Understanding Hair
Valued member
While it should be obvious, and unequivocal that any surgical procedure, including hair transplants, including FUE, will cause scarring. There are way too many hair clinic web pages still suggesting, using wordplay, or simply stating that their version of FUE does not scar. Even after all the documented cases of FUE scarring online. Regardless of what a clinic likes to call their FUE hair transplant; they all leave scarring across the donor area. There are no such things as a non-scarring hair transplant.
Clinics prey on the poorly educated in hair restoration or those who simply want to believe it´s true. Using wordplay is arguably the most defenceless, and if called out, the reply is a plain misunderstanding by the consumer about what they mean. On the other hand, stating FUE leaves no scars is a blatant lie. Probably the most common wordplay rebuttal is comparing FUE to the FUT technique but not limited to. A Google search for “FUE no scarring”, two clinic websites, on the first page of Google –
“… the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method to give natural looking results with minimal downtime, no linear scaring and no stitches.”
“FUE is an advanced scarless hair transplant technique that effectively conceals any signs of the procedure, ...”
Compared to FUT is a classic diversion, all the bad press FUT received, especially from “FUE only” clinics in the past, “scar-mongering”. Of course, it´s true FUE does not leave a linear scar; however, they never go on to mention FUE leaves small white dot scars. That would defeat the object to leave in the mind of the consumer, the idea of no scars = FUE. Using the no linear scar line was maybe acceptable ten, fifteen years ago, even if misplaced. However today, with the abundance and domination of FUE only clinics it´s a distraction. Even FUT/FUE clinics often suggest FUE over FUT due to its unpopularity. Using the FUT linear scar is an obvious deflection from the truth of mentioning FUE scarring.
FUE, the cylindrical surgical punch varies in diameter and design, sharp or dull, manual to motorised. Regardless, the result is a small round wound being made. The punching of the follicular units from the donor should be performed by the doctor, however, it´s not uncommon for medically untrained “hair technicians” to perform the punching.
As with any open wound, the healing begins immediately as the wound healing properties in the blood create a scab over the wound. While many find by a couple of weeks there is little to see around the donor, complete healing and fading of the scars can take several months to a year. Depending on skin characteristics, overall health and medications being taken, as well as following the post-op care instructions. Other considerations can be the size of the procedure and using an educated harvesting pattern, which are commonly reflected in the competence and standards of the doctor. While white dot donor scarring is an unfortunate effect of having FUE it can be visually minimised. With care and the right protocols, even with a very short hair style there can be no obvious pattern of loss or scarring, however, when clean shaved it will be obvious. Also, with all the best intentions and skill, some skin types are simply more prone to more visible scarring.
A person´s choice of clinic should be their own and made with a full understanding of the facts. Putting your trust in a clinic, and especially a doctor that is willing to state or deflect about FUE scarring, leaves you open to countless other lapses in judgement, standards and ability to perform a good hair transplant.
Clinics prey on the poorly educated in hair restoration or those who simply want to believe it´s true. Using wordplay is arguably the most defenceless, and if called out, the reply is a plain misunderstanding by the consumer about what they mean. On the other hand, stating FUE leaves no scars is a blatant lie. Probably the most common wordplay rebuttal is comparing FUE to the FUT technique but not limited to. A Google search for “FUE no scarring”, two clinic websites, on the first page of Google –
“… the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method to give natural looking results with minimal downtime, no linear scaring and no stitches.”
“FUE is an advanced scarless hair transplant technique that effectively conceals any signs of the procedure, ...”
FUE, the cylindrical surgical punch varies in diameter and design, sharp or dull, manual to motorised. Regardless, the result is a small round wound being made. The punching of the follicular units from the donor should be performed by the doctor, however, it´s not uncommon for medically untrained “hair technicians” to perform the punching.
As with any open wound, the healing begins immediately as the wound healing properties in the blood create a scab over the wound. While many find by a couple of weeks there is little to see around the donor, complete healing and fading of the scars can take several months to a year. Depending on skin characteristics, overall health and medications being taken, as well as following the post-op care instructions. Other considerations can be the size of the procedure and using an educated harvesting pattern, which are commonly reflected in the competence and standards of the doctor. While white dot donor scarring is an unfortunate effect of having FUE it can be visually minimised. With care and the right protocols, even with a very short hair style there can be no obvious pattern of loss or scarring, however, when clean shaved it will be obvious. Also, with all the best intentions and skill, some skin types are simply more prone to more visible scarring.
A person´s choice of clinic should be their own and made with a full understanding of the facts. Putting your trust in a clinic, and especially a doctor that is willing to state or deflect about FUE scarring, leaves you open to countless other lapses in judgement, standards and ability to perform a good hair transplant.
