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A Specialist in Natural-Looking Hair Restoration

At Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, hair restoration is led by Dr. Ashley Lonergan, MD, a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon who completed her residency at the University of California, Irvine and a fellowship with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Lonergan approaches hair restoration with the same conservative, detail-oriented philosophy that defines her facial plastic surgery practice. Schedule a consultation to find out whether this procedure fits your goals.

What is an FUE Hair Transplant?

FUE, or follicular unit extraction, is a hair transplant technique that removes individual hair follicles from a donor area, usually the back or sides of the scalp, and relocates them to areas with thinning or no hair. Unlike older strip harvesting methods that remove a continuous strip of scalp tissue, FUE extracts follicles one at a time using a small, precise tool, which can mean less scarring and a shorter recovery. Each follicle is placed by hand to match the natural direction and angle of surrounding hair growth.

Benefits of FUE

FUE offers several potential advantages over older hair restoration methods, including:

  • Minimal scarring compared to strip harvesting methods
  • Natural-looking density using the patient's own hair follicles
  • A quicker return to normal routines and social activities
  • Precise placement tailored to each patient's hairline and goals
  • Long-lasting results, since transplanted follicles are typically resistant to future thinning

Am I a Good Candidate for FUE?

Good candidates for FUE typically have enough healthy donor hair at the back or sides of the scalp to support transplantation, along with realistic expectations about timeline and results. The technique works well for men and women experiencing pattern thinning, receding hairlines, or localized hair loss. During a consultation, Dr. Lonergan evaluates scalp health, hair loss pattern, and donor supply to determine whether FUE is the right approach.

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Why Choose Boston Center for Plastic Surgery for FUE?

Dr. Lonergan brings rigorous academic and surgical training to hair restoration at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery. She completed a five-year residency in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery at the University of California, Irvine, followed by a fellowship with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery under Dr. Edwin Williams and Dr. Keimun Slaughter. She has presented research at national meetings including AAFPRS and the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings and received a second-place scientific poster award at the AAFPRS annual meeting. Patients benefit from the same detail-oriented, conservative approach shared across the practice's board-certified surgical team.

Your Consultation

During a consultation, Dr. Lonergan reviews scalp health, hair loss history, and aesthetic goals to build a personalized treatment plan. Patients receive an honest assessment of donor hair availability and realistic expectations for density and timeline before deciding whether to move forward. Questions about technique, recovery, and cost are welcomed throughout the process.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of FUE depends on factors like the number of grafts needed, the extent of hair loss, and the goals discussed during consultation. Because every treatment plan is customized, pricing is best determined after a thorough evaluation with Dr. Lonergan. The practice offers financing options to help make hair restoration more accessible for patients who qualify.

What to Expect During FUE Treatment

Donor Area Preparation

The donor area, typically at the back or sides of the scalp, is trimmed short to allow clear access to individual follicles. Local anesthesia is then applied to keep the area comfortable throughout the procedure.

Follicle Extraction

Using a small, precise extraction tool, Dr. Lonergan removes individual follicular units one at a time from the donor area. This method helps preserve each follicle's health for successful transplantation.

Graft Placement

Extracted follicles are placed into the recipient area by hand, following the natural angle and direction of existing hair growth. This careful placement supports results that blend naturally with the patient's hairline.

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FUE Recovery

Most patients notice mild redness and swelling in the donor and recipient areas for the first few days after treatment, which typically fades quickly. Many return to work and light activity within a few days, though strenuous exercise and direct sun exposure are usually avoided for one to two weeks to support healing.

Dr. Lonergan provides aftercare instructions tailored to each patient's scalp, hair type, and lifestyle to help protect the newly placed grafts during the healing process.

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FUE Results

Transplanted follicles often shed within the first few weeks after treatment, a normal part of the process before new growth begins. Over the following months, patients generally notice gradual thickening, with results typically becoming most apparent around the one-year mark as the new hair matures and blends with existing strands.

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Complementary Hair Restoration Treatments

  • PRP for Hair: Uses growth factors from a patient's own blood to support thicker, healthier hair, often paired with transplant work to strengthen results.
  • Nutrafol: A physician-recommended nutraceutical supplement designed to support hair growth from within for patients managing early thinning.

FUE Hair Transplant FAQs

Is there an ideal age for FUE?

There's no single ideal age. The right timing depends on how much hair has been lost, how stable the pattern is, and a patient's goals, all of which Dr. Lonergan reviews during a consultation.

How should I prepare for FUE?

Patients are typically asked to avoid blood thinners, alcohol, and smoking in the days before treatment. Dr. Lonergan provides specific preparation instructions tailored to each patient's health history during consultation.

What are the risks of FUE?

As with any surgical procedure, risks can include infection, scarring, temporary numbness, or shock loss, in which some existing hair temporarily sheds near the treated area. These risks are generally low and are reviewed in detail during consultation.

How long does an FUE procedure take?

Depending on the number of grafts needed, a session can take several hours, often completed in a single visit.

How soon can I get a haircut after FUE?

Most patients can trim the hair around the treated area within a couple of weeks, though the grafts themselves should be handled gently until fully secure. Dr. Lonergan provides specific timing based on each patient's healing.

What products should I avoid after FUE?

Patients are typically advised to avoid harsh shampoos, styling products, and heat tools on the treated area until Dr. Lonergan clears them, usually within the first couple of weeks.

Can donor hair run low for future procedures?

Donor supply is limited, so Dr. Lonergan plans each session carefully to help preserve options for any additional treatment a patient may want down the road.

Restore Your Hair with Boston Center for Plastic Surgery

If thinning hair has started to affect your confidence, FUE offers a path to natural, lasting results. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Lonergan at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery to find out whether this procedure can help you achieve a fuller, more natural hairline.

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