Hair grafting using the FUE (Follicular unit extraction) scarless technique

Small amounts of hair loss are normal (on average 100 per day), as each hair follows a hair cycle alternating between growth and loss. Each hair is thus "programmed" to go through 20 to 25 cycles before dying. This loss is then definitive, and the hair cannot regenerate.

Inandrogenetic alopecia, this hair cycle is accelerated under the effect of hormonal metabolites derived from male testosterone: hair loss and baldness therefore occur earlier. This is why it can be seen in men as young as 20 years of age, with the temporal lobes initially affected.

Androgenic alopecia is rarer in women, as they are "protected" by their estrogens. But the situation changes at menopause, with the collapse of estrogens and the consequent relative increase in androgens.
In the event of permanent baldness, the only solution is hair transplantation with implants.

For Dr Christelle Santini, there is no single "best" technique for treating baldness. Each technique can be adapted to the individual patient's baldness, extent and desires.

There are two methods for harvesting hair grafts for implantation: FUE (follicular unit extraction) or FUT (strip extraction). FUE transplantation takes longer, but does not leave any scars.

The grafts are always taken from the Hippocratic crown above the nape of the neck, as the hair remains fine and full of vitality even in advanced androgenic alopecia with baldness on the rest of the head. The hair implants are then transposed to the balding areas of the forehead, vertex and tonsure.

An initial appointment with Dr. Santini will enable us to carry out a medical and artistic examination of your baldness. She will ascertain why hair is falling out and what are the best solutions for treating baldness according to your goals.

She pays particular attention to the structure and shape of your hair, as frizzy hair is not a good indication for single follicular grafting.

Indeed, harvesting frizzy hair often alters the hair root, and therefore the vitality of the hair implant to be grafted.

For this type of hair, Dr Santini recommends a flap graft or FUT (flap technique).
Medical photographs are taken.

You will need to have a blood test and submit the signed estimate, respecting the 15-day medical-legal time limit between the first consultation and the hair transplant.

No aspirin-containing medication should be taken for 10 days prior to surgery.

In FUE hair transplantation, each individual graft is harvested directly from the Hippocratic crown using a punch less than a millimetre in size (0.8 and 0.9 mm), before being re-implanted into the desired area using a needle. These capillary implants do not require general anesthesia or overnight hospitalization.

When you arrive at Dr. Christelle Santini's practice, you will be greeted by the surgeon's assistant, who will give you a pre-medication to relax you. You will then be placed in a small, sterile operating theatre, dressed appropriately.

After shaving and disinfecting the hippocratic sampling area, the procedure can begin.

First of all, you'll lie on your stomach to take the sample (hair by hair for FUE).

This is a meticulous stage, during which each graft is checked by the assistant to ensure its viability, before being placed in a sterile saline solution until grafting.

Once all the grafts have been removed, you are placed in a sitting position for implantation.

It is performed with a needle, one by one, graft by graft, with a very precise technical gesture to ensure a good grip of the graft, and artistic to restore a beautiful hair with predefined contours.

The procedure takes between 4 and 6 hours, depending on the number of hairs implanted.

For maximum comfort, Dr Santini offers a varied selection of films and magazines, as well as a snack served during or after the session.

At the end of the transplant, you will leave with your transplanted hair and no bandage.

The patient should plan to take 4 to 8 days off work.

Shampooing is permitted 4 days after FUE grafting.

Some tension and pain may persist for a few days, but will be relieved by the prescription of painkillers.

There's no need to worry if there's swelling, crusting or even hair loss in the first few days: the hair implants are provided by the follicular bulb, which will rest for a few months before the hair grows back.

Sports activities can be gradually resumed from the 3rd week post-op.

A follow-up visit with your plastic surgeon will take place 10 days after the procedure.

For FUE micrografting, a small scab usually forms on each graft, which falls off between 8 and 10 days. The grafted hair falls off with the scab and grows back between the second and third month. They grow at a rate of around 1 cm per month.

A period of 3 to 6 months is therefore required to assess the results of micrografting at the hair implant unit.
Depending on the case, several procedures (at least 6 months apart) may be required to achieve sufficient hair density.

As a result, there is NO scarring either in the donor area or in the implanted area.

• Same-day return home after hair transplant.
• 4 to 7 days of professional downtime.
• Hair regrowth from 3 months.
• No scars are visible in FUE transplants.

What to do before a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant?

• 1 to 2 consultations with your plastic surgeon, including the taking of medical photographs
• Delivery and signature of the estimate, respecting the 15-day legal deadline between the first consultation and the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant.
• Anesthesia consultation and blood test, if required

How is a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant performed?

• Local anesthesia, usually with premedication, or neuroleptanalgesia.
• 3 to 6 hours of surgery depending on the amount of hair transplanted.
• Single hair transplant, without scarring.
• Return home the same day.

What is the post-operative course of an FUE scarless hair transplant?

• Shampoo from day 4.
• Follow-up visit with your plastic surgeon 7 to 10 days after the procedure.
• Sport cessation after Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplantation for 3 weeks.
• Allow 4 to 7 days off work after a scarless Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant.
• Normal hair loss for the first few days, and hair regrowth from 3 months.
• Final result after 1 year.