The FUE transplant with total shaving is recommended in cases of severe alopecia. The procedure is similar to other Follicular Unit Extraction techniques. The surgeon removes the hair bulbs using a micro-punch that hardly leaves a scar. The difference is that FUE with total shaving allows for a larger number of grafts to be extracted – up to 2,000 in one session – and the patient’s hair must be completely shaved.
The advantages of an FUE hair transplant with total shaving
- Corrects severe alopecia in a permanent and harmonious way
- No staples or sutures
- Allows the extraction of up to 2,000 grafts in a single session
- Increases the donor area by 30-50%.
What is an FUE hair transplantation with total shaving?
FUE is the least invasive hair transplant technique. The goal is to remove hair follicles from the donor area – usually the occipital and temporal regions of the scalp – before reinserting them into the balding areas of the head.
Unlike the FUL technique (FUT long hair), the extraction of the grafts is done with a micro-punch that measures between 0.8 and 0.9 mm in diameter. It allows to detach each follicular unit from all its skin and fatty connections.
Unlike other existing transplant techniques that require the use of a scalpel, FUE does not leave a continuous linear scar on the donor area. The advantage is that the hair follicles can be extracted elsewhere than on the crown. Result: the number of potential grafts increases by 30 to 50%.
The other advantage of the FUE technique with total shaving is that it allows the extraction of 2,000 grafts in a single session, which is useful for people with significant baldness. It requires shaving the entire head so that the donor and recipient areas are clearly visible.
For a larger session of 3,000 to 4,000 implants, the procedure is performed over two consecutive days in order to optimize the grafting process and avoid potential loss of implants.
For which patients?
FUE hair transplant with total shaving can be done on both men and women. However, since it requires shaving the entire head, it is usually recommended for men. It is particularly recommended for patients who:
- suffer from severe alopecia
- want to keep their hair very short
- who have a dense donor area
- who’s scalp is not very flexible
What are the results?
The FUE method with total shaving allows to cover a bald area in a natural, dense and harmonious way. The transplanted hair will grow for the patient’s entire life, since it comes from a part of the scalp that is insensitive to the hormone responsible for alopecia.
How does it work?
1st step: Shaving the hair
As its name suggests, the FUE technique with total shaving involves shaving off all the hair. This way, the donor and receiving areas become totally accessible to the surgeon.
2nd step: Defining the area to be implanted
After talking with the patient, the surgeon draws on the scalp the area where he will implant the grafts. The patient checks that the drawing matches his wishes.
Step 3: Follicular unit extraction.
After giving the patient a local anesthetic, the surgeon removes the follicular units using a circular micro-punch of 0.8 to 0.9 mm in diameter. The micro-punch is a sharp, circular tool that completely isolates the grafts, cutting all skin and fat connections. Up to 2,000 grafts can be harvested in a single session.
Step 4: Graft preparation
The grafts are then collected with a micro forceps and placed in an enriched culture medium before being sorted and grouped according to the number of hairs per follicular unit. Each follicular unit contains between one and four hairs.
5th step: Implanting the follicular units
Finally, the surgeon implants the grafts on the bald area using a Choï implanter. This very fine tool allows the microperforation of the receiving area and the introduction of the follicular unit at the same time. The grafts must be close enough to create natural density. They must also follow the direction of the hair to get a harmonious and aesthetic result.
FUE hair transplant with total shaving FAQ
Are the results of an FUE transplant with total shaving visible immediately?
NO – The transplanted hair will fall out a few days after the operation. You must wait for them to grow back to see the final result. It takes at least 6 months for an FUE with total shaving to take effect.
Are the results of an FUE with total shaving durable?
YES – The results will last for the lifetime of the patient. In fact, the transplanted hair comes from the occipital or temporal areas of the head and are not sensitive to the hormone responsible for alopecia.
Is there a risk of rejection?
NO – The transplanted hair is the patient’s own.
Is the transplant painful?
NO – FUE is performed under local anesthesia.
Does an FUE transplant with total shaving leave no scars?
NO – Hair transplants require extracting follicular units from the scalp (detaching the grafts from the scalp). This is done with a micro-punch that leaves small circular scars measuring less than a millimeter in diameter. The result is discreet. This FUE technique is recommended for patients with short hair.
Can I quickly resume my activities after an FUE transplant with total shaving?
YES – Recovery is very quick. Nevertheless, patients should plan a calm week for the procedure and its post-operative aftermath. An edema may develop on the forehead for two-three days. The scabs on the grafted area take about a week to fall off.
I have severe baldness. Should I do an FUE with total shaving rather than partial shaving?
YES – FUE with partial shaving does not allow enough grafts to be extracted. On the other hand, an FUE transplant with total shaving will allow the surgeon to extract up to 2,000 follicular units, which is enough for significant baldness.
Does an FUE transplant without shaving look good?
YES – The surgeon pays particular attention to aesthetics. The grafts are placed very close to each other to create density. They are implanted in the direction of the hair, which makes it look more natural.
I am a woman. Can I get an FUE with total shaving?
YES – There are no contraindications for women. However, this procedure involves shaving the entire scalp. For this reason, women are often recommended to choose a long hair FUL.
Are there any contraindications to FUE with total shaving?
YES – FUE with total shaving is not recommended for patients with low hair density in the donor area.
Does an FUE with total shaving cure alopecia?
NO – FUE with total shaving is in no way a treatment for hair loss. On the other hand, it will correct alopecia permanently.
