St. Louis Hair Restoration specializes in Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplant Surgery. With our expertise and experience, we have helped countless patients achieve thicker, fuller hair with FUE in St. Louis.
As the most advanced technique for hair transplantation, FUE uses advanced micro-punch to harvest grafts with a small incision around the follicle that is lifted from the scalp with forceps.
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair-transplant surgery is a technique that is capable of providing natural-looking and permanent results. This minimally invasive hair-restoration procedure requires no scalpels and no sutures, and it does not leave a linear scar on the scalp.
This allows FUE to offer improved aesthetic results. At St. Louis Hair Restoration, we understand how big of a positive impact great hair-restoration results can have on a person’s self-esteem.
The hairs on the scalp naturally grow in small clusters. These groups of hairs are referred to as follicular units and typically contain anywhere between one and four hairs.
Follicular unit extraction is an approach to hair transplantation that involves harvesting multiple follicular units from areas of the scalp that have an abundance of hairs. These fully intact follicular units are transplanted to an area of the scalp where thinning or balding has occurred.
Good candidates for FUE hair transplant surgery in St. Louis are men and women experiencing noticeable hair thinning or loss who have not found success with non-surgical treatments. Male pattern baldness and diffuse thinning are among the most common reasons patients in Kirkwood and the greater St. Louis area seek evaluation.
Ideal candidates have a sufficient donor hair supply, stable hair loss patterns, and good overall health. Patients with active scalp conditions or bleeding disorders may not be suitable. Dr. Pawlinga evaluates each patient individually during consultation to confirm candidacy and develop a personalized treatment plan.
FUE is performed under local anesthesia. The donor site where the follicular units are harvested will likely be near the back of the scalp. Instead of taking a long strip of tissue containing multiple follicular units, a special micro-punch tool is used to remove individual follicular units directly from the scalp.
The ability to harvest individual grafts for transplantation allows the surgeon the opportunity to choose the best possible grafts that are most likely to survive, which will in turn provide better results. The harvested follicular units are then carefully and precisely placed on the scalp to ensure a natural appearance.
After extraction, your doctor makes micro-incisions to the recipient area for the grafts to be perfectly placed, one-by-one by hand, for the most natural results. You’ll get a natural hairline with density where you want it most with this technique.
Most patients report little to no discomfort with the FUE procedure. Patients are very comfortable during the hair transplant procedure and generally spend the day working on their laptops, watching movies, or even napping.
The minimally invasive approach used to accomplish FUE hair transplantation means that the FUE recovery period is noticeably shorter compared to older methods of transplantation. The donor area’s micro incisions may be red for a day or two, and the recipient area will appear normal within about seven days. Most patients are able to return to work a day or two following their procedure.
FUE is a minimally invasive procedure with a strong safety record. Most side effects are temporary and resolve on their own as the scalp heals.
Common side effects include mild swelling, redness, and tenderness at both the donor and recipient sites. Small scabs may form around transplanted follicles and typically shed within 1 to 2 weeks.
Temporary shedding of transplanted hairs — known as shock loss — is normal and expected before new growth begins. Serious complications from FUE are rare. Dr. Pawlinga will discuss your individual risk profile during your consultation.
New hair growth begins in about 3 months. The hair will continue to thicken over the coming months with the biggest difference becoming noticeable between about six to nine months. Final results are typically seen in one full year. All of the hair’s natural qualities from color, texture, and growth rate are unchanged as it retains all of the same characteristics that it had in the donor area.
FUE hair transplant surgery is fully customized to address the needs of each individual. The price varies depending on the unique aesthetic goals of each patient. During your consultation, we will perform an assessment of your hair to determine the best hair restoration approach for you. We will then explain the details of your procedure, including the associated costs and financing options.
FUE results are permanent. Transplanted follicles retain the characteristics of the donor area and continue to grow naturally for life.
Contact St. Louis Hair Restoration today to schedule a consultation regarding follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant surgery. Gregg Kreyling, Director of Patient Education, is a hair loss expert with over 15 years of experience meeting patients and helping them reach their hair restoration goals.
“Gregg gave me information that I would have never would have found on my own. He helped me learn the details of hair transplantation so that I could make the best decision for myself.”– Tim B.
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We serve patients throughout Missouri and Illinois, including:
If you’re considering a hair transplant in St. Louis, we’d love to help you understand your options and build a plan that fits your goals.
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