NEOGRAFT™ AUTOMATED FUE HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION: "FUE" Hair Transplant

Minimally-Invasive Hair Transplantation - “FUE” Procedure Follicular Unit Extraction with NeoGraft leaves no strip scar, no linear scar

The most exciting thing about Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is what it enables us to do in the donor area with people who wear very short hair. For many people, having a linear scar is not desirable. So this surgical technique gives us another option for “extracting” the permanent donor follicles from the scalp.

With FUE, we are able to extract single Follicular units (that means groupings of 1, 2, 3, and sometimes, 4 hair follicles) individually from the donor area without a scalpel. This also means the patient will not require any stitches or staples and leaves no linear scar. FUE is a much more minimally-invasive procedure that heals more quickly and has less activity restrictions post-operatively.

That said, it is a tedious process for the surgeon and the surgical team because it requires significantly more time to extract the same numbers of grafts as a traditional (linear or strip) harvest. For many years, we were only able to harvest between 500-700 grafts per day with FUE. Today, the NeoGraft device has enabled us to consistently harvest 1500+ grafts during a normal procedure day.

There are several benefits of Follicular Unit Extraction. Patients walk out of the procedure with the grafts implanted in the “recipient area” just like they do with the traditional “strip method” procedure, but there are no stitches and therefore less discomfort. The tiny circular incisions will heal and become nearly invisible within a matter of days.

For a physician, Linear harvesting, or the “strip method,” still remains the most efficient way to harvest hair (its easier to do). However, a new breakthrough mechanical device, called NeoGraft, is making FUE procedures more efficient. NeoGraft works as an extension of the human hand. By using a motorized mechanical 1.0 mm punch and pneumatic powered precision hand pieces to automatically extract, collect, and implant the grafts into the recipient sites the surgeon is able to harvest quality hair follicles more efficiently from the scalp at a rate of speed that is significantly faster than manual extraction.

Patients really need to understand how important choosing the right surgeon remains. Final hairline design results still are dependent upon the skill and artistic abilities of the surgeon performing the procedure. Often, people make the mistake of concentrating too much on how we extract the grafts and forget the basic rules that apply to artistic hairline design. So, it is critical that prospective patients evaluate a surgeon's proven expertise using the Follicular Unit Extraction technique AND artistry designing hairlines.

FUE is also a useful procedure to fix visible linear scars from previous strip procedures. FUE can be used to 'fill in' or camouflage those old scars by transplanting new follicles into the area.

NEOGRAFT™ AUTOMATED HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NeoGraft™?

NeoGraft™ is a new device which facilitates the harvesting of follicles during an “FUE”-type hair transplant, dramatically improving the accuracy and speed over previously-used manual extraction instruments. Dr. Malouf is the first physician in the state of Texas to use the NeoGraft™ device routinely for FUE hair transplant procedures.

What is an “FUE” hair transplant?

“F.U.E.” or “Follicular-Unit Extraction” is an advanced, minimally-invasive hair transplant method which allows for the harvesting of individual follicles from the donor area without a scalpel or stitches, and therefore leaves no linear scar.

What are the main benefits of FUE over linear harvesting?

It is well-accepted that FUE transplants can heal faster and more comfortably than linear-harvest techniques using a scalpel and requiring stitches. With FUE, once healing is complete, the patient has the option of wearing a very short haircut without the worry of a tell-tale linear scar. Without the need for stitches, downtime is shorter with fewer activity restrictions post-operatively.

What are some benefits of NeoGraft™ over manual FUE techniques?

The highly ergonomic mechanical NeoGraft™ device works as a natural extension of the surgeons’ hand, allowing for faster and more accurate harvesting of hair follicles. NeoGraft™ patients now reach their goal with less time in the procedure room or fewer FUE procedures altogether.

Who is a good candidate for FUE using NeoGraft™?

Patients who would like the option of wearing a very short haircut in the back or sides of their scalp, or those who want the least amount of activity restriction (e.g. athletes) after their hair transplant procedure, may be good candidates for FUE with NeoGraft™. FUE can also be used for ‘scar camouflage’ procedures for patients who have had prior linear harvests, as well as for body hair transplants.

What are the drawbacks of FUE/NeoGraft™ hair transplant procedures?

Despite the dramatic advances in the efficiency, accuracy and speed of FUE procedures using NeoGraft™, the total yield of harvested follicles per session at this time still cannot equal that of a linear harvest. For example, a linear harvest may yield 3,000 follicular unit grafts or more, whereas a “maximum” FUE/NeoGraft™ procedure yields approximately 2000-3000 grafts.

What are the major cost differences between FUE and linear-harvest hair transplant procedures?

The fee structure for FUE hair transplant procedures reflect the more detailed and intricate nature of those procedures compared to those performed with a linear harvest.

Are the final transplanted ‘results’ any different with FUE/NeoGraft™ than those achieved with linear harvesting?

Results are similar. FUE procedures, by default, yield grafts that contain mainly one, two, three, or four follicles called “follicular units.” Linear harvests, which are then microscopically dissected by a team into grafts of one, two or three follicles, would also yield similar ‘follicular-unit’ grafts. Provided that in each case the grafts are implanted with care, artistry and precision into the recipient area, the final transplanted results with FUE would be similar, if not identical, to those accomplished with a linear harvest. The difference is not in the area of hair growth, but how the donor area is harvested either by a strip of scalp or by small individual graft extractions.

Is FUE/NeoGraft™ suitable for both men and women?

Yes. Because FUE/NeoGraft™ is a minimally-invasive procedure, it is a viable option for both men and women looking to restore their own living and growing hair with transplantation.

Do I have to get a total 'buzzcut' to have an FUE/NeoGraft procedure?

No, but it helps. If your donor hair is long enough, harvesting using the FUE/NeoGraft can be done by shaving small areas which can be covered by your other, existing hair. For maximum yield however, a buzzcut is recommended in the donor area.

Am I a good candidate for a procedure using FUE/NeoGraft?

The best way to determine whether you are a candidate for hair transplant using FUE/NeoGraft is a one-on-one consultation with Dr.Wallace. To begin the consultation process, ask to schedule an appointment with Dr. Walace