About:
- Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a type of hair transplant done by taking individual hair follicles from your skin and moving them to another part of your body where hair’s thinner or absent.
- FUE has become more popular than the follicular unit transplantation (FUT) procedure, which led to the “hair plugs” look.
- Surgeons use micropunches to extract single follicles and move them, leaving behind almost no signs of extraction.
Safety:
- The FUE procedure is considered safe with minor possible side effects, such as tiny white scars where follicles were extracted. In extremely rare cases, there can be infection or tissue death where the surgery was done.
- You may experience temporary side effects that go away a few days after treatment. Side effects may include swelling, bruising, and sensitivity.
Convenience:
- FUE is often done in multiple 2 to 4 hour sessions over the course of several days. In rare cases, a “mega session” may last 10 to 12 hours.
- FUE is an outpatient procedure, so you can typically go home after each procedure.
- You don’t have to interrupt your daily routine too much after FUE. But don’t immerse the area in water or do any rigorous exercise for about a week.
- Almost any type of surgeon is qualified to do a hair transplant surgery. You may want to consult with a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss or is certified in hair transplant surgery.
Cost:
- Hair transplants cost between $4,000 to $15,000 per session.
- The cost can vary widely based on how much hair is being transplanted and how experienced your surgeon is.
Effectiveness:
- Hair transplanted into a new area of your body typically begins growing back in about 3 to 4 months.
- You can expect about
10 to 80 percent of the transplanted hair to grow back.
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplants are done by taking individual hair follicles out of your skin and implanting them elsewhere on your body. This will make the hair in the new area look thicker.
FUE was meant to replace the “classic” follicular unit transplantation (FUT) technique. This procedure was done by taking an entire piece of skin or scalp along with the follicles and transplanting the skin on the target area.
FUE has become more popular than FUT because it’s less likely to lead to a “hair plug” look, where sections of skin or hair don’t match the surrounding areas. It also won’t leave a large scar like FUT does.
The best candidate for a FUE hair transplant is someone with thinning hair or balding who still has enough hair nearby to use for a transplant.
You may not be eligible for a FUE hair transplant if you don’t have enough healthy or thick hair to transplant to the thinning or balding area.
A FUE hair transplant costs between $4,000 and $15,000 per session. A multiple-session procedure may cost up to $50,000 or more.
The ultimate cost of a FUE hair transplant depends on:
- how much hair is extracted and transplanted
- how many surgeons are available in your area to do this procedure
- how frequently your surgeon can perform FUE hair transplants
- how experienced or in-demand your surgeon is
You’ll likely need to pay for a FUE hair transplant out of pocket because most health insurance plans don’t cover cosmetic procedures like this.
You’ll also need to cover prescription medications for pain or other possible side effects that may result from the procedure.
You should factor in time off work for recovery when considering the cost. This can mean 3 to 4 days at home. Most companies don’t cover hair transplants under medical leave policies.
As you get older, the three-phase cycle of hair growth and regrowth shortens until follicles no longer regrow hairs.
This process is different for everyone. Some people start balding in their 20s, while others bald much later in life.
FUE hair transplants restore hair by replacing these old follicles with new follicles that are still able to grow hair.
After the transplant, the follicles will be nourished by blood vessels and begin growing hair in the area that previously had thin hair or balding.
Here’s how the FUE procedure works:
- Your surgeon will shave down the hair in the area where follicles will be removed as well as around the transplant area.
- Using a micropunch tool, they will remove follicles from your skin.
- Your surgeon will then make a series of tiny incisions with a needle or other small, sharp tool where the extracted follicles will be inserted.
- They’ll insert the follicles into the incisions.
- Your surgeon will clean and bandage the area for recovery.
FUE hair transplants are most commonly performed on the scalp.
They can also be done elsewhere on your body where hair is thin or absent. FUE can be done on your arms, legs, and even your genital area.
You won’t experience any scars from a FUE hair transplant other than tiny white dots where follicles were taken out. These may fade over time.
See your doctor if you notice any of the following rare side effects:
- infection symptoms
- drainage or crust where the surgery was done
- pain or swelling around the surgery site
- follicle swelling (folliculitis)
- bleeding from the surgery site
- numbness or tingling near the surgery site
- transplanted hair that doesn’t look like the hair around it
- balding or thinning continues even after the transplant
Recovery from FUE is quick. You may have some swelling or discomfort for about 3 days.
Here are some aftercare instructions your doctor may give you:
- Don’t wash your hair or shower for at least 3 days.
- Use gentle, unscented shampoos for a few weeks once you start washing your hair.
- Take a couple of days off work to help speed up healing.
- Don’t comb or brush your new hair for at least 3 weeks.
- Don’t wear hats, beanies, or other clothing that goes over your head until your doctor says it’s OK.
- Don’t do any strenuous physical activity for at least a week.
Some hairs may fall out during the healing process. This is normal. You’ll probably start to notice a difference after 3 to 4 months.
Depending on the health of your transplanted hair, your hair may not grow back as thick as expected.
Here are some photos of what you can expect from a FUE hair transplant.
Here are some things you may need to do before getting a FUE hair transplant:
- Don’t smoke for at least a day before your surgery.
- Don’t drink alcohol for at least 3 days before your surgery.
- Don’t take aspirin or blood thinners for about 2 weeks before your surgery.
- Don’t take any vitamins or dietary supplements for 2 weeks before your surgery.
- Try to avoid taking antidepressants for about 2 weeks before surgery.
- Don’t get your hair cut before the surgery.
- Do a scalp massage 10 to 30 minutes every day for a few weeks to increase blood flow to your scalp.
- Take any medications, such as minoxidil (Rogaine), that your surgeon asks you to take.
- Have an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests done before surgery.
Try the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery’s (ISHRS) Find a Doctor tool to locate a physician who specializes in hair restoration near you.
You can also use the directory on the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery’s (ABHRS) website to find a doctor who’s certified in hair restoration based on the rigorous criteria of the ABHRS.
FAQs
Is 3000 grafts alot for hair transplant? ›
The number of grafts a patient will need for a hair transplant depends on the thickness of their current hair. The quality of the donor hair will also play a part in the total number needed for an aesthetic appearance. For the average hair transplant, this amount is between 1000 and 3000 grafts.
How much does 2000 grafts cover? ›How much area do 2000 grafts cover? 2000 grafts can cover about 8% of all scalp areas. In other words, 2000 grafts can fully cover the frontal angle and frontal hairline.
How much is 3000 hair grafts? ›The cost of 3000 grafts hair transplant surgery ranges from $1,800 to $2,500.
How much is 4000 hair grafts? ›A 4,000-follicle FUE hair transplant in Turkey can cost under $2,000, which is a steal compared to the $15,000 or more in the US.
How much does 5000 hair grafts cover? ›For some perspective, it takes around 5,000 – 6,000 grafts to cover an entirely bald scalp “front to back” with adequate density. Most patients see us before they reach this level of hair loss. Most have thinning isolated to certain areas of the scalp, and this is all we need to address.
How much does 4000 grafts cover? ›In general, if you're wondering, how many grafts do I need for FUE, the average hair transplant consists of 4000 grafts. This is usually suitable to cover the front, middle and crown (or vertex) with a decent density of hair.
Can 4000 grafts be transplanted in one session? ›It is estimated that around 4,000 hair grafts can be transplanted in one hair transplant session via the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) method.
What is the result of 4000 grafts hair transplant? ›This means that 4000 hair grafts contain 5,400 to 6,600 hairs approximately, which are enough to cover the front and crown area that has grade 3 or 4 baldness.
How long does 4000 grafts hair transplant take? ›The average 4000 grafts hair transplant procedure usually takes 5-7 hours depending on your hair type and your surgeon's individual experience and preferences.
Is 6000 grafts too much? ›If you don't have any medical condition and you have a sufficient amount of healthy hair follicles in the donor area, yes, 6000 grafts hair transplant operation is safe and recommended by the experts.
How much does 5000 hair grafts cost in usa? ›
5000 grafts hair transplant cost range from $2,000 to $4,000 in which is extremely affordable in comparison to other European countries and the USA because of the government policies and exchange rates.
How much does 3000 grafts look like? ›3000 grafts are able to cover a large portion of the scalp and are usually best performed on those who are looking to restore hair within two to three areas such as the frontal region, hairline, and crown.
Is 800 grafts a lot? ›As a simple guide you can expect hairline hair transplant surgery to require anything between 500-1800 grafts. For crown hair transplant surgery you may require anything between 1000-2500 grafts.
Is 800 hair grafts a lot? ›Typically, we recommend between 800 to 1500 grafts for a hairline.
Is 7000 grafts a lot? ›7000 grafts hair transplant is generally the total capacity of an average donor area, so the patient should be fully eligible and their expectations must be realistic.
Is 8000 grafts a lot? ›Depending on the shape of the hairline and the size of the transplant area, the Grades 7-8 hair loss area usually needs between 6000 and 8000 grafts. In any case, 4000–5000 grafts might be enough to cover the front, middle, and top of the head with a decent amount of hair.
How much does 6000 grafts hair transplant cost in Turkey? ›| Number of Grafts | Prices in France | Prices in Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| 6000 | €6900 | €1500 |
| 7000 | €7900 | €1500 |
| 8000 | €8500 | €1500 |
| 9000 | €9500 | €1500 |
The average person usually has approximately 4000 to 6000 hair grafts available in the donor area. Of course, this number can change from individual to individual.
How much area will 2500 grafts cover? ›What area do 2500 grafts cover? If you are experiencing baldness or thinning at the vertex and have a V, M, or U-shaped hairline, a 2500 grafts hair transplant can be a good option for covering the affected areas. In addition, 2500 grafts can also be suitable to cover the frontal or the crown area.
How much does 5000 grafts hair transplant cost in Turkey? ›In Turkey, a 3000 grafts hair transplant cost ranges between $1,800 and $2,100. It should be noted that the hair transplant cost in Turkey is determined by the type of treatment chosen. On the other hand, 5000 grafts hair transplant cost can come around between $2,500 and $4,300.
What is Grade 7 baldness? ›
Grade7 hair loss – It is a severe kind of hair loss where most parts of the scalp become bald. The patient may experience total baldness other than the back side of the head.
Can pubic hair be used for hair transplant? ›Although it might not seem like a desirable option, it is possible for a surgeon to perform the procedure in reverse, taking hair from the pubic area and transplanting it to the scalp or other part of the body.
Why transplanted hair looks different? ›The Weird Phase
When the grafted hair doesn't match the rest of the hair, Dr. Umar explained it's because the follicles have been through a lot of change and need time to adjust. In other words, within two to three weeks after the procedure, the transplanted hair will fall out to make way for new hair.
You will not go bald after a hair transplant surgery because of the nature of the hair follicles, which are transplanted and are taken from the back and sides of your head, making them less susceptible to balding. However, the transplanted hair may turn thin over time as hair follicles don't last a lifetime.
How long does 5000 grafts hair transplant take? ›One of the most important factors for patients is the length of the hair transplant procedure. Because it is a more complex procedure, 5000 graft hair transplant operations take longer than standard hair transplant procedures and can be completed in 7-9 hours on average.
How many grafts survive after transplant? ›Studies reported that survival rates of grafts are about 90% to well over 100%. However, a few doctors reach 100% graft survival when performed in ideal circumstances. In other cases, graft survival might drop well below 100%, according to many experienced hair transplant surgeons.
How many grafts can you transplant in a lifetime? ›Typically, the total lifetime donor capacity ranges from 3000 to 6000 follicular units if one proceeds with only FUE procedures. In contrast, strip excisions allow for a total donor capacity of 5000 to 8000 follicular units.
What's the maximum hair grafts in one session? ›FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) allows for the transplantation of up to 2,000 hair grafts in a single session. Each hair graft typically contains two hairs, equating to approximately 4,000 follicles transplanted by the FUE procedure and 8,000 strands of hair transplanted by the FUT method.
How long does 3500 grafts hair transplant take? ›3500 grafts hair transplant operation usually takes 5-7 hours. The length of the operation might change depending on how your surgeon and hair transplant team operate.
How many grafts is 9000 hairs? ›Most hair transplantation procedures are done in a single day. This time is usually enough to harvest and transplant around 4000 grafts, which corresponds to 6000 - 9000 hairs.
How many hairs does the average graft have? ›
How many hairs in a hair graft? Hair does not grow in only single hair groupings, instead most people's hair will grow in groups of 1, 2, 3 or 4 hairs. These groups of hairs are referred to as a graft. On average, each person has 2 hairs in each hair graft.
How much does 3000 grafts hair transplant cost in Turkey? ›Average price is around € 2500 with “All-Inclusive” package. How much does 3000 grafts hair transplant costs in Turkey? The price for 3000 grafts is between € 1500 – € 5000 in Turkey, depending on the method that will be used and the clinic where the operation will be performed.
Why is hair transplant so cheap in Turkey? ›Turkish clinics typically operate at a much higher capacity, cramming as many surgeries into the day as they can, meaning the procedures are rushed and there is little time between patients to thoroughly clean operating rooms and medical equipment.
Why is hair transplant so expensive in America? ›Hair transplant costs are typically higher than most cosmetic procedures because it is more labor-intensive. the number and size of grafts used. The type of donor site (for example, FUE or FUT). The type of anesthesia.
Who is the best hair transplant surgeon in the United States? ›Daniel McGrath is the current President of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS), the only certification program recognized by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS).
How long do I have to sleep upright after a hair transplant? ›For at least a week after surgery, sleep with your head and back slightly elevated, preferably on a recliner. The first three to four nights have the highest risk of swelling. Sleeping in an elevated position will keep the swelling in your scalp and forehead under control and speed up the recovery.
How many grafts is a lot? ›Even though it is technically possible to transplant as many grafts as needed in one session, transplanting more than 5000 grafts is not recommended. There are several reasons why transplanting more than 5000 grafts in a single session is not recommended.
How much does a 2000 graft hair transplant cost? ›A 2000 graft hair transplant can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $16,000, depending on various factors such as the location of the clinic, the experience of the surgeon, and the type of hair transplant method used. In general, the average cost of a 2000 graft hair transplant in the United States is around $10,000.
How many grafts for widows peak? ›The main factor in determining the cost of a widow's peak hair transplant is the number of grafts you require to restore your hair either side of the peak. Most widow's peak hair transplants will require 500-1800 grafts.
How much does 700 grafts cost? ›On average, most people need 700–1,500 grafts (depending on the degree of hair loss), making the cost between $1,400 and $3,000.
How many grafts does a bald person need? ›
Because hair restoration goals are different for each patient, the number of grafts needed will vary from person to person. In general, however, it's usually anywhere from 600 grafts (for minimal hair loss) to 3,000 or more grafts (for more extensive hair loss).
How long does 1000 grafts take? ›| Norwood Stage | Approximate number of grafts | Estimated hair transplant time |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 500 – 1,000 | ~4 hours |
| 3 | 1,000 – 1,500 | 4-5 hours |
| 4 | 1,200 – 2,000 | 5-6 hours |
| 5 | 1,800 – 2,200 | 6-7 hours |
So, if a patient undergoes surgery with 5000 grafts, a patient will receive 10,000 hair follicles in the balding region. During the surgery, the doctor will transplant hair grafts with a single hair follicle on the anterior side of the scalp to give the hairline a more realistic look.
What if I don't have enough donor hair for transplant? ›If the donor area is insufficient, the beard, chin, shoulder area, leg area or arms can be used as donor area. If the person does not have a disease or problem for the procedure, the donor area is absolutely present. It is not difficult to find a donor area in the human body.
How long does 2000 grafts take? ›Most 2000 graft procedures take around 5-6 hours to perform. This is almost always completed within one day.
What is the result of 3000 grafts hair transplant? ›Typically, a healthy hair graft contains 1 to 5 hair follicles. This means that 3000 hair grafts contain 5,400 to 6,600 hairs approximately, which are enough to cover the front and crown area that has grade 3 or 4 baldness.
Is 3000 grafts good? ›Typically, we recommend between 2500 to 3000 grafts when doing the front half.
How long does 3000 grafts hair transplant take? ›How long does a 3000 graft hair transplant take? It takes around 6-7 hours to complete a 3000 graft hair transplant [2].
Is 3500 hair grafts a lot? ›The hair loss areas generally require about 3000 – 4000+ grafts for a Grade 3 and Grade 3 vertex; and about 3500 – 4500+ grafts for a Grade 4, depending on the hairline design and the size of the transplant area.
How long does 4000 grafts take? ›Repair cases, when done correctly, often take longer. In general at this time we can do 2000 strip grafts in a day, to have more done it would take a second day. We can do 4000 grafts in two consecutive days.
How much does 3000 hair grafts cost in Turkey? ›
In Turkey, a 3000 grafts hair transplant cost ranges between $1,800 and $2,100. It should be noted that the hair transplant cost in Turkey is determined by the type of treatment chosen. On the other hand, 5000 grafts hair transplant cost can come around between $2,500 and $4,300.
How many days after hair transplant can I sleep normally? ›Within one to two weeks, you can start sleeping usually. Within these 7-14 days, the transplanted hair grafts are safe and enrooted in the recipient area. All the suggestions will save you from discomfort, pain, itching, sweating and infection.
How much does 3500 grafts cover? ›What area do 3500 grafts cover? 3500 grafts can cover the bald areas defined for the late stage of Norwood scale 3 and earlier stages of the Norwood scale 4. These stages indicate a deeply receding hairline with U, V, or M shapes and a bald or thinned area at the top of the head.
How much area can 2500 grafts cover? ›What area do 2500 grafts cover? If you are experiencing baldness or thinning at the vertex and have a V, M, or U-shaped hairline, a 2500 grafts hair transplant can be a good option for covering the affected areas. In addition, 2500 grafts can also be suitable to cover the frontal or the crown area.