Stands for: Follicular Unit Extraction
Most Popular Choice
Cost: £3,000 – £7,000
FUE Hair Transplant
FUE Hair Transplant - All You Need to Know
A Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that looks to promote new hair growth on your scalp and/or face. Whether you are concerned about your receding hairline, eyebrows, or beard, an FUE treatment is often the perfect solution for many causes of thinning hair.
All of our hair transplant procedures, including FUE surgery, crown hair transplant etc, are conducted by certified medical professionals with years of experience in hair restoration. Book your free consultation today and end your hair loss concerns!
What is an FUE Transplant?
The FUE transplant procedure looks to take anywhere between 1,000-6,000 individual hair follicles from the donor area and implant them onto the balding/thinning area of your scalp. This treatment, conducted by one of our hair restoration surgeons, in essence “transports” hair that doesn’t get affected by the hormone DHT (which is one of the main causes of hair loss) onto the area of your scalp that requires hair, thus leaving a natural result as it is your own hair that is used.
Why should you get FUE?
Hair loss is a problem that can affect anyone in the UK. In a 1998 study conducted by Rhodes et. al, results showed 42% of men between the ages of 18 and 49 to show signs of extensive hair loss. With the general scientific consensus being that pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is a result of genetics, this is a problem that many men and women will experience over the course of their lifetime even without external influences such as stress, weight loss, and side effects to medical treatments such as chemotherapy.
What can an FUE Hair Transplant Treat?
Like many medical conditions, there is no singular explanation for hair loss. However, FUE hair transplants can be used to treat a number of different causes for hair loss:
- Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) – Male Pattern Baldness refers to hair loss on the scalp area. Often, MPB begins with frontal receding before the gradual reduction in hair leads to full baldness on the top of the head. As men being to age, this condition can become more and more prominent. As such, an FUE hair transplant can be used to prevent your hair line from receding any further and promote new hair growth.
- Female Pattern Baldness (FPB) – Women can also feel the effects of hair loss just as much as men! Whilst 40% of women have admitted to showing signs of hair loss by the age of 50, this number reaches a staggering 55% by the time they reach 80 (see Yip 2007 & Sinclair 2015). Unlike men, many women report to experiencing hair loss in different places to men. Commonly, Female Pattern Baldness (or FBP) is categorised by visible signs of thinning of hair on the top of the scalp. This is often a result of women who have experienced increased hair shedding or a visible reduction in hair volume.
- Beards and Eyebrows – If you struggle to grow facial hair, or have experienced a loss or thinning of your beard/eyebrow hair, then an FUE hair transplant may be for you. Given that healthy donor hairs are extracted individually (or in small numbers) with FUE, this hair transplant method produces minimal scarring. Where other treatments such as FUT (sometimes referred to as the ‘strip method’) would not be able to treat facial hair problems, FUE is perfect!
Hair Transplant Surgery vs Alternatives
Whilst there are a number of treatments on the market today, an FUE hair transplant offers a long-term and fuller result than its alternatives.
- Medication (such as Finasteride and Minoxidil) – Many patients, before they have come to us, try medication before hair restoration surgery. However, these drugs are dht blockers and thus are used to slow down/stop further hair loss. The down sides are that they can have side effects (such as a decrease in libido) and are a treatment, so ongoing use is required.
- Tattoo Treatments – Whilst tattooing your hair may be a long term solution for those suffering with hair loss, this, unlike a hair transplant, does not stimulate hair growth. Rather, tattoo treatments are designed simply to mask, or hide the true extent, of a patient’s balding. FUE looks to implant healthy hair follicles into your balding area and actually prevent you from losing hair.
- Synthetic Hair Wigs – Like other treatments, many of our other patients suffering with more extreme hair loss have used wigs to mask their hair loss. However, many synthetic wigs are often a short-term solution (typically lasting between 6-9 months) and can be uncomfortable for those wearing them.
- Real Hair Wigs – Whilst real hair wigs are a longer-term solution (lasting up to a couple of years) than their synthetic counterparts, they can often be more expensive and still do not actively counteract your hair loss problems. Choosing to opt for an FUE hair transplant gives you the opportunity to have, and style, your own hair. Not to mention, it’s cheaper in the long term.
How does the procedure work?
After you have received your free consultation with one of our hair transplant surgeons, arrive at our clinic on Harley Street. All our patients receive local anaesthetic during hair transplant surgery. During the surgery, you shouldn’t feel anything more than a little bit of pressure; almost like a head massage!
At the beginning of the procedure, the lead hair transplant surgeon will begin by extracting follicular units from the donor area in natural groups of 1-4 (this is called a hair graft). These grafts, or follicular units, are circled by a tiny 1mm punch enabling an accurate and precise incision to be made. The follicular unit is then grasped gently and pulled away from the loose connective tissue that surrounds the unit under the skin.
Once the hair grafts have been taken, no more preparation is required. These small donor hairs are then implanted into the bald area one by one. This process is then repeated over and over again as desired.
As patients are left with tiny 0.8mm – 1mm scars from follicle extraction, as opposed to other hair surgery treatments which make larger incisions. The FUE recovery time is usually between 6-7 days.
The Four Stages of a FUE Hair transplant
Before an FUE hair transplantation, local anaesthetic is administered, so you won’t feel more than a slight pressure during the procedure
- A Micro Punch tool is used to cut a small circle of skin around the individual follicular unit
- The follicular unit (or graft) is gently prised away from the surrounding loose connective tissue under the skin
- The harvested grafts are sorted according to how many individual hairs in each follicle
- The grafts are then implanted into the balding area of the scalp
Who will do your FUE Transplant?
After your free initial consultation, your FUE hair transplant will be performed by one of our certified hair transplant doctors. All of our procedures are performed by doctors with a little help from our specialist nurses, ensuring you receive quality care and treatment.
What is the difference between FUE and FUT?
There are a number of key differences between the FUT and FUE hair transplant methods.
Often called the ‘strip method’ or ‘strip surgery’, FUT hair transplants take large strips of donor hairs from the patient’s scalp. These strips of hair are then dissected under a microscope before being implanted into the balding area. In comparison, follicular unit excision (FUE) takes much smaller hair grafts from the donor area, not only making it quicker, but leaving most patients with much less scarring than those who have undergone FUT.
Why choose FUE over FUT?
- During procedure, there is less pain involved in FUE than FUT. This is because no major, or large, incisions are required.
- FUE is also a quicker than FUT. This is because no separations need to be made under a microscope as is needed with FUT. This means you can tailor your hair transplant around your busy schedule!
- After the procedure, FUE typically has a much quicker recovery time when compared to FUT. This is because of the reduced scarring made by the 1mm punches. Patients are left with tiny scabs that quickly heal as opposed to large incisions made in the scalp.
Do FUE Hair Transplants hurt?
Patient safety comes first and foremost at our clinic. Some great news is that during the procedure, you should not feel any pain at all. This is because the treatment is done under local anaesthetic. You shouldn’t feel a thing!
After your FUE hair transplant surgery, there may be some slight feelings of discomfort. However, as almost microscopic incisions are made on the scalp, you should not expect to feel any tightness as you would with FUT treatments.
After your procedure, one of our hair transplant surgeons will remain in contact with you and discuss the aftercare process with you extensively. If you have any problems, just get in touch with us!
Results and Aftercare
Following your hair transplantation procedure, you will have access to our post-transplant aftercare program and expert guidance, whenever you need it.
It is important to keep the scalp hydrated during the first few days following the procedure in order to protect against infection and minimise scabbing. We provide full instructions for aftercare and are on hand to answer any concerns following your procedure.
It can take 2 to 3 months for the new follicles to take and naturally grow new hair, so regrowth may be uneven at first, but rest assure, you will soon benefit from thicker looking hair. Although every patient’s recovery time and results may differ, most patients see full natural hair growth around 10 months following their procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Between 2,000 and 4,000 hair follicles are extracted during a FUE hair transplant. Naturally, this depends on the severity and area of baldness.
An FUE hair transplant can cost between £3,000 and £7,000+. Again, this is dependent upon the severity of the baldness as the procedure’s cost is directly related to the number of follicles extracted and implanted. Read more about the cost of an FUE hair transplant
Whilst there may be a small bit of shedding soon after your procedure, you should not suffer hair loss (in the same area) after your new hair transplant, however it can take around 6 months for the new hair to start to grow and thicken.
There can be many causes for hair loss. Whether it be female or male pattern baldness, follicular unit extraction can be used to counteract the effects of thinning hair and premature balding. As well as pattern baldness FUE has been used to treat:
- Baldness as a result of chemical treatments (chemotherapy etc).
- Patients who have experienced facial trauma
- and many more
After you have received your free consultation with one of our hair transplant surgeons, arrive at our clinic on Harley Street or at any other clinic location we have in the UK. During your hair transplant surgery you will receive a local anaesthetic. You shouldn’t feel anything more than a little bit of pressure; almost like a head massage!
During the surgical procedure, your surgeon will take hair follicles from your donor area and place them onto the area you need them most. After the procedure is completed, we provide an aftercare package which contains all the treatments and instructions on what you should post hair transplant.
After your free initial consultation, your FUE hair transplant will be performed by one of our certified hair transplant doctors. All of our procedures are performed by doctors, with a little help from our specialist team of technicians, ensuring you receive high quality care and treatment.
During the procedure, there is less pain involved in FUE than FUT. This is because no major, or large, incisions are required.
FUE is also quicker than FUT. This is because no separations need to be made under a microscope as is needed with FUT. This means you can tailor your hair transplant around your busy schedule!
After the procedure, FUE typically has a much quicker recovery time when compared to FUT. This is because of the reduced scarring made by the 0.8mm – 1mm punches. Patients are left with tiny scabs that quickly heal as opposed to large incisions made in the scalp.
Patient safety comes first and foremost at our clinic. Some great news is that during the procedure, you should not feel any pain at all. This is because the treatment is done under local anaesthetic. You shouldn’t feel a thing!
After your FUE hair transplant surgery, there may be some slight feelings of discomfort. However, as almost microscopic incisions are made on the scalp, you should not expect to feel any tightness as you would with FUT treatments.
After your procedure, one of our hair transplant surgeons will remain in contact with you and discuss the aftercare process with you extensively. If you have any problems, just get in touch with us!
Between 1,000 and 6,000 hair follicles are extracted during a fue hair transplant procedure. It all depends on the size of the thinning area and the quality of the hairs available on your donor area.
An FUE hair transplant can cost between £3,500 and £7,000+. Again, this is dependent upon the severity of the baldness as the procedure’s cost is directly related to the number of follicles extracted and implanted.
Patient Gallery - Hair Transplant Results
Patient Testimonials
Aside from achieving fantastic results, we believe that keeping in touch with our patients before, during and after their hair transplantation procedure is paramount – it helps to keep our patients feeling calm and in control. We’re always on hand to provide guidance, support and aftercare advice. Time and again, our patients tell us that this is what sets us apart from other clinics.
You can read our great reviews of FUE hair transplants over on Google and TrustPilot
Kieran Dancy19/01/2024"My experience with Harley Street Clinic was exceptional. I was very apprehensive about getting my FUE procedure done, as one would expect. However, Sara reassured me and was very supportive pre and post-procedure. I am so pleased with the result thus far. The new hairline suits my face, and I cannot wait to see the full results. I must thank everyone at the Harley Street Clinic for their support, guidance, and care."I had an outstanding experience with the Harley Street Clinic. Initially, I had some apprehensions about getting my Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure done, as I was unsure about how it would turn out. However, Sara, who assisted me throughout the procedure, was very supportive and helped calm my nerves. She provided me with thorough pre and post-procedure guidance, which was extremely helpful. I am delighted with the results I have seen so far. The new hairline suits my face perfectly, and I cannot wait to see the full results in the coming months. The team at the Harley Street Clinic was very supportive, and I felt like I was in good hands throughout the entire process. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at the clinic for their support, guidance, and care. The experience was very positive, and I would highly recommend the Harley Street Clinic to anyone looking to undergo a similar procedure.
David Price09/01/2024Thank you to the doctor and team. I was well looked after on the day of surgery and I’m really looking forward to the results. Initial anaesthetic injection was the only bit that I didn’t like but other than that, all good. Would recommend. David
ashley sheppard07/09/2023Lovely surgeon and assistants who made me feel at ease. No pain whatsoever. Would recommend.
Ross Thorndyke31/07/2023Great surgeon, quick responses. Even drafted a Locum in to cover the original surgeon being on holiday. Very impressed with the set up and the results are very good so far.
GrayBx17/04/2023To start, their care and procedures are absolutely incredible, if I was to base the review solely on the Dr and nurses I had for my procedure it would be an easy 5 stars. However I am rating only 4 stars, which I would consider slightly generous. I am trans, although very early transition when I had the procedure, and within the consultation I feel I was overlooked of what I wanted. After being asked what I was looking for from the procedure, I said I was trans, and wanted a natural looking feminine hairline (as well as obviously fixing my natural hairline), to which my consultant claimed that a masculine hairline would be easier to look natural. Going along with this, I thought any hairline transplant is better than nothing, and that he was the professional so I should take his advice and bite my tongue. In fairness, I was not wearing make up and was in jeans and a hoodie for the consultation, so maybe what I said just went over his head or maybe he didn’t take me seriously. In hindsight, I wish I didn’t closet myself at the first sign of push back from what I perceived as a medical professional, even talking to my doctor near the end of the procedure I felt comfortable enough to come out to him after what I had initially perceived to be a transphobic clinic (I promise you it’s not), and wish he was the one to do the consultation in the first place. He even said something along the lines of “I’ve done a masculine hairline on you, I wish you had have said something sooner”, and I didn’t want to cause any trouble for my consultant, so I didn’t say anything. All in all, the procedure went perfectly, and has healed really well. Cannot speak any higher of my doctors and nurses (although I have forgotten their names), and although not entirely happy with the hairline I received, it was done perfectly and is 100x better than my natural hairline. To all my trans girlies out there, please make it really clear what you want, look as fem as possible for the consultation, and if they push back at all - don’t let them walk all over you.
Ricardo David14/12/2022Loved the team!
Emma Walker27/09/2022I originally took a lot of time researching a hair transplant company within the UK and came across these guys. I have to say that the whole experience has been so smooth from start to finish. Kevin has been nothing but helpful and it was encouraging to know that he only wanted the best for the client. The reason for my hair transplant was traction alopecia and even though I am only 5 days post op I can already see the potential hairline I will have in a few months time. Everything including booking, payment, forms etc was all so easy and straightforward to do with the help of Kevin. The day of the surgery I had my mum come with me and she was able to come into the room to start with before the actual surgery to help choose my hairline and Dr Kalra explained everything not only to me but to my mum also. Then it was onto the actual surgery part of the day and I have to say that while the local anaesthetic injections were pretty painful, the rest of the day was completely relaxing. Dr Kalra and the other staff (sorry I can’t remember their names) totally put me at ease. Everything was explained and if I needed anything all I had to do was ask. Post op I had a lot of bleeding in the donor area which I was worried about but Dr Kalra put my mind at ease straight away. If I had any questions or worries then Dr Kalra and Kevin were always on hand to help. 5 days post op I still have a fair amount of swelling and bruising but it is improving every day and I can’t wait to see results. I’ve booked a PRP session with Dr Kalra for 5 weeks time so I will post another update once that has been done. Thank you to everyone but special thanks to Kevin and Dr Kalra!
Jack Booth10/09/2022The whole experience was very straight forward and professional and the staff were very friendly. I felt I was in safe hands with Dr Kalra and the others who did the surgery and the aftercare process was explained very clearly to me afterwards.
