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Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant by Dr. Melissa Bender at Face Forward in Houston
Hair loss is a common issue that impacts many individuals, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, is a modern hair transplant technique that provides a practical and natural-looking solution to restore your hair loss. Dr. Melissa Bender offers this advanced procedure at Face Forward in Houston, Texas. You can rely on Dr. Melissa Bender’s expertise and her team of hair restoration specialists to deliver excellent results in rejuvenating your hairline.
Grow Your Goals
FUE refers to Follicular Unit Extraction. This technique is aimed at achieving highly natural-looking outcomes by relocating individual hair follicles, one at a time, from a donor region on the scalp to an area experiencing hair loss.
Transplanting single follicles instead of larger sections offers two main advantages. First, the donor site, where the follicles are taken from, avoids the formation of a noticeable scar. Each extracted follicle leaves behind a minuscule puncture that typically heals on its own within two to three days. No stitches, no visible scarring. Second, placing hairs individually allows for a more authentic appearance in the recipient area. By inserting each follicle separately, it's possible to replicate the natural growth pattern of hair. The recovery period is usually limited to just 3 to 4 days, and the effects are long-lasting.
FUE hair transplant at Face Forward
The success of a hair transplant often relies heavily on the skill and experience of the surgeon. Dr. Melissa Bender, a facial plastic surgeon with dual board certifications, brings extensive knowledge and expertise in cosmetic procedures aimed at helping individuals enhance their appearance, self-esteem, and sense of empowerment. With a strong background in hairline design and years of practice in performing hair restoration surgeries, she will work with you to assess your suitability for an FUE hair transplant and create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your goals and restores your confidence.
No One Will Know What’s Different
Hair loss can start as early as a person’s twenties or may occur later in life. For those looking to restore hair growth, there are numerous treatment options available. Among them, hair transplant surgery is known for delivering the most consistent and long-term results, with the FUE method widely regarded as the leading technique in modern hair restoration.
FUE is especially well-suited for individuals with thinning or balding in specific areas, while still maintaining strong, healthy hair in other regions of the scalp. It's common for people to lose hair at the crown, temples, or along the front hairline, yet retain dense hair at the back of the head. This area serves as the donor site, where individual follicles are carefully extracted and transplanted to the areas in need—such as the front, top, or sides—to achieve a fuller, more natural look. Some patients choose to undergo a hair transplant specifically to alter the contour of their hairline. This is often done alongside Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) to enhance the feminine appearance of the upper face. Typically, male hairlines have an "M" shape, with noticeable recession at the temples and a peak in the center, whereas female hairlines are usually more rounded. To create a softer, more feminine hairline, many FFS patients choose to have a hair transplant to lower the hairline, round out the corners, fill in the temples, or achieve a combination of these changes.
The FUE technique offers a natural-looking outcome without the need for a long, visible scar at the back of the scalp. It can be performed on its own or in combination with a surgical hairline advancement. While hairline advancement is frequently done during brow bone reduction in FFS, there are limits to how far the hairline can be moved. Scalp flexibility plays a major role, if the scalp is too tight, the advancement may be minimal. Dr. Melissa Bender takes a conservative approach, advancing the hairline only as far as the scalp allows to ensure optimal healing and minimal scarring. Some patients looking for an even lower hairline may choose to follow up with a hair transplant. Another limitation of hairline advancement is that it typically does not adjust the overall shape of the hairline. For those with pronounced temporal recessions, FUE may be necessary to fill those areas and create a more rounded, feminine contour. In either scenario, it is generally recommended to wait at least six months after the initial procedure before undergoing a transplant. This waiting period allows the incision to heal fully and ensures that the area has adequate blood flow to support healthy follicle growth and recovery.
For patients who prefer to avoid a visible scar after Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS), one option is to perform brow bossing reduction through a coronal incision and follow it with a hair transplant to lower the hairline. In many cases, the hair transplant can be scheduled within the same week as the FFS procedure. Because hair transplants are done in-office, take several hours, and require the patient to lie face-down for an extended period, they are not performed at the same time as FFS surgery. However, by scheduling the transplant just a few days after surgery, patients benefit from a single recovery period and only one time away from work or daily routines. You deserve to feel confident in your appearance. If a fuller and restored hairline, a reshaped hairline can help you do that, we can assist you in achieving those results.
Dr. Melissa Bender and the team at Face Forward Houston are dedicated to making your surgical experience as smooth and comfortable as possible. We invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bender, where you can ask any questions about the FUE hair transplant and learn more about your eligibility for the procedure. During your visit, Dr. Bender will review your medical history and carefully evaluate your scalp to provide personalized recommendations tailored to your needs.
Good Hair is Always in Style
To access the donor follicles, a small section of the scalp will be shaved. This area is discreetly located and surrounded by normal hair, making it virtually unnoticeable, even when wearing a ponytail. A local anesthetic is applied to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. Using a precision micro punch tool, hair follicles are carefully extracted from an area with dense hair growth. Tiny incisions are then made in the recipient area, where the follicles are strategically placed to achieve natural-looking results. Mild soreness is common following the procedure but typically resolves within a few days to a week.
In the donor area, only every third or fourth hair follicle is harvested. This careful spacing allows the surrounding hairs to grow back normally, maintaining a full appearance. Once the hair regrows, the donor area will not look noticeably thinner, and any signs of the transplant procedure will be virtually undetectable.
Gradual Gains. Maximum Outcome.
To ensure your transplanted hair integrates properly, it's essential to follow all aftercare instructions closely, especially when it comes to when you can wet, wash, or comb your hair. New hair growth typically begins around three to four months after the procedure. When performed successfully, the vast majority of transplanted follicles will take root and grow. The results are long-lasting and considered permanent.
Carefully following all aftercare instructions is key to helping the transplanted follicles establish themselves and grow healthy, natural hair. After the initial healing period, the transplanted hair will grow just like the rest of your hair. Dr. Melissa Bender will provide personalized guidance on how to care for your scalp and hair to support the best possible results, both now and in the long term.
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with a hair transplant. These may include infection, swelling, and bleeding. Additionally, there is a possibility that some follicles may not successfully take root in the transplant area.
The cost of your procedure will depend on the number of hairs to be transplanted. During your consultation, Dr. Melissa Bender and her team will assess the area you’d like treated and provide a personalized cost estimate based on your specific needs and goals.
Hair restoration surgery is typically considered a cosmetic procedure, so it is not usually covered by insurance.
FUT, or Follicular Unit Transplant, is a hair restoration technique in which a strip of hair-bearing scalp is removed from the donor area. The strip is then carefully dissected into individual follicular units, which are transplanted one by one into the targeted area. Dr. Melissa Bender is experienced in both FUT and FUE procedures and will recommend the approach that best aligns with your specific goals and needs after a thorough consultation.
Schedule Your Houston Plastic Surgery Consultation Today
The Face Forward process starts with a consultation. You will meet with Dr. Rodman (either in the office or via video call) to discuss the result or look you want to achieve. Dr. Rodman will review and educate you about your options and schedule you for the procedure of your choice. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled as necessary. Achieve your look and enjoy the new you! Schedule your consultation for plastic surgery in Houston at Face Forward today.
1900 North Loop West, Suite 580, Houston TX 77018
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Tuesday - 9am - 5pm
Wednesday - 9am - 5pm
Thursday - 9am - 5pm
Friday - 7:30am - 3:30pm
