FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is the contemporary surgical standard for androgenetic alopecia, replacing the older FUT strip technique for all but the largest extraction cases. DermaVue Kochi uses the DHI/Choi-pen variant (Korean technology invented at Kyungpook National University 1992), in which graft channels and implantation occur in a single tool-pass, minimising ischemia time, which is graft survival's biggest threat.
Graft survival data: modern FUE in reputable centres achieves 90-95% survival; DHI with Choi implanter reaches 92-96%, with elite published series reaching 95-98%. The differential matters: a 3,000-graft FUE at 95% survival yields 2,850 viable follicles versus 2,250 at 75%, the difference between a natural-looking restoration and a visibly thin patch.
Norwood-to-graft mapping (Hamilton-Norwood Scale): Norwood II needs 700-1,000 grafts, Norwood III 1,400-1,900, Norwood IV 1,900-2,500, Norwood V 2,500-3,200, Norwood VI 3,200-4,000, Norwood VII 4,000-5,000 grafts. DermaVue's density target is 40-55 grafts/cm² in the recipient zone, enough for natural visual density at the hairline, conservative enough at the crown to avoid donor over-harvesting. Safe extraction limit is ~25% of the donor zone in a single session for most patients; patients needing >3,500 grafts undergo two sessions 8-12 months apart.
