Introduction

Follicular Unit Extraction may be defined as the removal of individual follicular groupings from a donor area for the purposes of reimplantation into balding areas. This method obviates the use of the “strip method” of donor harvesting and thus represents a radical departure from what has been considered “State of the Art”.

The great power of this novel technique may be appreciated by the simple fact that it actually changed the classic definition of the “donor area” forever. No longer limited to a zone within the occipital and lateral areas of the head, the definition now includes far greater areas of scalp, as well as body hair from chest, back, arms and legs. Millions of patients who were deemed unqualified for hair transplantation now have a real chance to enjoy the benefits of modern hair restoration surgery.

It is interesting to note that the introduction and popularity of FUE has brought the field of hair transplantation full circle; for at its core, FUE is basically a re-invention of the much vilified “plug” procedure… punch tool and all…only smaller.

The fact is, while there is some resemblance to the plug harvesting of yesteryear, the unique dynamics and mechanics of FUE are vastly different due to its smaller scale, and must therefore be studied and understood prior to attempting an actual surgery. That is the purpose of this book.

This book was designed to acquaint the reader with an overview of the technique, as well as specific instructions so that an experienced hair transplant surgeon can successfully add FUE to their practice quickly and responsibly.

Chapters

• Pre-Operative Preperation
• Basics of FUE Hair Transplantation
• Dynamics of FUE
• Angulation of Grafts
• Comparing FUE Grafts Extracted
• FUE Hair Transplant Transection
• Hair Transplant Graft Abandonment