Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, is a minimally invasive technique used in hair transplantation in which individual follicular units are removed directly from the donor area as opposed to the standard strip excision in which a strip of hair is removed from the scalp and then dissected into individual follicular units under the microscope. Each follicular unit, which is the naturally occurring grouping of one to four hairs, is removed through a small circular punch excision measuring just 1mm or smaller in size.

There are many advantages to FUE, the main advantage being that this technique eliminates the need for a linear incision and thus results in minimal scarring. This makes it an ideal procedure for individuals who wear their hair very short or shave their head. This often includes African American patients and patients of other ethnic groups. This technique can also be a good choice for individuals who have a very tight scalp, who have previously experienced poor scarring from strip harvesting, or those who are looking to camouflage a widened linear donor scar from a prior transplant. One disadvantage is that the total amount of obtainable donor hair can be more limited with FUE than with the standard strip excision and, as such, FUE may not be advantageous for those requiring a very large number of grafts.

Dr. Harris performs the FUE procedure at his fully accredited surgical facility in the Center for Aesthetic Modernism. Located in Chevy Chase, Maryland, the Center is convenient to all metro Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia areas. The process takes approximately four to eight hours to complete and local anesthesia is used. During the procedure, each follicular unit is removed from the bald-resistant donor area on the patient through a small round punch excision of 1mm or less in size. No stitches are needed. These grafts are then placed into the bald or thinning area.

Compared to other techniques, FUE typically involves less post-operative discomfort and decreased healing time in the donor area. Most patients are able to return to work the very next day. While the punch device does leave a tiny wound in the donor area, this contracts as it heals over the next few days and ultimately results in a tiny, round, unnoticeable scar.

Dr. Harris uses NeoGraft© technology which allows for automated FUE hair transplantation.