Follicular Units
What are they and why are they important?
For some time, histologists (doctors who study human tissue), have recognized that human hair grows in tiny bundles called follicular units. However, the existence of follicular units has been largely ignored by physicians performing hair restoration surgery.
A magnified look at scalp hair that has been trimmed to 1 – 2 mm long will show that, in fact, hair grows in small “bundles.” The “bundles” are usually comprised of 1,2,3, occasionally 4, and rarely 5 hairs.
Along with their accompanying support system (sebaceous glands, erector pilae muscle etc.), these hairs form what is now known as the “Follicular Unit”. These 1-5 hair “bundles” usually exit the scalp through just a single pore!
When examined under a powerful microscope, these “Follicular Units” are distinct anatomical entities. They are “individually wrapped” by a layer of (connective) tissue. The follicular unit is thus the hair bearing structure of the skin and needs to be kept intact to insure maximum growth.
In addition to the full terminal hairs, the follicular unit contains 1-2 fine vellus hairs, sebaceous (oil) glands, a small muscle, tiny nerves and blood vessels, and a fine band of collagen that surrounds the unit (the perifolliculum). In areas of the scalp affected by genetic balding, the healthy terminal hairs are gradually replaced by hairs of smaller diameter and length called “miniaturized” hairs.
FUT hair transplants and FUE hair transplants require the precise dissection of each Follicular Unit in order to keep all of its elements intact. This ensures optimal survival and growth of the hair. When transplanted properly and intact, transplanted follicular units are indistinguishable from naturally occurring follicular units.
Using nature’s own building blocks for, follicular unit hair transplantation provides reliably good, natural results.
Hair Transplant Procedure Types
FOLLICULAR UNIT TRANSPLANT (FUT)
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) method, commonly referred to as the ‘strip method’, is widely used and is the world’s most common hair transplant procedure. FUT generally offers excellent patient outcomes with high hair retention and regrowth rates.
FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION (FUE)
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), sometimes referred to as follicular transfer (FT), is one of two primary methods of obtaining follicular units for hair transplantation. FUE hair transplant methods are popular in the United States and around the world.
Robotic Hair Transplants
ARTAS™ ROBOTIC HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
Hair Restoration Centers are proud to offer the most advanced technology in hair transplant surgery: ARTAS® Robotic Assisted Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
Randomly distributed follicular units of one, two, three or even four hairs are removed by the ARTAS System using a very small device that surrounds the hairs. There is no telltale “strip” of donor hairs that has been removed, and therefore no need for stitches. The tiny donor sites created are virtually undetectable and heal more quickly than the traditional strip donor site.
ARTAS is computer assisted, image guided, and doctor controlled. This sophisticated imaging technology maps the precise location of follicular units on your scalp. The follicular units are then evaluated and the best grafts are selected for your particular hair transplant procedure.
Your HRC surgeon, who has received specialized training in the ARTAS System, guides ARTAS through your entire FUE procedure. The harvesting of grafts and placement at the recipient sites are performed during the same office appointment.
The procedure requires only local anesthetic to maintain patient comfort. Surgery usually takes between four and eight hours to complete. The time frame also depends on the number and placement of the transplanted hair follicles.
Grafts are placed at the recipient site at the exact angle and pattern of your naturally growing hair. This results in a natural-looking head of hair with minimal downtime.
NEOGRAFT HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
There are a variety of hair transplant methods available that offer continually enhanced results. Two of the most common forms of transplants, both well documented, are the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and the Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) methods. In addition, there is a cutting-edge version of FUE transplantation called NeoGraft, an advanced form of hair restoration treatment.
The NeoGraft hair transplant is an advanced mode of follicular unit extraction (FUE) that has been cleared and approved by the FDA.
NeoGraft transplants are performed using a semi-automated instrument that collects and harvests the desired hair follicles. The hair follicles are then strategically implanted with precision into the thinning area. NeoGraft transplants take follicular unit extraction to the next level. The NeoGraft is pioneering hair transplantation technology with its phenomenal speed and accuracy. So far, the results are well documented and favorable.
The follicles are collected in groups that vary in number from one to four, as with all other FUE procedures. Because of its precise form of harvesting, there are no incisions to the donor site. Therefore, this a much less invasive procedure, there is no linear scaring and faster recovery period. The NeoGraft is a fully automated method of follicular unit extraction, eliminatin the hand-held work of the surgeon. The results obtained are outstandingly accurate and with a speed that provides considerably distinguished and remarkable results.
