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Hair Sciences Center of Colorado - Glossary
Glossary of Related Terms
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) - FUE is a method of obtaining follicular units from the donor area using a very small (one millimeter) punch (a surgical instrument used to obtain small samples of tissue). Surgeons performing this new technique select the follicular unit to be removed, the punch is then placed over the follicular unit and a small circular incision is made approximately half way down the unit's hair shafts. Next, the unit is grasped and extracted from the surrounding skin.
- Follicular Unit Grafts (FUGs) - naturally occurring aggregates of 1-5 hair follicles, closely spaced, and distributed randomly over the surface of the scalp.
- Harris SAFE SystemSM - a new, proprietary methodology that improves on the existing methodology for FUE. This new, proprietary methodology is minimally invasive and is available for virtually 100% of candidates, including those who are FOX negative.
- Harris SAFE Scribe™ - The device created by Dr. Harris and used in this new method of surgery. The scribe allow the physician or trained technician to isolate, excise and remove single follicular units without the traditional donor strip harvesting now associated with Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation (FUHT). The small, self-contained scalpel created by Dr. Harris uses a twin-cylinder design for precise follicular extraction avoiding follicular trauma and loss.
- Minimally invasive - This term describes the type of procedure used during FUE. Specially designed instruments are used during FUE that result in a more rapid recovery, including less pain and scarring, and a quick return to normal activities.
- Scalp laxity - Describes the tightness of an individual's scalp. Because the Harris SAFE System does not use a donor strip at the back of the head, it does not require a patient's scalp to have a certain laxity. In Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation (FUHT), scalp laxity is important because the area of the donor strip must be sewn together.
- Transection / Follicular damage - the tendency for some hair follicles to shear when removed from the head for transplantation, thus reducing the number of follicles the surgeon believes will grow again. The rate of transection during standard FUE may be between 20 - 30%. The rate of transection for the Harris SAFE System is less than or equal to that seen with microscopic dissection, typically less than 5%.
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