FUE Hair Transplant
Complete Guide
Follicular Unit Extraction — everything you need to know about cost, procedure, recovery, and finding the right clinic.
What is FUE Hair Transplant?
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is the most popular modern hair transplant technique. Individual follicular units are extracted from the donor area using a micro-punch tool (0.6–1.0mm diameter) and transplanted to areas of thinning or baldness.
How FUE Hair Transplant Works
The donor area (typically the back and sides of the head) is trimmed and numbed with local anesthesia.
A micro-punch tool extracts individual follicular units, each containing 1–4 hair follicles.
Extracted grafts are stored in a chilled holding solution to maintain viability.
Tiny recipient sites are created in the balding area at precise angles and depths.
Grafts are carefully placed into the recipient sites, following the natural hair growth pattern.
The procedure is completed in a single session for most patients, though mega-sessions may span two days.
Advantages
- ✓No linear scar — wear hair short confidently
- ✓Faster recovery (5–10 days)
- ✓Less post-operative discomfort
- ✓Can harvest from body hair if needed
- ✓Natural-looking, undetectable results
Limitations
- ✗Higher cost per graft than FUT
- ✗Longer procedure time
- ✗Requires shaving the donor area
- ✗Lower yield per session vs FUT
- ✗Operator-dependent results
Who Is FUE Hair Transplant Best For?
Patients who want to wear their hair short, those with limited donor supply, younger patients, and anyone seeking minimal scarring.
FUE Hair Transplant Cost Breakdown
USA
$4,000–$20,000
Turkey
$1,800–$4,500
Mexico
$2,500–$6,000
India
$800–$3,500
Pricing depends on graft count, surgeon experience, and location. Many clinics offer financing from $99/month. See full pricing guide →
Alternatives to FUE Hair Transplant
DHI
Learn more →DHI uses a Choi pen for simultaneous channel creation and graft placement. More precise for hairline work but costs 20–30% more.
FUT
Learn more →FUT (strip method) yields more grafts per session at lower cost but leaves a linear scar.
ARTAS Robotic
Learn more →ARTAS uses AI-guided robotics for FUE extraction. More consistent but limited to straight hair types.
Top Cities for FUE Hair Transplant
Clinics Offering FUE Hair Transplant (118)
Wolfeld Hair
New York, NY
LA FUE Hair New York
New York, NY
Linkov Hair Surgery
New York, NY
Beverly Hills Hair Restoration
Beverly Hills, CA
Dermatology & Hair Restoration Specialists
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles FUE Hair Transplant Clinic
Pasadena, CA
Miami Hair Institute
Coral Gables, FL
The Miami Hair Clinic
Miami Beach, FL
Care4Hair
Miami, FL
Foundation for Hair Restoration
Miami, FL
Armani Medical
Dallas, TX
Advanced Hair Restoration
Dallas, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FUE painful?
FUE is performed under local anesthesia. Most patients report mild discomfort during the numbing injections, with no pain during the actual procedure. Post-operative discomfort is typically mild and managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
How long do FUE results last?
FUE results are permanent. Transplanted follicles are genetically resistant to DHT (the hormone responsible for pattern baldness) and continue growing for life. Full results are visible at 12–18 months.
How many FUE grafts can be done in one session?
A single FUE session typically involves 1,500–4,000 grafts. Mega-sessions of 4,000–5,000+ grafts are possible but may span two days. Your surgeon will recommend the optimal number based on your goals and donor supply.
What is the FUE graft survival rate?
When performed by an experienced surgeon, FUE graft survival rates are 95–98%. Proper post-operative care (avoiding touching grafts, sleeping elevated, following medication protocol) maximizes survival.
Can FUE be done without shaving?
Yes, "no-shave FUE" or "unshaven FUE" is available at select clinics. However, it takes longer, costs more, and may limit the number of grafts that can be harvested per session.
FUE vs DHI: which is better?
Both achieve excellent results. FUE is better for larger sessions and costs less. DHI offers more precision for hairline refinement and does not require pre-made channels. Many surgeons use both techniques in a single procedure.
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