We all have gone through the terrible phase of hair fall at some point in time – agree or not? While the hair experts say that hair fall is a normal cycle of growth & replacement, and that you should not stress about it- we cannot just sit calm and see clumps of hair falling. With the advancement of science & technology, hair treatment solutions have come a long way to prove their efficacy. And one such modernized treatment is FUE- Follicular Unit Extraction. FUE hair transplant is the most sought-after procedure to restore hair that uses a less invasive technique. However, despite its popularity and effectiveness, there is a common mistrust towards these treatments. And sadly enough, it is often looked upon as a less effective and short-lasting procedure.
To clear this common misconception, you would first need to understand the stages of hair growth. In addition to this, you would also have to understand the procedure of FUE hair transplant. Once you know both, you will be in a better position to understand why FUE is a permanent solution for hair restoration.
The stages of hair growth:
Our hair cycle consists of three phases, viz. Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen. Each phase has its timeline, which is affected by age, nutrition, genetic factor, and overall health.
Anagen (Growing Phase)
This is the growth phase where the hair grows about half an inch per month. This phase usually lasts between 3 to 5 years, and sometimes up to 8 years.
In this phase, your hair follicles push out hair that will continue to grow until they are cut or fall out.
Catagen (Transition Phase)
This phase starts when the anagen phase ends. At this stage, the hair follicles shrink and slowdowns the hair growth. Eventually, it starts to separate from the bottom of the hair follicle but remains in place during its final days of growing.
The catagen stage lasts about 1 to 2 weeks or so.
Telogen (Resting Phase)
At this stage, hair is shed at the end of this period. If the follicle is well nourished and healthy, a new shaft begins to grow, and the cycle starts again from the anagen phase.
The telogen phase usually lasts around 3 to 5 months.
Understanding the Follicular unit Extraction hair transplant:
During ‘Follicular Unit Extraction,’ healthy hair follicles are mostly taken from the backside or side of the scalp. From there, the follicles are moved to the targeted area, which is mostly in front of the head. Small incisions are made on the skin of the affected area; then the incision is filled with functioning hair follicles.
The newly transplanted hair in its new place follows the same cycle of hair growth. This means it goes through the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases. Unlike the hair situated on top of the head, the hair on the back is genetically coded not to fall off. In technical terms, the hair from the back enters much later into the catagen and telogen phase- thereby increasing longevity.
Owing to the advancements and meticulous technique, FUE hair transplant is therefore considered as the most trusted method that lasts forever.
