Question:
In the procedure of Follicular Unit Excision does it need stitches in the head afterward? Does the area where the follicles were removed heal so that there is a scar there?

Answer:
In the procedure for Follicular Unit Excision or FUE, there are no stitches in the donor area. The donor follicular units are removed individually using a small circular punch instrument. After a short period of time, approximately four to six days, there is complete healing of the donor wounds and there is no scar present.

It should be noted, however, that if multiple large FUE procedures are done on the same patient over a period of time, the tiny little scars could eventually start connecting and there could be a general thinning appearance of the donor area. This is in comparison to a fine linear scar that is left with the follicular unit transplant where a strip is removed from the donor area.

Posted by: Dr. Charles