What Is A Follicular Unit?

We all know what hair follicles are. But many people don’t realize that hair in your scalp grows in groupings. These groupings, called follicular units, typically contain one to four hair follicles. In hair restoration, single-hair follicular units are transplanted in irregular patterns along the hairline, like the original hairline. Multiple-hair follicular units are used in the interior to provide density and fullness. In this way, the transplanted hair grows back naturally and permanently.

Follicular unit extraction, or FUE, is an alternative procedure for those who do not wish to undergo follicular unit hair transplantation. Unlike follicular unit transplant procedures, the FUE procedure uses a small punch to individually remove each follicular unit. FUE treatment can create one, two, three, or four hair follicular unit grafts that can then be transplanted into the balding area on a patient’s scalp or face. If you are interested in learning more about follicular unit extraction.