap.

It is important to provide someone who can take you home after your hospitalization.

The transplant intervention by FUE

Local anesthesia

Local anesthesia is performed in the donor and then recipient area

Extraction

A punch (cylindrical scalpel 0.75 to 1.0 mm in diameter) is used to "free" each follicular unit from its subcutaneous attachments; the follicular unit is then removed using micro-forceps.

The implantation

The follicular units thus removed are reimplanted as quickly as possible using a specific implanter that is much less traumatic than the Choi implanters (or Lion implanter). The surgeon inserts the grafts at an angle and concentration to match the hair's natural pattern, creating a new hairline that will eventually regrow with permanent results.

Cleaning and protection

The team of professionals cleans and bandages the donor area for recovery.

Postoperative follow-up of an FUE hair transplant

The postoperative effects are generally not very painful, but there may be sensations of burning or temporary pain. A healing ointment will allow rapid and harmonious healing 2-3 days after the operation. Edema and bruising may appear on the forehead and eyes, but usually go away within a week. Professional activity can be resumed between 5 and 7 days after the intervention

Generally, the transplanted hair goes through a “falling out phase” and is released a few weeks after the procedure. This in no way indicates that the FUE transplant did not work. This fall is the region's natural response to surgery; the grafts retain their health despite everything, as long as the recommended care measures are followed.

The final result will be obtained in the sixth month after complete regrowth.

Scars from the donor site

The scar left after FUE sampling will be a series of infra-millimeter points, depending on the diameter of the punch used. These scars will be practically invisible to the naked eye due to their size and arrangement in relation to each other. If these points are too close together, there will be a confluence of these points resulting in a wider scar and therefore visible to the naked eye. It is therefore important to distribute the collection of follicular units in such a way as to avoid this confluence and to obtain this disseminated “micro-healing”, therefore harmonious and practically invisible.

Factors other than the diameter of the punch and the distribution of the samples will also influence the visibility of the scars, it will be the contrast between the skin and the hair, the texture of the skin which is variable from one individual to another and also depends on the frequency of consumption of tobacco, alcohol or other substances.

Complications of an FUE hair transplant

Any surgical procedure, even carried out competently in conditions of maximum safety, carries a risk of complications. There are risks of reaction to local anesthesia which is explained to you in a specific sheet.

FUE is usually very low risk. The most important complication is the scar sequelae and the appearance of epidermal cysts.

A good understanding of the expected result is important to anticipate the final result. The intervention is part of a general strategy concerning the area to be covered.

Results and Benefits

The result is visible from the 6th month. To obtain a satisfactory result, it is generally necessary to carry out several operations.

The advantages are substantial:

• No stitches or incisions
• little bleeding
• Fast recovery with minimal downtime
• No linear or visible scar in the donor area

How much does a FUE hair transplant cost?

The price of an FUE hair transplant varies from 2.400€ to 5.000€.
Prices vary depending on the number of grafts.

800 grafts 2.400€
1000 grafts 3.000€
1200 grafts 3.600€
1500 grafts 4.200€
2000 grafts 5.000€

More detail on the “Fees” page >

Important information

This text provides basic information on the principles and procedure of hair transplantation. A more detailed information sheet will be given to you during your consultation. A good understanding of the process and the expected result is essential before considering this intervention. It should be emphasized that the goal of this surgery is to bring improvement and not to achieve perfection. If your wishes are realistic, you will be satisfied with the result.