Long Hair No Shave FUE

The Advantage of the Long Hair No Shave FUE

While the Long Hair No Shave FUE procedure is truly revolutionary, it is a far more complicated procedure to perform. The procedure is more labor intensive. This is not a procedure you want performed by a novice or those lacking certain instruments to complete the job as it should be done.

Risks and Considerations

Long Hair No Shave FUE isn’t right for everyone. Consider these factors:

• Long Hair No Shave FUE isn’t right for everyone. Consider these factors:
• Higher transection risk. Extracting long hair grafts requires more precision. There’s a slightly increased chance of follicle damage during extraction.
• Longer procedure time. The technique takes more time than standard FUE, which limits how many grafts can be placed in a single session.
• Higher cost. The added complexity and time translate to increased procedure fees.
• Graft dislodgement risk. Long hair grafts are slightly easier to dislodge in the first few days post-surgery. Extra care is required.
• Temporary results. The instant preview lasts only 3 to 4 weeks before shedding occurs. Final results take 9 to 12 months.

Things to avoid after a long hair no-shave FUE

• Avoid combing your hair for the first 7 days after your procedure
• Do not be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time for 3-6 months. The key is to avoid a sunburn
• Do not wear tight-fitting beanies or ball caps for 1 week.
• Avoid direct water pressure to the grafts and use lukewarm water when rinsing for 1 week.
• No heavy contact sports for 1 week.
• Avoid running your hands through your hair as you could dislodge a graft for 1 week.

New Technology for FUE

The process of hair transplant techniques has changed over time, and today, the tools used have modernized as well. This means that clients can get better before and after results with fewer side effects than ever before. 

This is thanks to tools like the PCID and modern trumpet punch.

The Modern Zero-T Punch

The tools used during the transplant process have several impacts on the efficacy of the procedure. Things like the modern Zero-T punch are pivotal in harvesting long hair grafts because they cut down, no pun intended, on transection with a combination of rotation and oscillation. 

Under normal circumstances, FUE harvests hair follicles from donor areas with a circular and hollow punch tool and a blade that quickly cuts donor hair out. When surgeons use these tools, an incision is made to remove the strip and cut through hair follicles. But sometimes, during this process, hair follicles get damaged because the hair bulb itself is cut, and in these cases, those individual follicles cannot be used for the transplant process.

Sharp punch tools are required to cut through the skin. However, dull punch tools are enough to dissect hair follicles. 

Using this information, new punch tools have been designed to reduce transection. Transection refers to that situation where hair follicles that are cut for transplant do not work properly because of damage. This can happen when a scalpel damages the hair bulb or cuts the hair follicle. It can also happen if the punching graft:

• Has too much pressure when applied
• Is blunt
• Is not the right instrument

Hair transection can be avoided when used with the right tools, like the modern the Zero-T punch the PCID tools. The Zero-T is a hybrid punch, sometimes called the trumpet tool, has a flared end that looks like the shape of a trumpet, hence its name. On one end is a sharp outer edge that cuts the skin, and on the other end is the dull inner edge, which dissects hair follicles without cutting through the hair bulb.

PCID and Zero-T Punch Technology

As mentioned, the use of trumpet designed tools reduce the number of hair follicles that are not viable. But other technology contributes to the success of the procedures, too. 

A Powered Cole Isolation Device or PCID is an instrument that runs on power and is used to extract hair follicles with FUE. The PCID is a handheld device that is used in conjunction with the Zero-T punch or any other ColeInstruments punches. 

When in motion, this tool can punch through and around the hair follicles at adjustable depths, while rotating and oscillating. The rotation and oscillation allow for precise extraction based on your hair and scalp. 

The result is significant.

You enjoy minimized hair follicle transection or injury. In fact, PCID offers some of the lowest rates of follicle transection. 

Moreover, the efficacy of the device increases the success of FUE by extracting at twice the speed of manual extraction punch tools.

• With double the rate of extraction, patients can enjoy a shorter procedure time. 
• With lower follicle transection, patients can have reduced scarring

PCID punches are also increasing in popularity because the thin walls and serrated tips of the Zero-T punch tools minimize friction against your scalp. With minimized friction, the punch process is more efficient and requires less force from the surgeon. This means less trauma to the hair grafts. 

With reduced trauma, your hair follicles remain viable, and the scarring remains minimal.

Customization

With the PCID, there are different settings, including rotation and oscillation, which means that parameters can be preset so that it’s not too high and not too low. If the preset is too high, it can damage hair follicles and skin with sharp punches, but if it’s too low, it can damage skin and destroy the hair follicle because it’s too dull.

A big reason behind the success of this function is that every patient has a different hair structure and different skin so punch settings have to correspond to that skin type. The PCID is the only device that can currently be matched to diverse characteristics for thicker or thinner hair, leathery skin, dry skin, thick skin, or thin skin.

By changing these parameters, not only is trauma to the hair follicle decreased but bleeding is decreased and recovery time is increased. Inputs are easily controlled via a touch screen and the Zero-T punch device reacts to the controls in a way that can be managed throughout the treatment process.

Overall, the angle used is also different, which means the surgical procedure itself is more effective. Rather than punching a hole straight down and hoping to avoid damaging the hair bulb in the process, this method of PCID and Zero-T punch tools makes an incision at an angle and then punches the hole from there. This angled direction is more likely to avoid damage and keeps the incision slightly smaller, which reduces trauma to the area and the depth and size of the cut itself.

Long Hair No Shave FUE Q&A