Posts Tagged: Plug Removal

In Hair Transplant Repair, Can Follicular Unit Extraction Be Used To Remove Hair Plugs?

September 11th, 2009

Q: I was wondering if it was possible to use Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) on the old plugs instead of graft excision.

A: Graft excision generally works better than FUE in removing old plugs and mini-grafts. In these grafts, the hair is not aligned due to the scar tissue that forms from the large recipient sites. Because the hair direction is altered from the scar tissue, there is much more damage when the grafts are removed with FUE.

Another benefit of graft excision is that we can remove the underlying scar tissue and improve the appearance of the skin.

Finally, graft excision sites are sutured closed so they heal with an imperceptible scar. FUE sites are left open and the white scars at the hairline can be visible.

Topic: Repairs

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 12:31 pm

Can Dermabrasion Repair Old “Pluggy” Hair Transplant Scars?

June 9th, 2007

Q: Can dermabrasion help eliminate the circular edges of raised plug grafts caused by old hair transplants? Is this similar to the suturing and excision look?

A: Although dermabrasion can flatten elevated edges, it will not eliminate the round, white circular scars that results from old punch graft hair transplants.

The scarring in these procedures goes all the way through the dermis to the fat. Dermabrasion can only go down to the upper part of the dermis without causing further scarring.

Graft excision with suturing removes the plug as well as the underlying scar and will eliminate the tell-tale circular marks of the older hair restoration procedures.

Topic: Repairs

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 9:25 am

What is Hair Transplant Cost for Hair Plug Removal?

August 30th, 2006

Q: I was looking at your prices for repair work and you mentioned that you charge $75 per graft removed. I had a hair transplant and received follicular unit grafts (one-hair follicles) but I think my hair loss is going to continue so I might in the future want to remove them. Am I interpreting your fees correctly, or does this price apply to people who have had the plug like transplants?

A: The fee applies to the removal of plugs and includes graft (plug) excision, suturing of the site, dissection of the plug into individual follicular units and re-implantation.

Generally the best way to reverse a procedure of follicular unit transplantation is with laser hair removal. This is particularly true if the hair restoration was done properly and the underlying skin is normal. Alexandrite and diode lasers are the best for hair removal. Typically, there are too many small grafts in FUT procedures to make excision practical.

Removal via Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) will leave scars in a cosmetically important area. As an aside, if you received all “one-hair follicles”, your procedure was NOT follicular unit hair transplantation and may explain why you are unhappy and want to reverse it.

Visit the page on hair transplant costs and consultation fees for more information.

Topic: Repairs

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 5:39 am





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