What is a micro FUE hair transplant and are results better?
The Micro FUE Procedure
Micro FUE stands for minimally invasive collection by reticular oscillation. That means we’re using a reticular oscillation or vibration process to collect the hairs during a hair transplantation procedure. Based on this unique hair collection method, the Micro FUE procedure is a different technology for a healthier and natural hair extraction technique. This way, we can deliver a much more improved result for our patients than they could otherwise have received with the more traditional FUE method.The Challenge With The Normal FUE Procedure
Other than the difference in hair extraction technology with the Micro FUE procedure, everything else from the before care, aftercare, and our team is otherwise exactly the same as when patients opt for our traditional FUE procedure at Northwestern Hair.
However, this singular process of removing the hairs from your scalp during your hair replacement surgery can significantly affect your hairs’ final look after they grow out. Here’s what we mean.
The Cutting Process
During a traditional FUE procedure, we use a sharp cylindrical blade that goes along the hair shaft to get down to the hair follicle. However, this follicle is tiny and located at the very base of your scalp, where it cannot be directly seen during the procedure. Therefore, getting to the hair follicle can be challenging due to its relatively obscure location during the procedure.
In fact, more often than some hair replacement specialists admit, this cylindrical blade may sometimes cut through anything in its path — including the hair shaft — and miss the follicle itself. When this happens, the affected hair is no longer viable or useful even after being successfully implanted in your scalp’s recipient area.
In other instances, the blade can also cut through the oil glands meant to lubricate the hairs and keep them looking natural, shiny, and smooth after implantation and eventual growth. In essence, the sharp cylindrical blade used in the FUE procedure can shear off important structures, leading to a less than optimal result.
The Extraction Process
The second phase of the traditional FUE procedure involves using a tweezer to remove the hair after the cylindrical blade is done with the cutting process. However, as simple as it may sound, the little pinch used in pulling out the hair requires much more force than you might otherwise think it does.
Sometimes, the surrounding tissue, hair tract, and hair shaft gets injured during this extraction process. When these affected hairs are implanted in their new locations, they will often heal with a much tougher scar on your scalp. Such results may cause the hair to be dry, frizzy, or even kinked later during the recovery and growth process.
The Difference With Micro FUE
The Micro FUE procedure uses a minimally invasive hair collection technique by reticular oscillation with the Micro FUE method. To do this, we use a smooth notch blade with a sharp one-sided spinning edge for a much more precise cutting process during this procedure. A key difference here is that once the cutting process is finished, we will stop the spinning and set the blade into a vibration mode where it no longer cuts. That means we can use the blade to access your hair shaft down to the follicle without severing anything in its path. And just as we’re accessing the hair follicle for extraction with the notch blade, we’re also using its suction feature to pull out the hair as we release the blade gently. This way, we do not need to use a tweezer and can, therefore, remove the hair in a much more natural fashion with the hair shaft, follicle, and oil gland all intact. In the end, what you get with the Micro FUE procedure is healthier and more natural-looking hair after you’re done with your hair transplantation process.Conclusion
Overall, Micro FUE procedures are a natural, more precise way to obtain donor hair for a hair transplant procedure. However, that’s not to say we think it’s the only option available or that you can’t be successful with traditional hair transplantation. So whether you go for FUE or FUT, look for a highly experienced surgeon to ensure you get the best results with your hair replacement procedure.Schedule a Consult
Interested in hair replacement? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Northwestern Hair specialist. Choose between comprehensive in-person and convenient virtual consultations.