What Perks are There in Modern Hair Transplantation Methods?

Strip Farming and Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Restoration Strategies

Two methods are popularly used today by hair restoration surgeons and clinics for balding
patients. One is called strip harvesting and it particularly involves removing a strip of the scalp
from a healthy area to a thinning area of the head. The other is called the follicular unit extraction
method.

What Does Follicular Unit Extraction Method Entail?

Follicular unit extraction, FUE, is a surgical procedure where 1 to 4 hairs are extracted unitarily by
way of making a tiny cut into the scalp's skin. The process is repeated until there are enough of
these units to make a successful transplantation to the recipient area, be it a balding area, or facial
hair replacement.

Since the follicles are transplanted into the recipient area by use of very tiny cuts, there is very
little pain associated with FUE. Pain associated with this surgical process is also minimized by use
of local anesthesia before operation. Compared to strip harvesting transplantation method, this
method is faster and less painful.

Although there are lots of benefits accrued to using the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method, it
usually takes a lot of time to complete. This is because individual hair follicles need to be extracted
from the patient's scalp in very small units. Harvesting alone is a lot of work and much time is
spent in order to have enough hairs for transplanting.

It is good to note that quality clinics do not just operate before they examine and evaluate different
hair loss cases for eligibility purposes. Usually, series of diagnostic tests are carried out just so s
to ensure that it is the best possible solution that is being pursued.

Are there any disadvantages of surgical hair restoration methods?

Whether a patient opts for the strip harvesting method or the FUE hair transplantation methods,
side effects can still be felt a few days after the operation. In most cases, patients still report
excessive hair thinning also known as shock loss on the area where hair was transplanted. This,
however, is normal and temporary.

Shock loss is usually experienced about 2 to 3 weeks following a successful procedure and can be
expected to last few more weeks. For patients to be able to bear the side effects, proper post-
operative care should be observed. If the condition prevails beyond what is common among
majority of patients, then medical intervention must be sought after.

Both strip harvesting method and FUE, therefore, have their own advantages and disadvantages.

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When deciding which procedure to choose, it is important for patients to consider their budget. For
instance, the strip harvesting method is cheaper compared to follicular unit extraction.

When it comes choosing which hair transplantation method to go for, a patient needs to consider
their own preference and the doctor's evidence. Other considerations include expected results,
speed of recovery and formation of scars. Side effects like hair shock loss are not easily
predictable. Hair restoration clinics like Haarklinikken have more in-depth information on both
types of treatments.

As much as surgical hair restoration procedures have become quite popular in modern times in
restoring natural hair appearances in a short span of time, they still have a few side effects
accrued. It is best to have real expectations when availing of these types of treatments; and it is
also recommended to educate one's self about all the pro's and con's of such procedures before
going into the actual treatment.

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