Why the result of the FUE method is considered ‘cosmetically scar-free’.
Surgeries are never scar-free. This also applies to all types of hair transplantation. FUE hair transplantation is also in no way scar-free!
BUT: FUE hair transplantation (Follicular Unit Extraction) does not require a scalpel. After extraction through a hollow drill, the extraction sites heal into tiny punctate scars that appear as tiny white dots. Since these are barely visible, the FUE method is often considered ‘cosmetically scar-free’ – in contrast to the older FUT method (Follicular Unit Transplantation), which leaves a fine longitudinal scar at the back of the head. However, from a medical point of view, both methods produce equally minor scars that differ only in their shape: While FUE hair transplantation leaves discrete white dots, FUT leaves a fine white line. Since the small dots – unlike the line – remain inconspicuous even with very short haircuts, the medically not entirely correct term ‘cosmetically scar-free’ has become established.
The difference between the two procedures lies in the way the hair roots are removed from the crown of hair at the back of the head:
TODAY: Modern FUE hair transplantation involves harvesting individual hair root systems (follicular units or FU) directly from the back of the head. These grafts (also called ‘grafts’) consist of approximately 1-3 hairs each. The removal sites, which are approximately 1mm in size, heal to form the barely visible white punctate scars described above. This makes it easy to wear modern and very pronounced short haircuts.