Who is the unshaven FUE technique suitable for, and how does it differ from classic FUE?

Today, when hair transplantation and hair restoration surgery are mentioned, the first technique that comes to mind, and which is now widely used in our country, is the FUE technique. This is a painless, scarless, scalpel-free technique where hair follicles are extracted one by one using micromotors and punches. The most significant disadvantage of this operation is that the hair must be shaved to a number 1 length at the beginning of the procedure to be able to extract the grafts individually. This shaving is necessary because it allows for determining the hair's exit angle and enabling the extraction of hair with sharp tubes called "punch" that have holes smaller than 1 millimeter. However, this poses a significant problem for individuals with demanding work lives who cannot be away from daily life for extended periods. Because shortening the hair on the nape and the area to be transplanted means the patient has to be away from daily life for at least 15 days. During this time, the hair grows, the scabs are cleaned, and only then can the patient return to work.

There is a new technique that can overcome this problem: the shave-free FUE technique. With this technique, a limited number of hair follicles can be extracted without completely shaving the patient's hair, and the patient can immediately return to daily life.

So how are hairs extracted in the unshaven FUE technique?

How is the FUE technique applied without cutting or shaving the hair? In this technique, a nurse or technician assists by separating the long hairs with a comb or wet gauze. Then, the surgeon, using a punch according to the angle of hair follicle emergence, enters the skin and extracts the hair follicle. The doctor extracting the hair must be very patient and careful because, since this technique works among long hairs, extracting the hair follicles is much more difficult and laborious; it requires a long time and patience. The maximum number of follicles that can be extracted is much less than in the shaved FUE hair transplant. However, in this technique, which can be used to cover certain small areas, 500-700 grafts can be extracted and transplanted in each session. But it is worth reiterating that it is a long and tiring technique for the patient, the doctor, and the entire team.

Compared to the known shaved FUE technique, the advantages of the unshaven FUE method include the patient's ability to return to normal life very quickly, immediately after the operation, and the fact that it does not require any dressings. In addition, the doctor can directly see the characteristics of the hair to be harvested while working among long hair. Accordingly, grafts of the desired color, thickness, and fineness; wavy/curly or straight; and those containing single or 2-3 roots can be determined. In other words, there are advantages such as being able to select and harvest hair grafts according to the type of hair needed in the required area. Since a very controlled and limited number of hairs are harvested from the donor area, problems such as thinning and loss that occur when more grafts than necessary are taken are avoided. The unshaven FUE technique is particularly advantageous for women because hair can be transplanted with almost no cutting.

The main disadvantages of hair transplantation with the unshaven FUE technique are that the operation takes longer for the patient; it is a more expensive technique; and it is more tiring for the team, doctor, and patient.

In summary, for individuals with busy work lives who cannot tolerate haircuts and time loss, and for whom a small amount of hair needs to be transplanted, the "unshaven FUE technique" is feasible. For suitable patients, aesthetic surgery offers a new opportunity, applying the principle of "time is money" to hair transplantation.