One of the major concerns for patients considering hair restoration surgery is the amount of pain during and after the procedure.

There are two types of procedures: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) & Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). They have many similarities but differ primarily on the technique used to harvest the follicles. Unfortunately, not everyone is an ideal candidate for the less invasive procedure. The level of discomfort is directly associated with the procedure selected.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

Is a surgical procedure in which hair follicles are harvested from a strip of skin surgically removed from the scalp, typically ear to ear.  The surgical site is closed with sutures and prescription medication is usually prescribed for pain after the procedure.  The FUT method may result in unpleasant symptoms such as lingering pain and numbness from the surgical excision and/or tightness or tingling of the scalp.  This method also leaves a linear scar which eliminates options for shorter hairstyles.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

This method is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require a linear surgical excision of the scalp.  Hair follicles are harvested individually from the back of the scalp using a device designed so that no surgical incision or stitches are required.  Patients experience little or no pain after the procedure.

Here at Estetigraft (hair transplant surgery in West Palm Beach) we prioritize the less invasive procedure, Follicular Unit Extraction. Our goal is to deliver amazing results during cosmetic procedures with shortest amount of recovery time. The Follicular Unit Extraction is an outpatient procedure utilizing the latest technology for hair restoration. This procedure has become popular around the world because of its natural results and the ability to harvest all the follicles necessary without cutting or leaving scars. With FUE the patient has significantly less   chances of experiencing post- operative symptoms such as: pain, discomfort, pressure, numbness, etc.

We have determined the following protocol offers the least amount of discomfort during the procedure. The patient is first given a 10 mg valium tablet that aids in relaxation. After receiving a short haircut, the patient is injected with a local anesthetic (Lidocane) in the donor area. Harvesting takes 2-4 hours depending on the number of grafts available. It is critical that every follicle be dissected intact. A patient can lose a significant amount of follicles during surgery due to a lack of experience from the practitioner performing the extractions. The last part of the procedure is the orchestration of the new hair sites or hairlines and the manual implantation. This last segment is extremely important and requires the artistry, follicle placement and technique of the team be precise to give the patient a natural result.

All of our patients agree that the injection of local anesthesia is the only uncomfortable part of the experience. Once the area was anesthetized the patient was pain free throughout the rest of the procedure. Surgeries usually last 6- 8 hours depending on the amount of grafts required. Following the hair restoration surgery the patient may have some tenderness and minor discomfort which will be subside over the next 48 hours and may be alleviated with Tylenol or prescription pain medication.

Recovery for most patients is fairly fast and they are able to return to their normal activities within 48 hours with a few exceptions. Patients should refrain from swimming, direct sun exposure, high levels of cardio, heavy lifting and anything that increases the heart rate for the first 5 days. Detailed instructions are given by our surgeon in order to achieve the best cosmetic outcome. Tenderness, minor swelling, and itching may be experienced post procedure.

Estetigraft (Palm Beach Gardens)is part of the Estetica Institute (Plastic Surgery) family. We are a boutique hair restoration center dedicated to perform only one hair procedure per day and guaranteeing a natural and permanent result for all our patients.  For more information or to schedule a free consultation, please call 561-776-9555 or visit estetigraft.com.