FUE – Follicular Unit Extraction

Follicular unit extraction, or FUE, is a technique where the naturally occurring follicular groupings, called follicular units, are surgically removed or “extracted” using a very tiny punch, typically around 1 mm or less in diameter. The advantage of this technique is that follicular unit grafts can be individually harvested without a linear surgical incision, and hence without the creation of a linear scar. FUE is especially useful for patients who prefer very short hairstyles (e.g. hair length less than a ½ inch), where a linear scar would be visible.

In our practice we utilize a variety of state-of-the-art FUE systems, depending on individual patient parameters; these include the Harris S.A.F.E. System, the Cole Vortex Dissection Device, the Devroye WAW FUE System, various manual extraction devices and a host of different punch designs and sizes.

The below macro photographs show the naturally occurring follicular groupings, or follicular units (upper left), and an FUE punch in alignment with a follicular unit during the FUE scoring process (upper right). The lower macro photograph shows a four follicle FUE graft containing a tiny telogen follicle on the right side of the graft.

Over the past several years, there have been numerous innovations in Follicular Unit Extraction technology, which have increased the efficiency and efficacy of this technique; allowing physicians to obtain higher quality follicular unit grafts in a shorter period of time. The present technology is in a state of active evolution, where new and better options are being continually added.

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