Is it possible to get a FUE hair transplant without shaving my head?

Question

On Finasteride, hairline has stopped receding. Also, let's say I don't like how it looks after a year and I wish to shave it or switch to a hair system. Would the scars be very noticeable? I am taking Fin daily, minoxidil 5-7x/week, and dermarolling with 1.5mm every 1-2 weeks. I am planning on going to Turkey for a FUE, but I don't want to shave my head completely unless there is no way around it.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Follicular Unit Extraction involves taking each hair follicle out using a small cylindrical instrument. You can imagine, the short hairs need to fit inside this small cylinder.  Long hair FUE is possible but it is usually technically inefficient and the transection rate of harming the hair follicle is greater.

Kevin Ende, MD · Answer

Most FUE procedures are performed by shaving the area although other nonshave techniques exist and are more time consuming and yield less grafts per session.

David Deutsch, MD · Answer

When looking at your photos the length of hair in your donor area is about where we want it for FUE-no other area (recipient) needs to be clipped. However,the most important issue in your case (based on your age and pattern) is to establish a long term treatment plan which will take into account future hair loss and overall donor supply.I would recommend consulting with an experienced Hair Restoration surgeon to develope a treatment strategy appropriate for your situation.

Michael Vories, MD · Answer

In your situation there is no need to shave your entire scalp. The only areas that must be clipped (not shaven) is the donor area on the sides and back, which from the photos already appear close to the length needed for extraction. The top of the scalp can be left alone as the grafts will be focused in the frontal area and hairline.

Tayfun Oguzoglu, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.
If I understand you correctly, you are fine with shaving the donor region solely. Given your age, it makes more sense to focus on "almost" bald areas, and spare the sparse regions at this time round.
We can only shave the donor region and keep the hairs on top as it is now, and mostly work on the frontal part and mid-lock.
As your donor region photos are taken under bright light conditions, I don't believe it represents the whole picture, and therefore the donor looks thin/sparse.

Sait Gokhan Bircan, MD. · Answer

Hello, 
Yes, it is possible to perform the operation without shaving your head, only donor area will be shaved for grafts extraction. In this case we advice DHI technique. For natural hairline you will need around 3200-3400 grafts. In this technique hairs transplants directly to your head with special Choi pens without opening the channels between already existing hairs.

Artur Kierach, MD · Answer

If you are expecting good density, answer is no. Without shaving we are able to extract much less grafts, so it can be solution for very small cases. At the end, your hair on donor is already short.Implantation between long hairs in possible but takes more time. So in big cases we are loosing time and let grafts being outside the body for long time - you can imagine it doesn't sound good for them.

Arslan Musbeh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. it is possible to perform the fue hair transplant without shaving the recipient area. Shaving the donor area is mandatory for the grafts extraction. According to your pictures, the grafts estimation will be around 2500  grafts to restore the hairline with maximum density possible.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. I understand your frustration and anxiety over your thinning hair. However I strongly suggest you take a deep breath and really think things thru before going to Turkey. You are 24 years old, you will continue to lose hair so you need to make sure you have a long term plan in place. If you go now and get a transplant you run the risk of depleting your donor area. Please do your research on doctors, you need to find one, preferably in the US, that will be honest with you and do what is best fo you NOT what you want to hear. Be conservative. I wish you the best.Dr. T

Ozlem Bicer, MD · Answer

After the examining your hair, I suggest that you need least 3500-4000 grefts with high density. Especially for your front line and corners. But I have to mention that you have to use your back hair longer than 1-2 cm. I can either make FUE without shaving and classic FUE. It depends on your wish.

Is it possible to get a FUE hair transplant without shaving my head?

Answers (14)

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