Non-shaven FUE/Long Hair FUE

Freia is proud to introduce Long Hair FUE to Singapore!

A refined, no-shave hair transplant solution performed with ultra precision, delivering natural, seamless results with minimal downtime. The ideal choice for those seeking fuller hair through advanced techniques without compromising their personal style.

What is it? How does it work? 

Dr Harold's Long Hair Follicular Unit Extraction (Long Hair FUE) is a next generation hair transplant technique where the hair on the head does not need to be shaved before the procedure, allowing for extraction of long hair follicles. This method is particularly beneficial for individuals who prefer to maintain their current hairstyle and avoid the postoperative appearance associated with traditional FUE. 

Who is it for?

This innovative hair restoration solution is ideal for individuals seeking effective results without the stigma of a shaved head. It caters especially to professionals and those in public-facing roles who require minimal disruption to their appearance. Suitable for both men and women experiencing mild to moderate hair loss, it also appeals to patients who prefer to maintain longer hairstyles throughout the process, offering a discreet and seamless approach to regaining fuller hair.

Treatment Duration

Due to the meticulous nature of the process, it takes longer time than traditional FUE.

Pain Assessment & Downtime

The procedure involves minimal pain, as local anesthesia is gently administered to ensure patient comfort throughout. Downtime is low, with most individuals able to resume non-strenuous daily and social activities within one to two days. However, it is recommended to avoid intense physical exercise for at least seven days to support optimal healing.

What To Expect

The process begins with a personalized consultation and customized hairline design tailored to each individual. Unlike traditional methods, there is no need to shave the donor or recipient areas. Grafts are carefully extracted and placed using precision tools to ensure natural-looking results. Post-procedure care includes the use of specially formulated shampoo, sprays, and serums to support healing and hair growth. Patients can expect initial scabbing and temporary shedding of the transplanted hair, followed by gradual regrowth over time.

Step 1: 

Injecting local anaesthetic – a mild anaesthetic is gently injected into the harvest area. Within moments, the entire donor area is numb and the extraction is completely painless. As part of our regular internal audit and patient feedback, 9 out of 10 patients report little to no pain, and not requiring any pain killers post op. 

Step 2:

Follicular Extraction – Dr. Harold’s Long Hair Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique ensures a high yield of above 95%. Unlike the tradtional shaven FUE technique,  the random micro wounds are well hidden amongst existing hair, so there is no visible or obvious wound. We are using the finest instruments (less than 1mm in diameter) to minimize any scarring to the harvest area. Unless hair is shaved very short, even experts struggle sometimes to see where hair was harvested from.

Step 3: 

Follicle Inspection – all hair grafts are carefully checked under high-powered magnification. The hair grafts contain between 1 to 4, sometimes 5 hair follicles. The grafts are grouped according to the number of hair follicles for planting in specific areas according to Dr. Harold Ma’s preference. They are stored in special solutions at precisely regulated temperatures for better graft survival.

Step 4:

Lunch and toilet break

Step 5:

Site Making – Dr Harold Ma personally decides where the hair grafts will be planted. The angle, direction and distribution of grafts are critical to get the most natural appearance, the best possible density and the highest chance of graft survival. In good hair design, hair grafts with one hair follicle are good for creating a soft natural front hair line in the first few rows as well as filling in the crown swirl area. The 2’s and 3’s are best used further back in the main body of hair to create a natural and dense full volume.

Step 6:

Dr. Harold Ma “No Touch Implanting” – The harvested hair grafts are implanted skilfully (using our “no-touch” technique) into the recipient site. The “no-touch” technique is different because the hair bulbs, which is the critical factory of the hair shaft, is protected from trauma and stress typical of older methods of implantation.

Step 7:

Cleaning and bandaging of scalp to protect grafts for 24 hours, 

Step 8:

1st post-op day: removal of bandage, grafts inspection and hair wash, followed by wound recovery laser treatment

We firmly believe that the FUE technique is better for the following reasons:

• Safe, comfortable and pleasant; using our protocols, our patients report little to no pain be it during or even in the recovery period.
• Very low transection rates with our technique and know-how (less than 5%, usually close to 0% graft transection/partial transection or damage)
• High yield: most grafts bear multiple hairs, so you get more hairs per graft
• We can perform up to 2000 long hair grafts per session on any given day
• The traditional appearance of a shaved donor area is avoided, meaning much reduced down time
• Faster recovery times
• We harvest a precise number of hair grafts, so no grafts are wasted
• Smaller sessions can be planned with minimal downtime using our no-shave FUE technique
• We use the no-touch technique to implant our grafts, leading to a much faster growth and robust results
• Dr. Harold Ma’s Long hair FUE is possible for eyebrow transplants

At Freia, as one of the hair-restoration-focused hair transplant clinics in Singapore, patients pay only for the number of grafts transplanted. Ultimately, it’s what goes into your head that counts. We want you to get the maximum value out of your surgical procedure. Not only that, our grafts are mostly in the multiples: meaning that most grafts will contain doubles and triples, and only minimally singles (between 10 to 20%). So the patient gets much more hair in reality.

Dr. Ma always plans ahead for your hair loss needs. He will guide you on the actual number of grafts to use for the best effect, and not waste precious grafts in case they are needed a few years down the road as the hair loss progresses in other areas.

Why is Long Hair FUE more challenging?

It is important to highlight that Long Hair FUE is typically more difficult than shorter hair FUE for the following reasons:

1. Increased Hair Length:  Managing long hair requires careful parting and thinning to access the follicles without damaging surrounding strands. Longer hair typically obstructs the doctor's view and makes follicle extraction more challenging. 
2. Tension and Grease: Longer hair can create additional tension during the extraction process, making it harder to isolate follicles cleanly. Also, longer hair can trap oils and debris, which can sometimes complicate follicle identification and handling.
3. Greater Distraction: Long hair can sometimes obscure the working area, increase the risk of follicle trauma, or lead to accidental cutting or damage during extraction.
4. Complexity of Precision: Extracting follicles without transecting (cutting) them requires meticulous technique. Longer hair increases the difficulty in maintaining the angle and appropriate depth, demanding higher skill from the surgeon.
5. Time-Consuming Process: The process tends to take longer, as more care is needed to handle long hair, reducing efficiency and increasing the overall duration of the procedure.

In short, Long Hair FUE does require heightened precision, careful management and experienced and skilled hands to ensure follicle integrity. At Freia, our team of full time experienced hair technicians, together with Dr Ma, are able to overcome these challenges well to achieve the most optimal outcomes. 

The Freia Promise

At Freia, you can be assured of the highest standards in hair transplant technology and skills. Here are some reasons why you have peace of mind when you choose your hair transplant procedure with us:

Since 2006, Dr. Ma has had years of experience in treating hair-loss, and he has honed his hair transplantation skills through extensive travels across the globe, from the US to Europe and even our neighbours in Asia. A firm understanding of Asian hair type has helped him and his team combine the best of both worlds: the latest in international hair restoration standards and hairline design and the most appropriate techniques suited to Asian hair types. Come and see our large portfolio of actual before and after photos in clinic.

1. Dr. Ma wants to create a natural result and this is based on a thorough understanding of hair design along with more than 15 years of experience in the hair transplant field.
2. When you choose Dr. Harold Ma, you get Dr. Harold Ma. His practice is not affiliated with a larger chain, a franchise or comprised of part-time hair technicians. The entire procedure is performed with Dr. Harold Ma as the team leader. This is different from other establishments which leave critical steps in the hands of a hair technician.
3. High volume of hair transplant cases; this is the main procedure Dr. Ma performs on any given weekday
4. All his staff are personally hand-picked and trained by him to the highest standards. Most staff have at least 3 years experience in the hair transplant field. Between them, they have performed more than 1 million follicles hair transplantation over 15 years.
5. Our protocols are in accordance with (and often surpass) the highest international standards, are aligned and up-to-date with the International Society of Hair Restoration Society, FUE Europe and the Asian Association of Hair Restoration Society. In addition, at Freia all grafts must be inspected under high magnification microscopy, then stored in special solutions and controlled temperature for the highest quality grafts with the best chances of survival
6. Our equipment are carefully selected through rigorous evaluation and testing before they are incorporated into our practice, ensuring you get only the safest, most effective results
7. We are so passionate about minimising graft wastage/transection. We consider hair grafts a limited and finite precious resource. Not even one graft should be wasted on any given day. That has become our obsession. Because of that, we achieve, consistently on a day to day basis a high yield of above 95% for FUE
8. We get more hairs per grafts, because we painstakingly select only multiple grafts for transplantation. You always get more for what you pay.
9. 24-hour hotline for pre and post-procedure support
10. Complete privacy as we are discreetly located away from busy shopping malls and feature spacious, fully self-contained facilities, nearby toilets; a feature many patients are grateful for.