Potential Risks of Follicular Unit Extraction
Thinning, balding hair is a big concern for many men as they begin to reach middle age (and in some cases, even sooner). Like many other outer signs of aging, hair loss often makes a patient appear years older than they actually are. At Chicago Hair Institute, Dr. Raymond J. Konior offers his patients a range of treatments, including surgical hair loss solutions that allow men to restore areas of the head that have become sparse or bald. One of the latest techniques, follicular unit extraction, allows for the extraction and transplantation of individual hair follicles. This technique results in less obvious scarring than strip harvesting and also results in a faster healing time. For those who are candidates for this technique, FUE offers an array of benefits. However, as with all surgical procedures, there is a small degree of risk associated with this hair loss treatment. Before undergoing treatment, Dr. Konior ensures that his Chicago patients are well aware of potential follicular unit extraction risks.
Risks of FUE
FUE is considered a safe procedure that has high rates of success. However, there is a small chance that complications will occur or that the results of transplantation will be unsatisfactory. The primary concern with follicular unit extraction is transection. Transection is the term that is used when a part of the follicular unit is sliced off. This essentially destroys the hair follicle, making it unusable for transplantation. Because the punches used for follicular unit extraction are small, there is a greater risk of transection than with strip harvesting. Although small diameter punches create less noticeable scars, the smaller the punch, the more difficult it is to control the graft. Similarly, because there are fewer hair follicles that are harvested using the follicular unit extraction technique, transection is a greater problem for patients undergoing FUE. It is normal for a strip of hair follicles to have some follicles that have suffered transection, but this is not a problem because there is such a large number of suitable donor follicles. This is not the case with follicular unit extraction, where the number of follicles is much fewer.
Avoiding the Risks of FUE
Dr. Konior is very careful in his selection of follicular unit extraction candidates. While beneficial, this technique is one with a very specific group of candidates. By carefully considering each patient’s desires and needs, Dr. Konior can determine whether follicular unit extraction is the right procedure for addressing hair loss. By maintaining strict candidacy requirements, Dr. Konior can help patients avoid the potential risks of FUE.
Surgical technique is also key to avoiding the risks of FUE. This is a precise technique that requires skill and experience for the procedure to be a success. Dr. Konior has experience using the follicular unit extraction technique. His skill, along with the use of advanced surgical instruments, helps keep the risks of FUE very low.
Contact Us
At Chicago Hair Institute, we offer a range of hair loss solutions that help patients restore a full head of hair. Follicular unit extraction is just one of the treatments available that allows patients to fill in sparse, bald areas of the scalp. If hair loss is a problem for you, contact us to learn more about the treatments we have available and how they can help you address your areas of concern.