FUE Hair Transplant in McLean, VA
Medically reviewed by Dr. William H. Lindsey, MD, FACS — Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon — IAHRS Member — Last reviewed: July 2026
Dr. Lindsey performs every FUE procedure personally at Lindsey Medical Hair Transplant Center in McLean, VA. Learn more about Dr. Lindsey’s credentials and experience.
FUE (follicular unit extraction) is a hair transplant technique that removes individual follicular units directly from the donor area without a linear incision, leaving no visible linear scar. Dr. William H. Lindsey, MD, FACS performs Ultra Refined FUE at his McLean, VA clinic, using precision instruments to minimize follicle transection and maximize graft survival. Patients traveling from Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland choose this technique for its natural results and flexibility in wearing hair short after surgery.
What Is FUE Hair Transplant Surgery?
The second accepted method of performing hair transplantation is through the use of Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE.
This procedure does not involve the removal of a strip of skin from the back of the head, but rather each individual follicular unit is removed individually using a patented custom made punch-like instrument. In Dr. Lindsey’s office this instrument will never exceed .9mm in diameter.
Unlike what is claimed in hype around the internet, FUE does in fact leave scars. In fact, FUE leaves far more scarring than strip procedures do. However, this scarring is so uniformly distributed around the donor area (back and sides of the head) that FUE APPEARS to leave less scar than the strip method even when the hair is closely cut.
Because FUE technique causes more trauma to the graft, the yields from FUE techniques tend to be lower than that for strip. For this reason, FUE should not be used in procedures exceeding 1,500 to 2,500 grafts in a procedure in selected patients, and probably shouldn’t even be used in cases much above 600 to 2,000 grafts per procedure at all.
Because of the difficulty level and amount of time to remove intact grafts via FUE, this procedure is on the order of three times more expensive than its strip counterpart and should only be used in select patients with minimal hair loss.
Am I a Candidate for FUE Hair Transplant?
FUE is well-suited for patients who want to wear their hair short, who have strong donor density in the back and sides of the scalp, and whose degree of hair loss is stable. Dr. Lindsey evaluates each patient individually during a free consultation, assessing donor supply, graft quality, scalp laxity, and the realistic number of grafts required to meet the patient’s goals.
Patients who have previously had strip (FUT) procedures and want to preserve the remaining donor area for future sessions are also strong candidates for FUE. Dr. Lindsey will advise whether FUE, FUT, or a combination approach is most appropriate based on your specific case. There is no cost to find out.
FUE vs. FUT: Which Procedure Is Right for You?
The primary difference between FUE and FUT (the strip method) is how donor hair is harvested. FUE removes individual follicles and leaves no linear scar. FUT removes a narrow strip of scalp, which allows for a higher graft count per session and is often preferred for patients who need larger restorations or who want to preserve FUE donor supply for future procedures.
Dr. Lindsey performs both techniques and will recommend the right approach based on your donor density, hair loss pattern, long-term goals, and preference for wearing your hair short. Many patients benefit from a combination of both procedures across two sessions. See our full FUE vs. FUT comparison guide.
FUE Recovery: What to Expect After Surgery
Most FUE patients return to desk work within 5 to 7 days. The small extraction sites heal quickly, typically within a week, and there is no linear scar to manage. Patients can expect a shedding phase between weeks 2 and 8, during which the transplanted hairs fall out before new growth begins. This is normal and expected.
New growth typically becomes visible around month 3 to 4, with density continuing to improve through month 12 to 18. Dr. Lindsey’s team provides detailed pre and post-operative care instructions and is available for follow-up questions throughout the recovery process. See full pre and post-operative instructions.
Patient Results
Before & After Gallery
Repair Case
Young Male Case
Older Male Case
FUE Hair Transplant: Frequently Asked Questions
Ultra Refined FUE uses precision-engineered instruments to extract individual follicular units with smaller punch diameters and higher graft-survival rates than standard FUE techniques. Dr. Lindsey performs every extraction personally, which reduces the follicle transection rate that can occur when extractions are delegated to technicians. The result is a higher percentage of viable grafts and a more natural density outcome.
FUE at Lindsey Medical is priced at $9 per graft. Total cost depends on the number of grafts your case requires, which is determined by Dr. Lindsey during a free consultation. Smaller sessions of 500 to 800 grafts typically cost $4,500 to $7,200. Sessions requiring 1,000 to 2,000 grafts range from $9,000 to $18,000. A personalized estimate is provided at your consultation appointment. See our full FUE pricing details.
FUE does not produce a linear scar. The technique removes individual follicles through tiny circular punch incisions that heal as small, round dots in the donor area. These marks are generally not visible at normal hair lengths. Patients who shave their head very short may see the extraction sites under close inspection, though the visibility depends on the punch size used and the patient’s skin characteristics. Dr. Lindsey discusses this in detail during your consultation.
FUE sessions at Lindsey Medical range from approximately 4 to 9 hours depending on the number of grafts. Dr. Lindsey performs one procedure per day, ensuring his full attention is focused on a single patient. Larger sessions requiring 2,000 or more grafts may be scheduled across two days. Your procedure timeline is confirmed at your pre-operative consultation.
Yes. Dr. Lindsey performs FUE for women experiencing female pattern hair loss, thinning, and alopecia. Female hair restoration requires a different approach to hairline design and donor selection than male cases, and Dr. Lindsey tailors the technique to each patient’s presentation. FUE is often preferred for women because it allows targeted extraction without a linear scar and does not require shaving the full donor area in many cases. See women’s hair restoration.
Consultations with Dr. Lindsey are free. During your appointment, Dr. Lindsey personally evaluates your scalp, donor area, and hair characteristics, and provides a graft estimate and procedure recommendation. You can schedule by calling (703) 356-3260 or by submitting the contact form on this page. His team is available Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm.
