Long hair follicular unit (FUL) transplantation is currently one of the most reliable and effective hair transplant techniques. It is particularly recommended for patients with low or medium hair density. FUL transplants allow for the removal of up to 4,000 hairs in a single session, without shaving.
The advantages of an FUL transplant (FUT with long hair):
- Corrects alopecia in a permanent and natural way
- Suitable for men and women
- Allows up to 4,000 hairs to be removed in a single session, without prior shaving
- Suitable for medium to low hair density
What is an FUL transplant (FUT with long hair)?
This is a variant of the FUT or Follicular Unit Transplantation technique, does not require prior shaving of the donor area.
The surgeon removes a strip of scalp, from which he extracts the follicular units. These follicular units are then implanted into the bald area to create natural looking density.
The FUL technique has two main advantages: it allows the hair to be easily sorted according to its thickness, color and growth direction, so that the aesthetic result of the graft is particularly natural and harmonious. The other advantage is that the FUL method allows up to 4,000 hairs to be extracted at once. The surgeon can thus correct most alopecia in a single session.
For which patients?
An FUL transplant without shaving can be performed on both men and women. It is particularly recommended for patients who do not shave their hair and whose donor area has an average or even low hair density.
What results?
The FUL technique has demonstrated its effectiveness for many years, both medically (the transection rate is less than 1%) and aesthetically (the density effect is natural and harmonious).
Moreover, as with all other hair transplant methods, the result is definitive, since the implanted hair is insensitive to the hormone responsible for alopecia.
Results
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What happens during the procedure?
1st step: removal of a strip of scalp
After administering a local anesthetic, the surgeon removes a horizontal strip of scalp from the crown. This strip will measure between 10 and 30 cm long and 10 to 15 mm wide, depending on the size of the area to be grafted. The donor area is then stitched or stapled.
Step 2: Graft extraction
The surgeon carefully cuts the strip into follicular units that he sorts according to the number of hairs. The procedure is done under a microscope. The grafts are then placed in a refrigerated petri dish.
3rd step: preparation of the area to be grafted
Microincisions are made on the surface of the scalp in the bald area. This is an important step that will determine the aesthetic result of the graft. These incisions are made according to a particular topography and angle in order to give a discreet and natural appearance.
4th step: graft implantation
Each micrograft is implanted by hand into the scalp. An injector pen known as a Choï implanter is used to create the hairline. The grafts will quickly anchor themselves into the skin. You will be able to touch them the day after the procedure without any fear of pulling them out.
FUL transplant without shaving FAQ
Can the procedure take several hours?
YES – The procedure takes an average of 2 to 5 hours. The duration of the procedure depends on the number of hairs to transplant.
Are the results of an FUL visible immediately?
NO – The transplanted hair falls out after a few days and usually starts to grow back after two to three months. It takes nine months to see the final results of an FUL.
Do the results of an FUL last long?
YES – They are even permanent, since the transplanted hair comes from an area not affected by alopecia. The patient’s transplanted hair will be renewed for the rest of their life.
Is there a risk of rejection?
NO – There is no risk of rejection if the implantation techniques are well respected. This is because the grafted hair is the patient’s own.
Will my scar be visible?
NO – Your scar will not exceed one millimeter in width. Moreover, it will be hidden by the hair. If several grafting sessions are needed, the surgeon will take a new strip to remove the old scar if possible. As a result, there may be only one scar, which is also very thin.
Is the procedure painful?
NO – The procedure is completely painless. It is performed under local anesthesia.
Can I quickly resume my activities after an FUL transplant?
YES – Since there is no shaving involved, you can resume social and professional activities the day after the procedure. Long hair will cover the donor area and the grafted area, on which small scabs will develop for about two weeks. An edema may appear on the forehead. It will disappear after one to four days. You will have to wait three weeks before you can resume sports activities. You may experience some discomfort in the hours following the procedure, which can be reduced by taking painkillers.
I have low hair density, especially in the occipital region. Should I do an FUE transplant instead?
NO – We recommend an FUL transplant for patients with low or medium hair density.
Can FUE and FUL be combined?
YES – This combination is often recommended in case of significant alopecia (large baldness), because it can significantly increase the total number of follicular units that can be harvested. A relatively dense donor area and a flexible scalp are required.
Can FUL cure alopecia?
NO – FUL is not a treatment for alopecia. It is a cosmetic correction that allows us to correct alopecia in a natural and permanent way.
