FUE Hair Transplant

Consultations offered at our four convenient locations in La Jolla, San Diego, Newport Beach and Beverly Hills

FUE Hair Transplant La Jolla Plastic Surgery and Dermatology, Dr. Richard Chaffoo

An FUE hair transplant is a procedure that provides patients with fuller, natural-looking hair. FUE stands for follicular unit extraction where individual follicular units are carefully extracted with a tiny surgical punch using a variety of devices. Hair loss can affect men or women–67% and 27%, respectively–and can impact a person’s confidence and make them look older than they are. (1) Hair loss can affect the hairline, the crown, or different areas of the scalp. With FUE, a surgeon can take hairs from the back of the head, which is less susceptible to hair loss–or other areas of the body, and place them into the areas that are suffering from hair loss. FUE is an improvement upon previous hair transplantation techniques, as the technique minimizes scarring and provides more natural-looking results.

At La Jolla Plastic Surgery and Dermatology, Dr. Richard Chaffoo is America’s First Triple Board-Certified Hair Transplant Plastic Surgeon who was named the top hair restoration surgeon in 2016 by Aesthetic Everything®. At our Southern California offices, we offer FUE hair transplants while incorporating cutting edge technology including NeoGraft and ARTAS® technology to provide patients with results that look and feel natural.

If you are experiencing hair loss or hair thinning, call the office location that is most convenient for you:

You are also welcome to fill out our contact form to set up an initial consultation.

About FUE

Modern advancements in hair transplantation technology have made the restoration process easier for surgeons and more beneficial for patients. Thanks to the features of both NeoGraft and ARTAS®, we can deliver natural-looking results in a more effective way than traditional methods.

Neograft

NeoGraft® is a handheld device that optimizes the hair extraction and placement process of FUE. The device features advanced suction technology to first remove the targeted hairs and employs pressure technology to place them in the areas that need more hair. Hair naturally occurs in groups of about two to three hairs (follicular units), and using NeoGraft®, Dr. Chaffoo can remove these groups in a way that will help minimize scarring. This technology is a great improvement from strip harvesting (FUT), which would leave a long scar where the hairs were extracted. It can also help hair professionals complete the process more comfortably and more effectively. (1)

ARTAS®

The ARTAS® device can automatically select, extract, and place donor hairs into the areas that suffer from hair loss. The robotic-assisted system helps to further optimize the tedious process of extracting and placing individual hair follicle groups. Hair professionals monitor the entire process to ensure that patients receive the most effective results. ARTAS® precisely targets hairs without damaging other structures. (2)

Benefits

FUE hair transplants have many benefits, including:

  • Minimally Invasive Procedure: FUE does not involve a large incision, resulting in a quicker healing time.
  • No Linear Scarring: Unlike older hair transplant techniques, FUE leaves only tiny dots of scar tissue that are nearly invisible once healed.
  • Natural-Looking Results: When performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, the results of an FUE hair transplant can blend seamlessly with existing hair.
  • Fast Recovery Time: Most patients return to regular activities within a few days.
  • Improved Hair Density: Patients can achieve fuller hair and better coverage in thinning areas.
  • Able to Restore Hairline: FUE effectively restores and reshapes hairlines, offering a youthful appearance.
  • Customizable Treatment: Each transplant is tailored to meet the specific needs and objectives of the patient.
  • Permanent Solution: Transplanted hair follicles are typically resistant to the effects of hair loss, providing long-lasting results.

Candidates

If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your hair because of hair loss, hair thinning from aging or a specific condition like androgenetic alopecia (pattern balding), you may be a good candidate for an FUE hair transplant. Patients must have sufficient hair available in the donor area, whether this is on the back of the head or other areas of the body. Patients should also be in good health and maintain realistic expectations. Candidates can be men or women who are suffering from hair loss. Dr. Chaffoo may not recommend hair transplantation for patients with active infections. (1)

Personal Consultation

FUE Hair Transplant La Jolla Plastic Surgery and Dermatology, Dr. Richard Chaffoo

During a personal consultation at one of our Southern California offices, our team will help you figure out the best way forward with your hair restoration journey. After a thorough examination of your scalp and the problem areas that you wish to address, we will design a treatment plan specifically for you. We will explain how the FUE process works, and ensure that you feel comfortable about undergoing treatment. We will need to know some specific details about your medical history, such as any medical conditions or infections you have had in the past.

To schedule this personal consultation, please call one of our office locations or fill out our contact form. We look forward to speaking with you!

Preparation

To prepare for your FUE hair transplant, we recommend that you undergo the necessary preoperative testing. This will help us determine whether or not you are a viable candidate for this kind of procedure.

You should avoid alcohol consumption for about a week before the treatment. You should also not smoke for some time before your procedure, as this could affect your results. Your hair professional will let you know how you should adjust your medication regimen before your treatment, if necessary. (1)

Procedure

At La Jolla Plastic Surgery and Dermatology, we enhance our FUE hair transplant procedures with all of the most advanced devices including NeoGraft and ARTAS. Typically, FUE procedures begin with Dr. Chaffoo shaving the targeted areas to prepare them for extraction. We will administer a local anesthetic to ensure that the procedure is more comfortable. With the handheld NeoGraft device, Dr. Chaffoo will first extract the hairs, and then place them into the areas that have suffered from hair loss. This process will take around 4-8 hours, which is an improvement to manual FUE. (1)

With ARTAS®, Dr. Chaffoo uses a robotic-assisted hair transplant system that combines different technological advancements to further optimize the hair transplant procedure. The system maps the scalp and targets the precise areas for extraction and placement. It can individually select the donor hairs and implant them into the areas that need them. This process takes about 4-8 hours as well, depending on the extent of the hair transplant. (2)

Recovery

The minimally invasive techniques of FUE improve the recovery process for hair transplant patients. It is normal to experience some tenderness in the treatment areas for the first few days after a hair transplant. We may advise that you use cold compresses for the areas that are causing discomfort. It can also help to sleep with your head elevated. You may notice that your treatment areas begin to scab as they heal, but you should avoid picking at these areas. We will provide with you a recovery routine that covers how to help the area heal. (1)

After the first few months, you will notice that your new hair has begun to grow. Hair growth is a gradual process, and some of the implanted hairs may shed before they grow back again. If you have any questions during your recovery, feel free to contact our office.

Results

Hair transplants are considered to be essentially permanent, as the transplanted hair often continues to grow for a lifetime. After a hair transplant with FUE, patients can expect to see results of a fuller head of hair, a restored hairline, and improved confidence. Patients must have realistic expectations about their results. Some patients may choose to undergo multiple hair transplantation sessions to achieve their desired results. (1)

Cost of an FUE Hair Transplant in Orange County

The cost of your FUE hair transplant will depend on several factors that we will help you determine during your personal consultation. Our practice offers financing options through a variety of different companies.

To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Chaffoo, please call one of our office locations or fill out our contact form.

FAQ

When can I return to normal activities after a hair transplant?

Generally, most individuals can return to light activities within a few days, while strenuous exercise may need to be avoided for about a week.

How many hair transplant sessions do I need?

The number of hair transplant sessions that would provide effective results for you is dependent on factors like the extent of the hair loss and your personal preferences. Some patients may prefer to undergo multiple hair transplant sessions to provide more comprehensive results.

How long is a hair transplant procedure?

The length of the hair transplant procedure can vary from patient to patient. The general time range is often 4-8 hours when using NeoGraft and ARTAS® technology for FUE.

Is a hair transplant robotically assisted?

A hair transplant can be robotically assisted with the help of ARTAS® technology, but your surgeon will always be monitoring the procedure.

Will my new hair look natural?

When performed by Dr. Chaffoo, FUE hair transplants result in a natural-looking appearance due to careful graft placement and selection.

References

  1. Zito PM, Raggio BS. Hair Transplantation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547740/
  2. Rashid RM. Follicular unit extraction with the ARTAS® robotic hair transplant system system: an evaluation of FUE yield. Dermatology Online Journal. 2014;20(4):22341. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24746303/