FUE Hair Transplant
Follicular Unit Extraction — the gold standard for natural-looking hair restoration. Performed personally by Dr. Prashant Raktade, Maxillofacial Surgeon. Single-session, day-care, ₹35–₹50 per graft.
Quick answer
- What: Follicular Unit Extraction — individual follicles harvested with a 0.7–0.9 mm punch, then implanted at 50–70 grafts/cm² in the recipient zone.
- Cost: ₹35–₹50 per graft. A typical 3,000-graft FUE = ₹1.05–₹1.50 lakh, single session.
- Time: 6–10 hours, day-care. Local anaesthesia. Office wapas in 7–10 days. Final result at 8–12 months.
- Best for: Norwood 2–6, stable hair loss, age 25+, healthy donor area at the back/sides of the scalp.
- Why us: Every FUE step performed personally by Dr. Prashant — extraction, slit-making, implantation. No technician-led surgery.
What is FUE hair transplant?
FUE = Follicular Unit Extraction. Individual follicular units (1–4 hairs each) are extracted one at a time from a genetically DHT-resistant donor area at the back/sides of the scalp using a sub-millimetre rotary or motorised punch (0.7–0.9 mm). The grafts are stored in a chilled holding solution, then implanted at natural angles into the recipient zone to recreate density, hairline, and direction.
FUE is the gold standard for hair restoration in 2026. It replaced the older FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation, “strip”) method because it leaves no linear scar, requires no stitches, and donor-area recovery is complete in 7–10 days. Curls n Crowns performs only FUE — no FUT.
How FUE differs from FUT and DHT
| Aspect | FUE | FUT | DHT (implanter pen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donor harvest | Individual follicles via punch | Strip of scalp removed and dissected | Same as FUE |
| Linear scar | No | Yes (covered by hair) | No |
| Recovery | 7–10 days | 14–21 days | 7–10 days |
| Density achievable | 50–70 grafts/cm² | 50–60 grafts/cm² | 60–80 grafts/cm² |
| Best for | Most candidates | Very high graft counts | Higher-density goals |
For most patients in Marathwada — including Norwood 2 to Norwood 6 — FUE is the right answer. Read our full FUE vs DHT comparison →
The FUE procedure — step by step
- Hairline design. Dr. Raktade draws your custom hairline against your facial proportions. You approve before any incision.
- Donor area trim & prep. The back/sides of the scalp are trimmed to ~1 mm. Sterile prep with chlorhexidine.
- Local anaesthesia. Numbing injections (10 minutes, mild discomfort only). The rest of the day is painless.
- Donor extraction. 0.7–0.9 mm punch removes follicular units one at a time. Maximum graft survival rate (95%+) at this size. Lasts 3–5 hours depending on graft count.
- Graft sorting. Extracted grafts are kept in a chilled holding solution and sorted by 1, 2, 3, or 4-hair units for natural placement.
- Recipient site creation. Custom slits made at angles matching natural hair direction. Density of 50–70 grafts/cm² in the hairline zone.
- Implantation. Each graft placed individually with forceps. 1-hair units at the front, 2–3-hair units behind for natural-looking density.
- Post-op brief. Photos, written instructions, post-op kit. You go home the same evening.
FUE cost in Aurangabad / Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
At Curls n Crowns, FUE is priced ₹35–₹50 per graft. Pricing varies based on graft count and complexity:
| Norwood stage | Typical grafts | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Norwood 2 | 1,000–1,500 | ₹35,000 – ₹75,000 |
| Norwood 3 | 1,500–2,500 | ₹52,500 – ₹1,25,000 |
| Norwood 4 | 2,500–3,500 | ₹87,500 – ₹1,75,000 |
| Norwood 5 | 3,500–4,500 | ₹1,22,500 – ₹2,25,000 |
| Norwood 6–7 | 4,500–5,500+ | ₹1,57,500 – ₹2,75,000+ |
Inclusive of: pre-op blood-work review, hairline-design consultation, single-session surgery, local anaesthesia, post-op kit, and 1-year follow-up. Full 2026 cost guide →
FUE recovery — what to expect
| Day | Donor area | Recipient area | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1–3 | Mild swelling, bandage | Tiny crusts forming | Rest at home |
| Day 4–7 | Bandage off, gentle wash | Crust phase | Light indoor activity |
| Day 7–10 | Healed, near-invisible | Most crusts shed | Office return |
| Day 14 | Normal | Recipient area looks normal | Workouts (no swimming) |
| Month 1–3 | Normal | Shock-loss phase (transplanted hair sheds) | Full activity |
| Month 8 | — | ~80% of final density visible | — |
| Month 12 | — | Final result with full natural density | — |
Who is a good FUE candidate?
- Norwood 2–6 with stable hair loss for 12+ months
- Age 25 or above — younger patients should typically try Minoxidil + Finasteride first
- Good donor density at the back/sides of the scalp (assessed during consultation)
- Realistic expectations — FUE adds density to bald areas but won’t restore full youthful hair on Norwood 7
- No active scalp infection or uncontrolled medical condition (controlled diabetes, hypertension, or hypothyroidism are fine)
Female pattern hair loss, beard restoration, eyebrow restoration, and scar revision are all suitable too. Female hair loss treatment →
Free Norwood assessment for the first 50 patients
30-minute one-on-one with Dr. Prashant. Honest hairline planning, indicative graft estimate, no high-pressure sales.
Frequently asked questions
- Is FUE permanent?
- The transplanted follicles are taken from genetically DHT-resistant donor zones and remain permanent for life. However, native (non-transplanted) hair may continue thinning naturally with age, which is why ongoing maintenance therapy with PRP, GFC, or Minoxidil is sometimes recommended.
- Is FUE painful?
- No. FUE is performed under local anaesthesia. The numbing injection itself is the only mild discomfort, after which the 6–10 hour procedure is painless. Patients are awake throughout and can listen to music or watch Netflix.
- Will there be a visible scar?
- No linear scar. The 0.7–0.9 mm punch leaves microscopic dot-shaped marks that are virtually invisible once hair grows back to 1–2 mm length. You can wear short haircuts.
- How many grafts do I need?
- Norwood 3 typically needs 1,500–2,500 grafts. Norwood 5 needs 3,500–4,500. Use our online graft calculator or book a free Norwood assessment for a personalised estimate.
- How soon will I see results?
- Initial growth is visible at month 3–4. Density builds through months 4–8. Final result with full natural density is at 8–12 months.
- Can I shower the day after?
- No. Avoid getting the donor and recipient areas wet for 48 hours. From day 3, gentle showering with a shower spray is allowed. Full normal washing resumes after day 10.
- When can I return to work?
- Office work — day 7 to 10. Site work or physically demanding work — day 14. Heavy lifting and contact sports — month 2.
- Does FUE work for women?
- Yes. Female pattern hair loss, hairline lowering, and post-traumatic scar revision all respond well to FUE. We offer a private female-care protocol — please WhatsApp the clinic for a discreet consultation.
- What is the success rate?
- Graft survival rate at Curls n Crowns is 95%+ when proper sterile technique, correct punch size, optimal storage solution, and minimal-trauma extraction are used. The overall procedure success rate (visible final density) is 90%+ for suitable candidates.
- Are EMI options available?
- Yes — Curls n Crowns offers EMI-friendly payment plans through partner financing for procedures above ₹75,000. Discuss during consultation.
Related reading
- Hair Transplant in Aurangabad — money page
- DHT Direct Hair Transplant — implanter pen technique
- Beard transplant in Aurangabad
- Eyebrow restoration
- PRP & GFC hair therapy
- 2026 cost guide for Aurangabad / Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
- FUE vs DHT — full comparison
- About Dr. Prashant Raktade
This article was written and medically reviewed by Dr. Prashant Raktade, BDS, MDS (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery), Founder of Curls n Crowns Aesthetic Dental & Hair Transplant. Last reviewed 9 May 2026. For appointment, WhatsApp +91 96048 81999.