Follicular Unit Excision is a surgical hair restoration technique where individual follicular units — natural groupings of 1–4 hairs — are extracted from a donor area (typically the back and sides of the scalp, where hair is genetically resistant to DHT) using a precise micro-punch tool.
Each extracted follicular unit is then carefully prepared and transplanted into recipient sites created in the thinning or bald areas. When placed at the correct angle, direction, and density, the result is completely indistinguishable from natural hair growth.
FUE-transplanted hair is permanent because donor follicles from the back and sides retain their genetic resistance to DHT (the hormone that causes pattern baldness) even after transplantation — they continue growing in their new location for life.
The key advantage of FUE over older strip (FUT) techniques is the absence of a linear scar. Individual extraction leaves tiny circular scars invisible to the naked eye, allowing patients to wear their hair short without any telltale scar. Recovery is also significantly faster.