Is FUE A Scarless Hair Transplant Procedure?

I have been researching hair transplants and specifically FUE from what I have heard FUE does not produce any scars, is that true?

Sadly, the myth that Follicular Unit Excision (formerly known as Follicullar Unit Extraction FUE) is a scarless procedure continues to spread among those researching hair restoration. The truth is, while FUE does not produce a linear scar like a strip surgery does, it still produces tiny circular scars in the donor site. The scars are difficult to detect, but are still visible to the trained eye.

Unfortunately, some unethical hair transplant clinics continuously market and advertise FUE as a scarless procedure. Scars form, as a result of a wound healing and FUE causes thousands of tiny circular extractions that ultimately heal and cause scars. Therefore, no patient should expect to undergo surgery without having any visible scarring.

How well a patient heals/scars depends on several physiological factors, some patients develop keloids. A keloid is an irregular fibrous tissue that is formed at the site of a scar. Keloids are rare, but can occur depending on the patients physiology. Most physicians will not perform FUE on patients with a history of developing keloids.

Sadly, many patients fall for the deceptive marketing practices of some hair transplant clinics, which leads to disappointment for the patient. This is why it is so crucial to select an ethical, skilled and experienced hair transplant surgeon. Ultimately, the aesthetic and cosmetic outcome depends on the skill and experience of the surgeon and their clinic.

There are several questions that a patient can ask a hair transplant surgeon to ensure that the physician is ethical and qualified. Prospective patients should always ask physicians to provide examples of donor scars whether they are strip scars or FUE scars. If possible prospective patients can even ask surgeons if it is possible to meet one of their patients, so they could see the donor scars in person.

Written and published by,

Melvin- Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network and The Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians