There are two methods used at Barr Plastic Surgery to harvest the donor hairs: The strip method and follicular unit extraction.
Single Strip Harvesting:
In single strip harvesting, the donor strip is removed and includes many, sometimes thousands, of follicular units. The strip is then divided into smaller graft sections using stereoscopic microscopes that allow magnified visual control over the dissecting procedure. This level of magnification avoids the cutting or damaging of precious hair follicles. These sections are then further dissected into individual follicular units, each containing one, two or three individual hairs. The donor site is left with a tiny scar that is covered by your surrounding hair and completely undetectable.
Follicular Unit Extraction
One of the most recent advancements in surgical hair restoration, the follicular unit extraction method uses a process of harvesting where the follicular units are extracted directly from the donor area. This avoids the linear incision caused by the single strip harvesting method. The small wounds caused during the extraction process do not require suturing and heal within one week. The transplantation of the individual follicular units is no different than the one used with the single strip harvesting method.
FUE leaves a virtually imperceptible mark in the donor area and physical activities can be immediately resumed post operatively. Patients are able to wear a very short hair style without worrying about the linear incision scar resulting from the single strip harvesting method.
The disadvantages of FUE is that there is a risk of cutting or damaging follicles during the extraction process, which can cause decreased growth in transplanted follicles and a decrease in overall effectiveness of the procedure. For these reasons, not all clients are candidates for the FUE method of harvesting. It is only recommended certain situations and under certain conditions which can be determined only during the consultation process.
Some situations where FUE may be recommended:
- Patients present with only limited hair loss
- Patient requires only a small area treated
- Patients who like to wear their hair very short
- Patients with very low donor supply, a scarred donor area or very tight scalps
- Patients who tend to heal with wide scars
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