Specializing in FUE hair transplants for over 30+ years
Experience the best in hair restoration with FUE hair transplants at Tampa Bay Hair Restoration. Dr. Michael Markou is the leading FUE hair transplant doctor in the Tampa Bay area with over 30+ years of experience. We provide follicular unit excision (FUE) hair transplants using state-of-the-art technology, including ARTAS iXi, Trivellini, and NeoGraft. Want to find out if a FUE hair transplant is the right option for your hair loss concerns? Schedule a free consultation to get started today!
Follicular unit excision (FUE), previously known as follicular unit extraction, is a modern hair transplant technique designed to restore hair growth in areas affected by pattern baldness or thinning. FUE is one of the two most common hair transplant methods used by doctors today. This technique uses naturally occurring follicular units to promote new hair growth. Follicular units, or hair grafts, are naturally occurring groups of hair found on the scalp. Each unit typically consists of one to four individual hair strands (or follicles), though units containing a single hair are also common. When performing FUE hair transplant surgeries, the doctor will meticulously harvest and transplant these follicular units to the area affected by hair loss.
Unlike traditional hair transplant techniques that require large plugs, FUE is less invasive and leaves no linear scarring. Previous to FUE, hair transplants required 3-4 mm hair plugs to be removed from the back of the scalp. This would often result in an unnatural-looking appearance that was more noticeable to others. The FUE technique allows for the preservation of the natural grouping of hair, which is essential for maintaining the hair’s natural growth patterns and achieving an aesthetically pleasing transplant that’s undetectable to others. Hair transplant surgeons can create more natural-looking results that closely mimics the patient’s original hairline.
The FUE hair transplant method offers a range of benefits that have made this technique a preferred choice among many patients. Here are some of the key benefits of the FUE hair transplant:
Performing FUE hair transplants manually can be a labor-intensive process that requires doctors to dissect hundreds to thousands of individual follicular units, or hair follicles. This is why professional devices have been developed by leading researchers and engineers to perfect the FUE technique and significantly improve the results from the procedure. The success and precision of follicular unit excision hair transplants largely depend on the devices used during the procedure. These specialized tools are designed to ensure minimal damage to hair follicles during extraction and implantation, leading to better outcomes and faster recovery. The best FUE hair transplant devices used today include:
If you’re looking for the best possible results from a FUE hair transplant, then ARTAS® is your answer. The ARTAS® robotic hair transplant system is the most sophisticated and technologically advanced device to be introduced to the field of hair restoration. The FDA-cleared system features advanced digital imaging, precision robotics, and Artificial Intelligence to extract and transplant healthy hair follicles using the FUE hair transplant technique. The physician-assisted robotic technology has completely revolutionized the industry with its unparalleled performance and results. It provides consistent, accurate extraction with the most minimal damage to hair follicles. ARTAS is the most expensive device used for FUE hair transplants and doctors also must be trained to use the system, which is why you’ll notice that not every hair transplant center will offer the procedure. If you want the best of the best, look for an experienced doctor who provides ARTAS FUE hair transplants. Dr. Markou at Tampa Bay Hair Restoration has been using the ARTAS system since it was first introduced in 2011.
If you’re looking for a more affordable procedure or are in the very early stages of hair loss, then the Trivellini® hair transplant system is your next best option. Trivellini® is a handheld device that assists the doctor in hair transplants using the FUE hair transplant technique. It was developed to address some of the limitations of traditional hair transplant methods. The Trivellini system improves the FUE method by offering a more sophisticated approach to extracting and implanting hair follicles. One of the standout features is its ability to use different modes of operation during the extraction phase, including oscillation, vibration and rotation modes. This multiphasic approach facilitates the gentle and efficient removal of hair follicles from the donor area, reducing the risk of damage to the follicles and improving graft viability. With the new Trivellini system, doctors can enhance the precision, efficiency, and outcomes of FUE hair transplant surgeries for their patients.
While less and less used these days, NeoGraft® is another great option for FUE hair transplants. NeoGraft® was the first device ever used for hair transplant surgery, also making it the oldest device used today. It was originally created to increase the accuracy and time of the manual follicular unit excision method, back when it was known as follicular unit extraction. The procedure utilizes a handheld device to extract individual hair follicles and transplant them into areas of thinning or balding hair. It combines precision technology with pneumatic pressure to enhance the efficiency and success of hair transplants. This gentle suction minimizes trauma to the follicles and surrounding tissues, although not as effectively as ARTAS. The system also allows for precise placement of follicles in the recipient area, ensuring that the direction, angle, and depth of the implanted hairs mimic natural hair growth patterns.
While there are different devices available that claim to provide similar results, the truth is that ARTAS outperforms everything else, including NeoGraft, SmartGraft and other handheld devices. The key difference is that devices like NeoGraft are handheld and manually operated. They require the doctor to manually perform the hair transplant, while the ARTAS system uses precision robotics to assist the doctor. At Tampa Bay Hair Restoration, we strive to provide our patients with the best technology for superior results. We’re proud to offer all three of the top devices used for FUE, including ARTAS, Trivellini, and NeoGraft. Not sure which device is right for you? Get in touch with us today to find out!
FUE hair transplant is a less invasive, surgical hair transplant procedure. The FUE hair transplant process involves three main stages: preparation, extraction, and implantation, each meticulously performed to ensure the best possible outcome. Here are the main steps to the FUE hair transplant procedure:
The success of the FUE hair transplant procedure depends on the skill and experience of the surgeon. This is why it’s important to consult with a qualified and experienced hair transplant surgeon. Dr. Markou is one of the leading hair transplant surgeons in the country, specializing in FUE hair transplants for over 30 years. It’s also important to note that the FUE hair transplant procedure may not be the best option for everyone. We recommend scheduling a free consultation today to determine if the procedure is right for you.
Before the FUE hair transplant procedure can begin, hair will need to be trimmed to the appropriate length within the donor area. The donor area is the area of the head that is unaffected by hair loss, where healthy follicular units will be taken for transplantation. Hair in the donor area is recommended to be 1 mm in length or shorter. This will provide the doctor with a clear view to identify and harvest the best follicular units for new growth. Once hair has been trimmed, the FUE hair transplant doctor will apply a local anesthetic to minimize pain. While FUE is virtually painless, a local anesthetic ensures there’s minimal to no discomfort for the patient.
Once a local anesthetic has been applied, the FUE hair transplant procedure begins with the surgeon extracting individual hair follicles from the donor area, typically the back or sides of the scalp where hair is more resistant to balding. Using a professional medical device, such as the ARTAS robot or Trivellini, each follicular unit is removed with minimal discomfort and without the need for a scalpel or suturing. Once extracted, the follicular units are carefully inspected and prepared under a microscope. This step ensures that only the healthiest grafts are selected for transplantation, enhancing the success rate of the procedure. Extracted grafts are preserved in a special solution to maintain their viability.
Once healthy hair grafts have been extracted and harvested, they will then be transplanted back into the recipient area using the follicular unit excision method. The recipient area is the section of the scalp where healthy hair follicles are transplanted to, usually found near the top and crown of head where hair loss commonly occurs. This final stage involves creating tiny incisions or slits in the recipient area and carefully implanting the prepared follicular units. The angle, depth, and direction of these incisions are carefully planned to ensure a natural look. The FUE hair transplant surgeon meticulously places each harvested hair graft at a specific angle and density to mimic natural hair growth patterns, ensuring a seamless and natural-looking result. The transplanted hairs now located in the recipient site will continue to grow almost identically to those still found in the donor site.
Unlike older hair transplants, FUE does not require any stitches or suturing to close post-extraction wounds. This results in fewer complications and a quicker recovery. Any small wounds left behind from the procedure will be very tiny “punch marks” that will completely close over the next few days. Due to the less invasive nature of the FUE hair transplant, patients are able to return back to their normal schedule within the next day or two. The donor area will appear like a short haircut within the next week or so. Follow-up appointments are recommended to monitor the healing process and the new growth of transplanted hair.
(727) 446-0608
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Disclaimer: *All patient or client images, videos and testimonials are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual diagnoses, medical conditions, goals and results. Every individual case is unique therefore, results may vary from person to person. All testimonials are provided voluntarily by our patients without monetary compensation and all photos and videos have been consented to for public release and have not been altered in any way. The content contained herein is for education only and should not be considered medical advice. Medical advice may only be given through a one-on-one, private consultation with a physician.
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