FUE Hair Transplant - Glasgow

Dr Epameinondas Bonaros is a leading hair transplant expert offering an advanced FUE hair transplant in Glasgow from his state of the art hair transplant clinic.

Among both men and women, common causes of hair loss include androgenetic alopecia, scalp infections, alopecia areata, and scarring with common hair thinning areas and balding patterns displaying on the crown or mid-scalp, or as a receding hairline.

Dr Bonaros is a highly experienced FUE hair transplant surgeon who is committed to delivering high quality hair loss solutions to men and women across the UK. Other hair loss treatments include medications.

Regain your confidence with a FUE hair transplant at Dr Bonaros’ hair transplant clinic in Scotland. Book an appointment or consultation.

Advancements in Hair Loss Treatments

Hair restoration has come a long way since the days of invasive hair transplants that left severe scarring and doll-like circular hair plugs. With new technology, such as the follicular hair transplant method, good hair transplants are no longer noticeable and achieve much better results.

If you are contemplating taking the next step in conquering thinning hair and saying so long to baldness, the FUE hair transplant surgery is the perfect procedure for you.

In the past, groups of up to 50 to 100 hairs were removed from a donor strip and placed together in the thinning areas. This left a spotty appearance of areas of hair and no hair along the scalp. To put it bluntly, those with a keen eye could tell instantly that a hair transplant had occurred, and it wasn’t a good one. Plus, the scarring was often quite evident.

Then we have the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), also known as the “strip” method, which involves removing a strip of skin with healthy hair with a scalpel from the back of the head. During the microscopic follicular unit transplant, the strip is placed under the microscope and the technicians carefully dissect the strip into individual hair follicles. After surgery, the donor area of the scalp is stitched closed and the stitches are removed after ten days, leaving the donor area to heal with a small linear scar.

Today, there is an even more effective and efficient method known as the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant procedure. This is the method we use at our clinic.

Dr Bonaros’ clinic is one of the best hair transplant clinics for a FUE hair transplant in Glasgow. Book an appointment or consultation today.

What is a FUE Hair Transplant?

The FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplant is a highly advanced, sutureless cosmetic procedure to treat hair loss. Hair follicles are harvested one by one from the back of the head under local anaesthesia and implanted into bald spots on the crown, mid-scalp or hairline.

The advantages of the FUE implantation method compared to the traditional FUT hair transplant are:

– No linear scar
– Minimally invasive
– Quicker recovery time and less discomfort
– Virtually undetectable scarring
– Ability to wear your hair very short

Book a micro FUE hair transplant in Scotland with Dr Bonaros — Scotland’s only full member of the ISHRS.

Schedule a free consultation over Zoom today.

How are FUE Hair Transplants Done?

On the day of your FUE hair implant procedure, you are welcomed at our state-of-the-art hair transplant clinic in Glasgow by our team and Dr Bonaros, the lead hair transplant surgeon, who will take you through the procedure and consent forms in detail.

You can rest assured that each step of your hair transplant will be performed using only the highest international standards. We are aligned with the International Society of Hair Restoration Society (ISHRS) and stay up to date on the latest developments in the industry.

Preparation

To prepare the donor area for harvesting the grafts, the hair is usually clipped short to about 1-2mm. This length allows optimal harvesting.

Once the donor area is trimmed, we take digital photos with our wireless, polarising digital Trichoscope to identify the unique qualities of the follicular units. This innovative device reveals the characteristics of your hair follicles, such as the hair direction, angle, curl of hair, cross-sectional diameter of the hair shaft, and the proportion of hair per graft.

We use this to make data-based decisions on the type and size of the equipment we will use and create the best strategies for each patient.

Extraction

The FUE procedure starts with either manual or motorised extraction of healthy hair follicles from the safe donor area. The latter is located on the back and sides of the head where the hair is genetically resistant to male pattern baldness.

The hair follicles are extracted using special surgical micro-punches with sizes ranging from 0.6 mm to 1 mm. We select the micro-punch size based on each patient’s hair characteristics to minimise follicular transection and trauma.

The hair grafts are always harvested in a random and homogeneous pattern with adequate spacing between harvest sites. Since only a small percentage of the donor hairs are removed, the effect is barely noticeable when performed by experienced specialists. The remaining hair surrounding the extracted hair grows to cover the spots, making the FUE harvesting virtually undetectable.

After a FUE hair transplant, patients can typically wear their hair short, such as a number 1 or 2-grade cut. The tiny dot scars that remain are less than 1 mm and hard to see with the naked eye.

Graft Inspection & Classification

Once extracted, the grafts are placed into a petri dish and passed to our highly trained technicians who carefully inspect each follicle under high magnification microscopy. Our stereomicroscopes produce a three-dimensional visualisation of the grafts, allowing their methodic and meticulous evaluation. The grafts are then classified based on their specific attributes, such as hair shaft thickness and the number of hairs per graft.

The intraoperative use of the stereomicroscope is our standard practice for graft inspection and quality control. It is superior to naked-eye or slight magnification handling and guarantees better results.

Graft Storage

A critical factor in successful hair transplantation procedures is appropriate biopreservation of the hair follicles. Once the hair transplant grafts are removed from the body, they are subjected to a series of stresses, like dehydration and hypoxia, that reduce their viability.

During a FUE hair transplant in Glasgow at our clinic, we store the hair follicles in chilled HypoThermosol® solution while they wait to be implanted.

HypoThermosol® is an optimised storage solution that has been shown to increase the viability of hair grafts following a period of ex vivo storage. Using Hypothermosol® for hair transplant procedures is becoming the industry standard and is used by the world’s leading hair transplant surgeons and hair transplant clinics to address a critical point during hair transplant surgery and improve the viability of grafts.

We understand that other hair transplant clinics use less expensive graft storage solutions such as saline or Ringer’s lactate solution. However, we feel that the added investment in HypoThermosol® is a worthwhile step in our efforts to achieve the highest possible rates of graft survival.

From this point, we can begin to implant the hair.

What is Direct Hair Implantation?

Direct Hair Implantation is another name for the sharp implantation technique. Utilising the latest technology in hair transplant techniques, it involves the direct implantation of the follicles into the recipient area using special hair implanter pens instead of regular forceps.

Traditionally, with the forceps technique, the surgeon will use a blade to make incisions on the patient’s scalp, and the technicians place the grafts in those incisions using forceps. The forceps placement technique can result in poor outcomes as the grafts are susceptible to repetitive placement trauma and desiccation. Considerable skill is required to hold the graft without crushing the bulb region and insert the graft bulb without traumatising the graft.

Dr Bonaros is a FUE expert who specialises in the advanced technology of hair implanter pens, which overcomes the above limitations and eliminates the need for premade incisions on the scalp. Using hair implanter pens for a direct hair transplant allows for complete control over the direction, angle, depth, and density of the hair follicles, thus delivering more natural results.

The hair transplant results are natural-looking, aesthetically pleasing and provide a high level of patient satisfaction.

The hair transplant technicians load the hair follicles on the implanters and pass them to Dr Bonaros, who performs the hair implantation. You can watch a short video of the direct implantation here.

The hair implanter pen is a graft placement device taking the form of a pen. The implanter has a plunger, and when depressed, a stylus will push the graft out of the device into the skin. The sharp implanter tip enables the hair transplant surgeon to create the recipient site and implant the grafts in a single movement. Therefore, the hair bulb is never handled with forceps during the implantation. On the contrary, it is protected by the implanter’s wall during the graft’s insertion. The hair follicles are implanted fast and efficiently without the risk of repetitive placement trauma.

Our clinic does not rely on the traditional, reusable Choi implanter pens. We implant your grafts using cutting edge technology — novel, high quality, single-use implanters that provide increased safety, efficiency, and superior performance.

For a quality hair transplant in Glasgow using trusted hair transplant techniques, book your appointment with Dr Bonaros. Not ready to book? Request a consultation at our Glasgow hair transplant clinic or schedule a free online consultation.

Risks and Side Effects of FUE Hair Transplants

Hair transplants usually cause only minor side effects that subside within a few weeks. You may experience a tight, swollen scalp for a few days. This procedure can also cause temporary scabs on the recipient area. Dr Bonaros will advise you on minimising these side effects to heal more quickly.

The timeline for recovery and results is one of the most common questions people have once their FUE hair transplant is complete. You can read our guide on the growth and recovery following a FUE hair transplant here.

At our hair transplant clinic, you will have access to ongoing support and assistance in monitoring your hair growth progress and preventing potential problems. It is always a pleasure to see our patients again and hear how the procedure has benefited them.

Contraindications for FUE

Although hair transplantation is a simple procedure done under local anaesthesia, there are contraindications for the procedure, such as:

Active autoimmune disease
Uncontrolled diabetes
Uncontrolled hypertension
Patients allergic to local anaesthetic
Certain skin conditions, such as keloids and pemphigus
Severe systemic and scalp infections

Patients with contraindications to surgery may experience poor growth and suboptimal results and, in some cases, may even experience worse hair density due to a flare-up of underlying hair disease.

FAQs

Is the FUE procedure painful?

The FUE procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia. You will be fully awake, but you won’t feel any pain. The injections may cause mild discomfort, which is why we use our Kinetic Anaesthesia Device.

This cutting edge device diminishes the discomfort associated with local anaesthetic injections. After this, the rest of the procedure will be painless, resulting in a pleasant and easy patient experience.

Are hair transplants noticeable?

The FUE procedure is minimally invasive and has a short recovery period. Within 7–10 days after a FUE hair transplant, the procedure is barely noticeable, and within 4–6 weeks, it is virtually undetectable.

Who performs the FUE hair transplant surgery?

Hair transplantation using FUE requires skill and precision. Ask your hair transplant doctor if they or their technicians do the graft extraction & implantation as many FUE hair transplant doctors do not perform these elements of the FUE hair procedure, leaving it to their technicians.

At our hair transplant clinic, Dr Bonaros personally performs all of the steps of the procedure from start to finish. He and his team will make you feel at home and explain the whole FUE hair transplant process as it happens.

The FUE hair transplant at our clinic in Glasgow generally takes four to eight hours, depending on the number of follicles needed. The whole experience can be pretty relaxing so many of our clients choose to listen to music or even take a nap during this time.

Upon leaving our clinic, we will provide you with everything you need to take care of your grafts during the first few weeks after your FUE hair transplant treatment, including detailed, tailored post-operative instructions. Some patients return to light work the day following surgery, although most prefer to take a few days off.

Do patients have to shave their entire heads for a hair transplant?

Patients undergoing hair restoration surgery do not always have to shave their full head. Shaving lines of hair off the back of the head is an excellent option for males and females that wear their hair long and want a discreet hair transplant. FUE hair transplantation can also be performed partially unshaven, in which only the hair in the donor area is shaved to allow patients to maintain their hairstyle.

A fully unshaven procedure is not suitable for all patients, particularly if they have suffered extensive hair loss requiring many grafts. During your consultation, Dr Bonaros will recommend the hair transplant procedure that will give you the best results.

For white or blond hair, our standard practice is to use a temporary dye after shaving the hair. This improves the visualisation of the individual follicles and increases the accuracy and speed of follicular excision.

Who is a good candidate for hair restoration surgery?

Hair transplant surgery is not appropriate for everyone. Factors such as hair loss diagnosis, age, general health, hair loss stability, and donor hair density all influence whether or not a patient will receive excellent results from a FUE hair treatment.

We consider all these factors together when determining whether someone is a good candidate or not. While someone might have a low density of hair follicles in the donor areas, they may have other favourable hair characteristics that offset the disadvantage of the hair density.

How much does the FUE procedure cost?

The procedure has no set cost because it is as individual as the patient and their hair loss. Your hair transplant cost will depend on the clinic you choose, the type of hair transplantation procedure you undergo, the complexity of your case, and the number of grafts you need.

The cost of hair transplants using FUE in Scotland varies according to the hair transplant surgeon’s expertise and the clinic’s philosophy. It is not uncommon for retail chains to outsource FUE doctors and perform more than one procedure at a time. They may also offer discounts based on volume. In some cases, poorly trained technicians are left to perform the work.

While you may believe you benefit from receiving a great deal, this belief is short-lived.

Poor graft growth and unfixable scars in the donor area make your dream of great results a nightmare. Hair transplant costs should be considered in terms of long-term satisfaction and results, not only how much you can save. Getting a hair transplant at our clinic in Glasgow will cost you about £3-4 per graft. For more information on the costs of a hair transplant, click here.

Are FUE hair transplants permanent?

FUE hair restoration procedures are a permanent solution for the implanted hair. FUE hair transplant procedures restore thinning areas with permanent results at the transplant site, but do not stop future hair loss. So, even though the transplanted hair will grow permanently, there is always the chance the patient will continue losing their pre-existing hair.

That is why non-surgical hair restoration treatments are so important and should be considered first or in conjunction with hair transplants.

Patients should be aware that maintenance procedures may be necessary if they develop further hair loss.

Can you repair a botched hair transplant?

The FUE method for corrective hair restoration involves removing unaesthetic hair transplants, re-transplanting them, and adding hair grafts. If scarring or over harvesting has reduced the number of scalp donor hairs, hair from the beard or other body parts may be used.

Dr Bonaros is often called to perform revision work on patients whose prior hair transplants left unsightly scars or an unnatural look. In some cases, a botched hair transplant cannot be repaired through surgery.

How to choose the right hair transplant clinic and team

Having an online or face-to-face consultation with your surgeon before the hair transplant procedure is very important. Consultants are important — they give basic information about the procedure — but only licensed physicians can offer medical advice, much less surgical recommendations.

Only a hair restoration doctor can fully assess your case and propose a hair transplant treatment plan suited to you. Meeting with the surgeon is also a good chance to establish trust and rapport, which will mitigate the feeling of anxiety and improve your overall experience. The doctor-patient relationship is a powerful part of the medical procedure, and its nature impacts patient outcomes.

In addition, read online reviews, enquire about everyone’s qualifications, ask to see before and after pictures, and make sure you understand the hair transplant method they use.

Bolster your self confidence with our advanced hair transplants in Glasgow that deliver permanent, natural looking results. Book an appointment with Dr Bonaros today.

Dr Bonaros: A FUE Hair Transplant Specialist that Cares

Dr Bonaros is a ISHRS member and the leading hair transplant surgeon at our Glasgow hair transplant clinic.

ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) is a global medical association that holds the highest standards of medical practice, medical ethics, and research in the medical hair restoration field.

Our hair loss solutions include FUE hair implants for the scalp, body and beard, as well as non-surgical treatments such as Finasteride and Minoxidil.

If you are considering a hair transplant and live in Glasgow, Edinburgh, or anywhere in Scotland, we have a state-of-the-art hair transplant clinic in Scotland and offer online consultations to our patients all over the world. Fill out our online assessment form — You will receive first advice and a cost estimate within 48 hours of sending your request to Dr Bonaros.

Get in touch with our hair transplant clinic to learn more about the safe and long lasting results of our FUE hair transplant in Glasgow.