FUE hair transplant has evolved significantly over the years, and the differences between older hair plug procedures and newer Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) techniques are substantial.
Here are the key distinctions:
GRAFT SIZE
- Old Hair Plugs: In older procedures, hair plugs involved the transplantation of large, often unnatural-looking grafts containing multiple hair follicles. These plugs could create a “doll’s hair” appearance, with visible and unnatural groupings of hair.
- FUE: FUE involves the extraction of individual follicular units containing 1 to 4 hairs. This allows for a more natural-looking result, as the transplanted hair mimics the natural growth pattern and distribution.
HARVESTING TECHNIQUE
- Old Hair Plugs: The older techniques used larger punches or cylindrical instruments to harvest grafts, leading to noticeable scars and a less refined result.
- FUE hair transplant: FUE utilizes micro punches, typically ranging from 0.8mm to 1.0mm in diameter, resulting in tiny, often nearly invisible, scars in the donor area.
DONOR AREA SCARRING
- Old Hair Plugs: Older procedures often left noticeable scars in the donor area due to the larger punch sizes and extraction techniques.
- FUE: FUE minimizes scarring, making it particularly suitable for individuals who prefer to wear short hairstyles.
NATURAL APPEARANCE
- Old Hair Plugs: The unnatural grouping of hair in larger plugs could lead to an artificial appearance and a lack of natural hair movement.
- FUE: FUE allows for the precise placement of individual follicular units, resulting in a more natural appearance with better hairline design and overall aesthetics.
RECOVERY TIME
- Old Hair Plugs: Recovery time for older plug procedures was often longer, and patients needed more time to heal from the larger wounds.
- FUE: FUE has a quicker recovery time as the small, circular incisions heal faster and with less discomfort.
PRECISION AND CONTROL
- Old Hair Plugs: The older techniques lacked the precision and control that newer methods offer.
- FUE: FUE allows for more precise extraction and placement of grafts, offering better control over the hair design and outcome.
FLEXIBILITY IN HAIRSTYLES
- Old Hair Plugs: The larger grafts limited the flexibility in choosing hairstyles, and the results were often less adaptable.
- FUE: FUE provides more flexibility in choosing hairstyles as the scars are minimal and less noticeable.
NUMBER OF GRAFTS IN A SINGLE SESSION
- Old Hair Plugs: Older procedures often limited the number of grafts that could be transplanted in a single session.
- FUE: FUE allows for a larger number of grafts to be transplanted in a single session, providing the potential for greater coverage.
In summary, the transition from old hair plug procedures to FUE has led to more natural-looking results, minimized scarring, increased precision, and enhanced patient satisfaction. FUE has become a preferred method for hair transplantation due to its many advantages over older techniques. Schedule a complimentary consultation today or call 1 (888) 589-3064.