Follicular Unit Extraction: Technique to Aid Graft Extraction—How I Do It?

In the 2017 paper, Dr. Muhammad Ahmad described a technique to improve the outcomes of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a common method for hair restoration surgery. The technique involves using tumescent anesthesia to increase the distance between hairs and make them more erect, thus changing the angle of hair shaft exit. This is followed by applying digital pressure with the thumb to further adjust the hair angle, which aids in the extraction process by reducing transection rates and minimizing skin removal with the grafts. The paper emphasized the importance of understanding hair anatomy and variations, as well as the impact of interhair distance and the angle of hair shaft exit on the success of FUE. The technique was particularly noted to be beneficial for body hair transplants where hair shaft angles are very acute. The paper concluded that the use of hypertumescence to increase interhair distance, combined with digital maneuvers, can decrease transection rates and result in less skin removal during FUE.