Fue hair transplantation is a modern hair transplantation method in which hair follicles are taken one by one and transplanted to the balding area. In this technique, hair follicles are collected precisely with special tipped micro motor devices. The reason why the Fue method is popular is that natural results can be obtained without leaving any scars. The fact that there is no need for a surgical incision during the procedure allows patients to experience a more comfortable process.

In very old years, hair transplantation was performed with the FUT method by cutting the skin in the form of a strip from the back of the head. However, this method has been almost completely abandoned today. Because the FUE technique has become the most popular hair transplantation method since the early 2002s. In this article, we will give general information about fue hair transplantation.

What is the FUE hair transplant method and how is it applied?

There are two main stages of a fue hair transplant operation. These are;

  • 1)Removal of hair from the donor area (can be done in two ways as FUE and FUT)
  • 2)Transplantation of the harvested hair follicles to the recipient area (canalization and dhi hair transplantation can also be performed)

In the old FUT technique, a strip-shaped piece was first taken and then this piece was divided into follicular units. But the FUT technique is no longer practiced very much today. It has been replaced by a more modern method, FUE. The FUE method was thought of because of the discomfort caused by FUT scarring.

In the AHD clinic founded by Dr. Hakan Doğanay, graft harvesting has been performed exclusively with the FUE method since 2007.

In fact, FUE is the name of the 1st stage of hair transplantation, which is the way of harvesting from the donor area. In other words, it has nothing directly to do with graft transplantation, which is the 2nd stage. However, both in the world and in Turkey, this term is generally used for the 2nd stage.

UE is named after the initials of Folicular Unit Extraction. Grafts are found in follicular units containing 1-4 hair follicles. On average, one graft contains between 2-2.5 hair follicles. In this technique, the scalp is not cut into strips to collect the grafts from the donor area. It is removed one by one with the help of special tools. Now let’s look at how the grafts are obtained with the fue method.

Step-by-step FUE hair transplant

  1. Preparation
  2. Collection of grafts
  3. Hairline design
  4. Opening channels in the receiving area
  5. Placement of the grafts

We will now examine these stages one by one.

General preparation before the operation

Before hair transplantation, a general evaluation of the patient is made and it is decided whether the patient is suitable for the operation. This is the subject of another article. In a person who is considered suitable for FUE hair transplantation;

  • The number of grafts required is determined at the end of the examination.
  • Hair is shaved to 1m. It is a routine practice to shave the hair before hair transplantation. However, in some exceptional cases, unshaven hair transplantation can also be performed.
  • The number of grafts that can be taken from the donor area is calculated.
  • The area where the grafts will be harvested is marked with a pencil. In the next step, hair follicles will be collected one by one from the donor area.
  • The marked area is anesthetized with local anesthesia. Local anesthesia lasts 5-10 minutes. The aim is that the patient does not feel pain when the grafts are removed.

Where is the donor area used in the FUE method?

The main purpose of hair transplantation is to transplant healthy hair follicles that are resistant to hair loss to the recipient area. Therefore, the strongest hair follicles should be transplanted. The hair follicles between the two ears at the back of the head are the strongest. These strong hairs are always the first choice in the Fue method. However, if the balding area is very large, these donor hairs may not be sufficient in number. In this case, follicles can also be taken from alternative hair follicles with the fue method. As donor area sources;

  1. First choice: Nape hair at the back of the head
  2. Hair transplantation from body hair can be used as alternative donor sites.

Collection of grafts from the donor area

Grafts can be obtained in 3 different methods from the donor area anesthetized with local anesthesia. Grafts are found in follicular units containing 1-4 hair follicles. On average, there are 2-2.5 hair follicles in one graft.

follicular unit extraction

The three methods of collecting hair grafts are applied with the same logic. These are

  • Micro motor
  • Manual method and
  • Artas is a robotic device.

At the manual or micromotor end there is a circular tube with a hollow center and a sharp tip called a punch. Punch diameter is usually between 0.7 – 1 mm. The punch diameter should be selected according to the graft thickness. The punch is inserted 3-4 mm into the skin to center the hair follicle. This punch rotates around the graft in a circular motion and the hair follicle becomes free. The liberated hair follicle is removed one by one with the help of pliers. Since the cuts are very small in diameter, they heal quickly within a few days.

The grafts are collected in a glass container called a petri dish containing saline fluid. The purpose of the liquid in the glass container is to keep the roots wet and moist. Otherwise, the roots will dry out and die before the transplantation adheres. The hair collected in the glass container is now ready to be transplanted to its new location.

Considerations in graft harvesting

  • Hair follicles in the donor area are in a slightly tilted position, not upright. Therefore, the skin should be entered in accordance with the exit angle of the roots. If this is not done, the rate of damaged grafts increases due to incorrect graft harvesting.
  • There is a bounded area from the donor area as a safe area. Graft extraction should not be performed outside the safe area. Because hair follicles outside the safe area are not strong and have the potential to fall out. However, grafts within the safe zone are the most resistant to shedding because they are insensitive to testosterone.
  • If the micromotor rotation speed is too high, other surrounding follicles may also be damaged.
  • Homogenous grafts should be taken equally from every square centimeter in the donor area.
  • Everyone has a separate graft capacity according to hair density. If the capacity is exceeded and an excessive amount of grafts are taken, deformity occurs in the donor area. Since graft resources are consumed in excessive graft harvesting, there will not be enough grafts for a second session or revision.

As can be seen, if the above-mentioned rules are not followed, very bad images can occur in the donor area. If the donor capacity is sufficient, 2000-2500 grafts can be harvested in 2 hours with the micro motor. This number is usually lower because manual harvesting is slower.

The design of the front hairline

In people whose front line has disappeared or regressed, a natural hairline should be designed if hair transplantation is planned in this area. A hairline that is compatible with the person’s age, facial structure, number of grafts and expectations should be created. However, thanks to the surgeon’s artistic talent, a personalized line can be designed. If an incorrectly designed hairline is created too far back or too low, natural results cannot be obtained. The front hairline design will be described in detail in another article.

Channel opening process

After the graft collection process and the design of the front hairline, it is time to transplant the follicles. First of all, the recipient area where the grafts are planned to be placed is sterilized with antiseptics. Local anesthesia is then applied to this area. With the application of anesthesia, there will be no pain during the hair transplantation process. In some patients, anesthesia can be performed by sedation instead of local anesthesia.

After anesthesia, micro channels used to be opened with steel-tipped slits for the new location of the hair follicles. But now, very thin and sharp blades called Sapphire are used in the canal opening process. Micro channels are opened in the recipient area equal to the number of grafts collected. Since the channels opened are very thin, they heal quickly within a few days.

  • The canal opening process must be performed by an experienced hair surgeon. Because the opening of the channels is one of the most important stages of the fue method. The hair will grow in the same direction and angle as the canals are opened. If the canals are opened at the wrong angle and direction, a natural appearance will not occur. If there is no complete baldness and the person has his/her own hair, channels should be opened at an angle and direction parallel to the direction of hair growth.
  • In addition, the depth of the channels should be compatible with the length of the grafts.

Graft Placement

Now it is time for the final stage of fue hair transplantation. Grafts are placed one by one into the opened micro channels with the help of hair transplant pliers. This stage is usually performed by technicians. Two technicians can work from the right and left side of the patient. If the technician is inexperienced, the grafts may be damaged during placement.

Advantages of the Fue technique

  • Hair transplantation with the FUE method is minimally invasive. Because there is no linear scar as in the FUT method. A very small punctate scar is formed during graft harvesting. Since these scars are small, they heal in a short time.
  • Both men and women can undergo hair transplantation with the FUE method. However, the unshaven dhi method is more advantageous in women in all respects.
  • In applications such as beard, mustache and eyebrow transplantation , grafts are obtained from the donor area with the fue technique.
  • In hair transplantation with the FUT method, it is not appropriate to keep the nape area hair short. Because the linear scar is definitely visible. However, there is no such scar in the FUE method. Therefore, the fu technique is much more ideal for those who want to keep their hair short.
  • Since grafts are collected from a larger area compared to the FUT method, a higher number of grafts can be obtained.
  • Since there are no incisions and stitches, pain is felt less after fue hair transplantation.

What are the risks and side effects of the FUE method?

All of the side effects that can occur in the FUE method depend on the incompetence of the doctor and technicians who perform the operation. The most important risks are as follows.

  • Bald and poorly visible areas in the donor area due to excessive graft harvesting
  • Unnatural appearance due to faulty hairline and improper opening of the channels
  • Root loss due to graft placement errors and the resulting sparse appearance

As you can see, if you go with a hair surgeon who has proven himself in hair transplantation, you will be less likely to encounter unwanted complications.

Process after FUE hair transplant

Immediately after the hair transplantation, the healing process begins rapidly. During the healing period, simple complications that can be considered normal will occur. These are simple complications such as redness, crusting and swelling at the scalp. These may occur during the 10-day healing period and then disappear.

The transplanted hair starts to be washed from the first days. It is expected that the scabs will disappear with washing between days 8-10. If possible, it is useful to have the first wash at the clinic where the operation is performed.

After two weeks, the transplanted hair starts to fall out. This condition called shock shedding is also temporary. In Fue hair transplantation, shock shedding can last for about 2 months.

When does the hair transplanted with the Fue technique grow?

From the 3rd month, the transplanted hair starts to grow again. At the end of 4 months, the expected result is 30%. So the image is quite sparse. On average, hair grows 1 cm per month. Even the first hairs that grow are as thin as baby hair. At the end of the 6th month, 60 percent of the hair is expected to grow.

It becomes denser in volume in the 7th-8th months. Numerically, 70-80% of the transplanted hair is expected to grow. The full result is realized in 12 months.

After Fue hair transplantation, we recommend you to apply the support treatments recommended by your doctor. A good care after the operation will positively affect the result.

Fue hair transplant prices in Turkey

Prices may vary depending on the degree of Norwood hair loss, the number of grafts to be transplanted and the experience and reputation of the doctor.

The FUE method is more expensive than FUT hair transplantation. Some doctors charge per graft, while others give a single price.

For the year 2025, average fue hair transplant prices in Turkey vary between 2.000 – 7.000 USD. Average prices in the United States are between 5,000-15,000 USD.

Is the Fue method painful?

There is pain only during local anesthesia. The pain in the Fue method is equivalent to the pain you feel during tooth extraction if you have had a tooth extracted before. After anesthesia, there is no other pain during graft harvesting or transplantation.

Who is suitable for hair transplantation with Fue method?

On some websites, it is written that this procedure can be performed on anyone over the age of 18. This is not true. Fue hair transplantation is only performed on suitable people. FUE hair transplantation is performed on those whose donor area hair is suitable and strong.

In addition, there should be a logical proportion between the number of grafts to be transplanted and the width of the recipient area. In black people and those with very curly hair, the rate of loss due to incision may be high when taking grafts from the donor area. Because the part of the hair under the skin is also curved and curly. For this reason, the fut method is more suitable for black people instead of fue hair transplantation.

Are the results permanent in fue hair transplantation?

The stronger the hair in the donor area, the stronger and more permanent the hair in the transplanted area. Hair outside the safe area has the potential to fall out.

Will hair grow again from the donor area?

The answer to this question is simply no. Since the hair will be taken from the donor area together with its root, there is no hair regrowth. For this, a homogeneous intake should be made while taking grafts. Also, more grafts should not be taken more than necessary.

Does Fue hair transplantation look natural?

Naturalness in hair transplantation depends entirely on the artistic skill of the doctor and the training of the assistant technicians. Of course, it is possible to get natural results if the hair follicles are placed in the right directions with the correct hairline.