Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a method of obtaining donor hair for Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), where individual follicular units are harvested directly from the donor area, without the need for a linear incision. In this hair restoration procedure, a 1-mm punch is used to make a small circular incision in the skin around the upper part of the follicular unit  which is then extracted directly from the scalp.

Advantages

• No linear scar; important for those who wear their hair short
• Decreases healing time in the donor area
• Useful for those with a greater risk of donor scarring
• Ideal for repairing donor scars that cannot be excised
• No limitations on strenuous exercise after the procedure
• Less post-op discomfort
• Provides an alternative when the scalp is too tight for a strip excision
• Enables one to harvest finer hair from the nape of the neck to be used at the hairline or for eyebrows
• Makes it possible to harvest non-scalp hair; ex. beard or body hair
• More useful when a limited total number of grafts are needed

Disadvantages

Maximum follicular unit graft yield is lower than with FUT

Size of session is limited :

• Requires multiple sessions to equal the size of a single FUT