Soft FUE is one of the newest and most gentle methods of hair transplantation. With each passing day, innovations in the field of hair transplantation are expanding drastically. The main objective of these advancements is to achieve higher success rates and to make patients feel even more comfortable during procedures.
Soft FUE Hair Transplant Explained
Soft FUE is by far the most comfortable method of hair transplant in hair transplantation. The easiest way to increase the comfort of the hair transplantation process, is to reduce the pain during the procedure as much as possible, which is where anesthesia comes in. In this sense, pain is usually caused during the administration of anesthesia, which is used to numb the scalp and in turn prevents the patient from feeling any sort of pain during the transplantation process and graft extraction period.
Three types of Anesthesia
When administering anesthesia it is classified into three sub-categories, anesthesia administered by injection, anesthesia administered by pressure, and anesthesia administered after soft sedation. In the Soft FUE method, prior to the hair transplant procedure, the administration of anesthesia is given by injection, anesthesia of the recipient as well as the donor area are required, meaning there will be two injections administered.
Another method used for injecting anesthesia jet injection, this is where jet injectors works by using pressurized gas to allow the skin to absorb the medication, numbing itself, and then an anesthesia injection will be done. This method is used to reduce pain as low as possible, even for the anesthesia, which is exactly why Soft FUE method is the most pain free hair transplantation process to this day.
Next comes the soft sedation application, this is applied under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist. The doctor will prepare the protocols and adjust the dosage of anesthesia specific to that of the patients needs, it will then be administered through an IV. The procedure will begin once the patient has shown visible signs of relaxation, this process typically takes a few minutes to complete.
A More Painless Method
Soft FUE hair transplantation can be summed up in four steps, soft sedation application, harvesting grafts, recipient site creation, and finally transplantation. Hair transplantation can be done with the FUE technique, this requires creating recipient sites before transplanting the grafts, and the DHI method, where extraction and transplantation are combined into a two step process. Both FUE and DHI methods can be used with a soft sedation technique.
However, the sedation process must be under the supervision of a doctor, as this is the most critical point in the soft sedation process. The most important aspect of the transplantation is the harvesting to extract the grafts alike so the donor site will not be noticeable and maintain its natural appearance after the procedure. Creating the recipient sites entirely has to do with direction, direction implies accordance with the direction of the natural hair growth. The incisions are made with precise accuracy to ensure that they resemble the exact angle of their hair, which are made at an angle of 40 to 45 degrees with precision.
Soft FUE hair transplantation is still in its early stages of development, however, as it is a hair transplantation technique that was first brought up in 2019. There really isn’t as much information on Soft FUE hair transplantation in terms of other FUE transplantation procedures, though in simpler terms it is a new method of hair transplantation that is the most painless method compared to any other form.
Soft FUE Procedure
In order to understand the procedure of Soft FUE hair transplantation, the application of sedation, it’s important to understand the basics of hair transplantation in itself.
There are four basic steps that need to be taken for this, the first of which being preparation for the hair transplantation. During this phase the disinfection of the donor and recipient area, and most importantly, the administration of anesthesia, which is key to making the FUE a Soft FUE.
The second phase is graft harvesting, this process is performed after the anesthesia is administered to both patients, this is the separation of hair follicles from the skin which uses low-speed rotating cylindrical needles which are called micro-motor. During this process you are harvesting the hair follicles, the key to the hair transplantation being a success is to harvest the follicles with homogenous extraction, to leave a more natural look with as little scarring as possible from the donor area.
The third phase is recipient site creation, creating a recipient site is extremely important for getting a more natural and secure look. The angle and direction is pertinent when trying to achieve the most natural look, such as making sure the hair is in the same direction of the recipients natural hair growth.
Lastly, the fourth phase is the transplantation of hair follicles, also known as the graft placement. At this stage it is extremely important to make as little contact as possible with the hair follicles in order to avoid tissue damage.
Verdict
Soft FUE transplantation is guaranteed that the patient receiving sedation feels no pain during the administration of local anesthesia, they will remain conscious during the procedure, but their senses will be dulled. Unlike normal anesthesia administration, patients ARE allowed to eat or drink 24 hours prior to the procedure, patients can meet all their needs during the procedure such as eating, drinking, or using the toilet, the patient can then return home after the operation with little to no difficulties. With this, the patient can be informed during the whole procedure and cooperation can be used during.
However, just like all FUE hair transplantation, an anesthesiologist must supervise when the anesthesia is being administered during every stage of the procedure. Before the transplantation can even start the doctor must administer the anesthesia amount based on the patient’s height and body activity. Throughout the entire procedure the anesthesiologist must be present and the patient’s vitals and heartbeat will be monitored during this time. If looking for a hair transplantation that is painless, easy to communicate throughout, and safe, Soft FUE would be a good option to consider, as it is the most painless hair transplantation to this day.