In the past few years, the hair restoration field had a big breakthrough, which created a higher demand, and the popularity of different hair restoration procedures has increased. Many new technologies, methods, and improvements are available all the time. 

We created a special Hair restoration dictionary where you can find impartial information about all the different services, treatments, methods, and terminologies to hair restoration. 

FUT/Strip hair transplant – Follicular Unit Transplant is a hair transplant technique where a strip of hair is removed from the back of the head, also called the “donor area” with a scalpel. The donor strip is placed under microscopes where the individual follicular units are carefully dissected into tiny grafts. In the next step, the surgeon opens channels (makes small cuts) creating implementation sites. These grafts are then transplanted individually or in small groups of follicles to the designated area called “recipient area”.

Grafts extraction – 4000 grafts that produce about 8000 hairs (average).

Removing the strip of skin leaves a linear scar in the donor area.

The procedure can take 2-6 hours, depending on the number of grafts implemented.

FUE hair transplant – Follicular Unit Extraction. A procedure where a hair is taken from an area in the scalp where there is a more permanent hair growth – the back of the head and behind the ears, known as the “donor area”. This hair is then implemented in the desired areas – “recipient area”. The hair is extracted one by one in a spread. The hairs are extracted in grafts – grouped hairs of 1-4. In the next step, the surgeon opens channels (makes small cuts) creating implementation sites. The grafts are then implemented in the sites.

Grafts extraction – 500-3000 grafts – each graft produces an average of 2 hairs.

The procedure leaves tiny marks – usually invisible to the naked eye. Shaving the donor area is often needed.

The procedure can take 4-8 hours, depending on the number of grafts implemented.

U-FUE/ Unshaven FUE – Shaving of the donor area aids the surgeon extract the grafts more easily. Performing the FUE hair transplant without shaving the donor area is possible though it involves careful extraction of donor hair, requiring considerable skill and time at every stage, which is also why the procedure is more expensive than the regular FUE.

Sapphire FUE – During the FUE hair transplant procedure, surgeons use a blade to make small incisions in the recipient area in order to transplant the grafts. These incisions are usually done by a steel blade. A Sapphire FUE is a method that uses blades made from a precious gemstone called sapphire. The Sapphire blade is designed to speed up the recovery process by opening smaller micro channels within the recipient site for transplantation.

Robotic FUE – The robotic FUE automates two key steps in FUE hair transplant, follicular unit graft harvesting, and recipient site creation. The high definition stereoscopic vision system utilizes algorithms to identify and select the best hair follicles for harvesting. The system also customizes a designed hairline and optimizes the hair distribution. 

Currently, there is only one FDA approved robot in the world, the Artas system.

Micro FUE – In a micro FUE, a micro motor needle is used to extract the grafts from the donor area. A specialized punch with a diameter from 0.6- 0.9 mm is placed in the skin around a follicular unit to make a small circular incision, separating it from the surrounding tissue. The instruments used are tiny, so there is minimal trauma in the donor area. The idea behind the micro FUE is to allow an easy extraction of smaller grafts – containing only one or two hairs each, keeping them intact and unharmed. The small grafts are usually used in the front hairline to achieve a more natural look. Other names for micro FUE are 3M FUE, FUE plus.

DHI  – Direct Hair Implantation. In DHI, the grafts are extracted one by one from the donor area, but instead of being stored until all the grafts are extracted, the graft is immediately implemented in the recipient area. The implementation does not require opening channels for the grafts beforehand. Alternatively, the grafts are implemented using Choi Implanter Pen. With the Choi Implanter Pen, the site creation and graft implantation are performed simultaneously,

The procedure can take 4-8 hours, depending on the number of grafts needed.

There is no visible scarring left.

Needle free anesthesia – Hair transplant is a surgical operation under local anesthesia. New technology allows creating the same numbness in the desired area with the use of needles. A small device uses air pressure to inject the local anesthetic medication into the skin through its silicon heads. 

Mostly used in FUE hair transplant and DHI. 

PRP – (platelet-rich plasma) is a three-step medical treatment in which a person’s blood is drawn, processed, and then injected into the scalp, triggering growth by increasing blood supply to the hair follicle.

In the procedure, your blood is drawn (typically from your arm) and put into a machine (centrifuge) that separates the platelet-rich plasma from the poor plated plasma and the red blood cells.

The platelet-rich plasma is drawn and then injected into areas of the scalp that need increased hair growth.

One session costs between 150 to 550 Euro.

IPRF/PRF – Injectable-platelet-rich fibrin. Considered as the “new generation” of PRP. Blood is drawn and processed and then injected to the scalp to promote hair growth. The difference from PRP is that PRF contains greater concentrations of growth factors, as well as stem cells. It boasts new collagen growth, regenerates tissue, and naturally enhances the skin.

Mesotherapy- The treatment injects natural plant extracts, vitamins, or medicines like finasteride and Minoxidil into the head. The idea behind Mesotherapy is that it corrects underlying issues like poor circulation and inflammation that cause skin damage.
One session costs between 150 to 550 Euro.

LLLT – FDA-cleared solution uses clinical-strength laser technology to stimulate hair follicles and scientifically induce regrowth of hair. The lasers used for hair growth therapy are referred to as “cold” because their light is absorbed by target tissue but does not heat the target tissue. A low-level laser can repair tissues that have impaired cellular metabolism by stimulating blood circulation, encouraging regeneration of normal healthy tissues.

Scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP) – micro pigmentation is performed using an electric tattoo device to create the illusion of fuller hair.