FUE Hair Transplant Surgery

A FUE hair transplant is a pretty simple procedure, but what actually happens during your surgery? Simply put, a hair transplant moves hair from one part of your body to another. Hair follicles grow in groups of 1-4 hairs, known commonly as grafts. These grafts are taken from your donor area, that’s the part of your body — typically the back of your head — with hairs that aren’t susceptible to patterned hair loss. These hairs are then transplanted into your recipient area, that’s the bald or thinning part. The hair grafts that are taken from your donor area are resistant to a hormone that is thought to cause hair loss. When your surgeon transplants these grafts to the recipient area, they retain the resistance to this hormone and are therefore permanent.

During a FUE hair transplant, a surgeon will typically transplant anywhere between 500 and 5,000 grafts. Significant success rates, reduced costs, and longer-lasting results have brought this treatment into the forefront of the plastic surgery world, with it now being considered one of the highest-quality procedures available.

Getting Ready for Your FUE Hair Transplant Surgery

No two hair restoration surgeries are ever identical. Yours will be specifically planned out based on your individual needs, preferences and chosen clinic and doctor. However, there are a few main steps that are involved in the run-up to all FUE hair transplants. These include:

• An initial consultation 

• Planning your visit to the clinic

• On-site consultation with your doctor

• A few initial checks and tests

• Preparing for surgery

These steps will allow your chosen doctor to understand the underlying reasons behind your hair loss, to ensure that the treatment is carried out in the best possible way.

FUE Hair Transplant Surgery: Step-by-Step

You’re now through the preparation stage and are ready for your FUE hair transplant. Once you feel happy to proceed, your treatment team will begin your hair restoration procedure. 

1. Extracting the Grafts

A local anaesthetic is administered to numb your head for the duration of the surgery. Hair grafts are extracted one at a time and sorted in single, double, and triple hairs. They're then placed in special storage solutions that maintain their vitality.

2. Making the Incisions

Following extraction, microblades are used to create small incisions in which the hair grafts can be placed. These incisions determine the direction of hair growth and so your doctor will angle them in a consistent pattern, to ensure a natural look and density.

3. Implanting the Grafts

The extracted hair grafts are then inserted into the bald or thinning area of your head. This typically takes a few hours and patients often pass the time by reading, watching TV or even taking a nap! 

Note: During this stage, it’s common for patients to also receive what’s known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. This is often offered as a complementary treatment alongside an FUE hair transplant, as it promotes hair growth and helps with healing after your surgery. 

4. Post-Operative Check-Up

After your FUE hair transplant, your treatment team will give you some painkillers to ease any soreness that you may have in the following days. If you’ve chosen to have your FUE hair transplant abroad, you’ll spend the night in accommodation nearby. The day after your treatment, you’ll meet up with your treatment team again for a post-op check-up. During this, your doctor will also give you some advice and instructions to follow in the following weeks.

FUE Hair Transplant Results

Once you’ve had your FUE hair transplant, you should see gradual hair growth on your previously bald or thinning area. For more detailed information, check out our post-op hair transplant guide.

• The First Two Weeks After Treatment

  You may find that your head is a little sore and tender during the first couple of weeks following your hair follicle transplant. It’s also likely that you’ll see visible scabbing, but this should gradually improve during the second week. If you notice that some hairs are falling out, don’t panic! This is a completely normal part of the process and these will grow back in the coming months.

• Weeks 2-8

  It’s likely that you’ll start to experience what’s known as the 'shedding phase'. This is when up to 90% of your transplanted hair, and possibly some of your natural hair close to the donor site, falls out. Again, don’t worry about this! It occurs in 95% of FUE hair transplant cases and it’s a natural, transient reaction to the treatment. Your hair will gradually recover and grow back after this. Some clinics may also advise undergoing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment to improve and stimulate this recovery.

• Months 2-6

  Your hair growth may be fairly slow between the second and fourth month after your treatment, with typical growth being around 5%. By the fourth month though, you should begin to notice around 20-25% of your new transplanted hair start to grow. By month six, you should see around 40-50% of new hair growth beginning to show.

• Months 6-12

  Between the sixth and ninth month, your transplanted hair should reach a growth level of around 75%. After the ninth month, your transplanted hair should continue to grow, typically the last 25%. However, it’s worth noting that in some cases it may take up to 18 months after your surgery to fully regain any hair in the crown area of your head.

Popular Doctors

Interested in having a look at some of the people involved in the industry? Check out our list of FUE hair transplant doctors which shows some of the most popular choices among our past patients. Read about their medical history, experience, accreditations, and the unique treatment packages that they offer. These doctor profiles can help you decide who is best suited for your treatment. Dr. Mehmet Erdogan, MD for example, is a leading FUE hair transplant surgeon based in Turkey. Dr. Erdogan speaks English and has performed over 2,500 hair transplants since 2011. He’s also co-founder of the well-renowned Smile Hair Clinic, in Istanbul.

Getting a FUE Hair Transplant Abroad and in the UK

Choosing between undergoing a FUE hair transplant in the UK or abroad can be tricky. FUE hair transplant clinics in Turkey for example, are a popular choice for patients, thanks to low prices and high-quality care, but travelling abroad for healthcare can feel daunting for some. But, clinics abroad are experienced in caring for international patients, so travelling for treatment is as straightforward as staying in the UK. That being said, there are still a few common questions that patients have before travelling for a FUE hair transplant abroad.

Why Choose Qunomedical?

At Qunomedical, we provide a patient first service. Our team has been built on the passionate belief that healthcare should be easily and readily accessible to all, regardless of background. Whether you’re simply looking for some information about FUE hair transplants, or are ready to find a doctor to book with, we can help!

✔ 100% free, non-binding assessment: Regardless of whether you go on to book a treatment or not, we offer a 100% free, non-binding assessment. 

✔ Verified doctors and clinics: Every doctor and clinic that we provide you with information on has been professionally vetted in accordance with our proprietary scoring system, Qunoscore.

✔ All-inclusive packages: Interested in having your FUE hair transplant abroad? Many clinics offer all-inclusive packages which can include hotel accommodation, airport transfers, and taxis to take you to and from the clinic. 

✔ 24/7 support: Qunomedical believes strongly in end-to-end care – from your first questions to your successful recovery. Reach your Patient Manager via phone, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or email. In emergency cases, our team can always be reached, 24/7.

✔ Price match: Found a FUE hair transplant at the same clinic, with the same doctor, cheaper somewhere else? We’ll match it.

Still unsure about whether a FUE hair transplant is right for you? Check out Shane’s story below where he talks about his decision to undergo surgery, his experience of booking through Qunomedical, what it was like to travel abroad, as well as some insider tips for future patients.