FUE Hair Transplant

What is FUE?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a surgical hair transplant technique in which individual hair follicles are harvested one at a time from the donor scalp using tiny circular punch tools measuring less than a millimeter in diameter. These follicles are then transplanted into areas of thinning or baldness, where they grow permanently as natural hair.

Because no strip of scalp is removed, FUE leaves no linear scar—only small dot-like marks in the donor area that are invisible with normal hair length and imperceptible even with short styles for most patients.

The FUE Process

FUE is performed over one or more sessions under local anesthesia. The donor area (typically the back and sides of the scalp) is trimmed, and follicles are individually extracted using precision punch instruments. Each follicle is inspected, sorted, and carefully preserved in a holding solution. Dr. Kieu then creates recipient sites in the thinning or balding area according to a planned hairline design, taking care to replicate natural growth angles and density. Follicles are placed graft by graft into these sites.

Advantages of FUE

• No linear scar—ideal for patients who wear short hair
• Faster recovery than FUT
• Less post-operative discomfort in the donor area
• Can harvest from multiple body areas if scalp donor supply is limited
• Well-suited for smaller sessions, touch-ups, or hairline refinement

FUE vs. FUT

FUE is preferred when patients want flexibility in hairstyle length, require a smaller number of grafts, or have had prior FUT and need additional coverage. FUT may be recommended when a larger number of grafts is needed in a single session, as it allows more follicles to be harvested efficiently. Dr. Kieu will discuss both options at your consultation and help you determine which is best for your goals and donor characteristics.

Timeline

Transplanted hairs enter a resting phase and shed within the first 2–4 weeks—this is normal and expected. New growth begins at 3–4 months, with significant improvement by 6 months and full results visible at 9–12 months.

Ideal Candidates

• Patients with androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss)
• Those with a healthy, sufficient donor zone
• Patients who prefer no linear scar and shorter recovery
• Good general health and realistic growth timeline expectations