During both types of hair transplant, hair follicles are harvested from donor sites, generally at the back of the head or the sides where dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-resistant hair resides. For male patients especially, the pattern of progressive, genetic hair loss (androgenic alopecia) tends to leave hair in a band around the head virtually unchanged, while the crown and hairline thin. The follicles in bald areas have a sensitivity to DHT, which causes them to miniaturize, producing more fragile hair and eventually no hair.

Conversely, hair growing at the back and sides of the head has a natural resistance to miniaturizing hormones, and it stays in place for the life of the follicle. Those follicles carry their resilience with them, and that phenomenon is referred to as “donor dominance”. As long as the hair transplant team harvests hair from the DHT-resistant area, the transplanted hairs will deliver over 90% success and long-term growth in their new location.

No doubt you will see some beautiful results while pouring over FUE before and after pictures. However, those photos won’t tell you the whole story behind hair restoration. You should be aware that the client’s photos are usually taken months after the surgery was completed. It takes patience to get to the final result of FUE treatment, but in the end, it will be worth it.

The NeoGraft and SmartGraft systems for FUE that Dr. Torgerson’s hair transplant team uses are considered the gold standard in hair restoration. NeoGraft is one of the leading devices approved by Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. With its advanced technology, much of the NeoGraft FUE hair transplant can be completed without the potential error or fatigue of human hands. It’s a fully automated surgical device that uses pneumatic controls that are ergonomically designed to fit the hand comfortably. It permits the follicles to be removed and immediately transplanted into the donor site, reducing the time that the hairs are exposed to air and damage. With it, grafts can be harvested with ease, so that each precious one is preserved.

Because of the NeoGraft system’s precision, micro-incisions lead to less trauma, discomfort, swelling, and bleeding. This unique feature improves safety, as it can reduce the risk of infection and complications following surgery and reduce physical harm to each graft. Patients have been known to report less post-operative discomfort, which allows them to resume their busy schedules sooner than later. The number of hairs that “take” following FUE hair transplants is significant, which also contributes to it being the number one choice in hair transplant surgery.

Because of its less invasive nature, FUE’s quicker recovery is essential for clients who are competing in a competitive job market. Today hair transplant patients can return to work with minimal downtime. Without lengthy incisions and scars, the procedure is more discreet than ever as well.

While the precise technology and accuracy of FUE hair transplant have made it the safest method of hair restoration, the primary reason it’s the preferred choice is because of the lack of notable scarring after surgery.

For patients who prefer the FUE method, it should be noted that before surgery, the donor site must be trimmed very short or shaved in most cases. Shaving that part of the scalp will allow the hair transplant team full access to the area where follicles will be extracted. The placement of excisions will be randomized and diffused to ensure that scarring doesn’t appear obvious when the scalp is healed. While generally uncommon, scarring can occur, though it is minimal.

It’s helpful to visit the barber before your session and have your hair trimmed very short so that as your hair grows back in the treatment area, it won’t stand out.

Supply and demand drive the cost of many goods and services in an urban area, but by the same token, you may find that there’s more to choose from. Clinics that are well-established in large cities and known as high-end will have pricing commensurate with their top-shelf service and reputation. The experience of the surgeon and the geographic location often affect procedure prices.

To determine the cost of FUE in Toronto, fees are usually calculated on a per-graft basis. The number of grafts required to give you the desired appearance may range between 500 and 2,500, and they’ll cost from $5 to $6 each plus HST. (Prices are subject to change over time.)

Some patients may choose to have future hair restoration procedures, depending on their needs and preferences.