Sapphire FUE technique is a technique where the incisions are made with special Sapphire blades. In this technique, Sapphire blades are utilised which are finer and smoother. Therefore the incisions are smaller and the healing process is quicker with a higher success rate. As a result of smaller incisions, it is possible to perform a higher density hair transplant. It is a permanent technique and eliminates the alopecia if sufficient amount of grafts are implanted.
Sapphire FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)
In Sapphire FUE hair transplant, all the grafts are harvested one by one and implanted into the recipient area. In this technique, the grafts can be harvested with either manual punch or a micromotor.
Once the grafts are extracted from the donor area, they are kept in a special solution that keeps the grafts alive outside of the body for up to 6-8 hours.
Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant Procedure
The most important phase of hair transplant is the opening of canals because the incisions are made with a certain angle to give the hair a natural direction. In Sapphire FUE technique, the incisions are made in a V shape. These incisions are smaller and thinner compared to the metal blades, therefore it accelerates the healing phase, and minimises the physical trauma done in skin.
How is Sapphire FUE hair transplant procedure performed?
In a Sapphire FUE hair transplant, the condition and hair status of the patient is examined in the first place. If the patient is a good candidate, Dermatologist Dr. Oyku Celen designs the hairline and specifies the recipient area.
Local anaesthetics is applied into the donor area. If requested, needle-free technique can be used as well. Once the anaesthesia is applied, medical team starts to harvest the healthy hair grafts from the donor area.

The amount of grafts that is already determined is harvested from the donor area. Depending on the preference, this can be performed with manual punches or micromotors. If the patient does not have sufficient amount of grafts in the back of his/her head, other options of donors can be used such as chest or beard.
The next step is to make incisions in which the harvested grafts are placed. Incisions made with Sapphire blades are much smoother and smaller. This provides less bleeding. Thanks to its antibacterial characteristics, it also decreases the possibility of infection and allergy. As the incisions are narrow, they close and hold the graft quicker than traditional incisions made with metal slits.
Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant Comparison
Sapphire FUE hair transplantation technique is one of the most comfortable methods today. Thanks to the sapphire-tipped blades, the healing process is fast. With Sapphire FUE hair transplantation technique, maximum number of grafts can reach 7000. Very successful results are obtained with Sapphire FUE hair transplantation technique, which is suitable for almost every Norwood scale. You can examine the comparison of the Sapphire FUE hair transplant method with other hair transplant methods below.
Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant vs FUE Hair Transplant
In the comparison table below, Sapphire FUE hair transplantation and FUE hair transplantation techniques are compared. The factors affecting the patient's choice of hair transplantation method were taken into consideration.
Subjects | FUE | Sapphire FUE |
---|---|---|
Cost | Affordable | Affordable |
Stitch | Not Required | Not Required |
Pain after operation | No | No |
Scar on Donor Area | No | No |
Scar on Implanted Area | Low | Unnoticeable |
Recovery time of Donor Area | 1 Week | 1 Week |
Recovery time of Implanted Area | 7 Days | 5 Days |
Bleeding | Low | Lowest |
Transplant Between Existing Hair | Yes | Yes |
Maximum grafts in one session | 7000 grafts | 7000 grafts |
Shaving/Trimming | Yes | Yes |
Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant vs DHI Hair Transplant
In the comparison table below, Sapphire FUE hair transplantation and DHI hair transplantation techniques are compared. Factors affecting the patient's choice of hair transplant method were taken into account.
Subjects | Sapphire FUE | DHI |
---|---|---|
Cost | Affordable | Expensive |
Stitch | Not Required | Not Required |
Pain after operation | No | No |
Scar on Donor Area | No | No |
Scar on Implanted Area | Unnoticeable | Unnoticeable |
Recovery time of Donor Area | 1 Week | 1 Week |
Recovery time of Implanted Area | 5 Days | 2 Days |
Bleeding | Lowest | Lowest |
Transplant Between Existing Hair | Yes | Yes (Easier) |
Maximum grafts in one session | 7000 grafts | 2500 grafts |
Shaving/Trimming | Yes | No |
Differences Between Classical FUE and Sapphire FUE Technique
The main difference between traditional FUE and Sapphire FUE is the canals (incisions).In traditional FUE, metal slits are used to open canals, whereas in Sapphire FUE, special Sapphire Blades are used.
In both techniques the harvesting can be performed with manual or micromotor. DR. CELEN recommends you the most adequate technique after your consultation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Sapphire FUE hair transplant?
- As Sapphire Blades are antibacterial, it is more beneficial especially for allergic patients.
- As the incisions are shallower, less fluid is injected into the scalp. This would provide less swelling after the procedure.
- The incisions are made in the shape of V. This provides a better ability to give direction to the hair and more natural results.
- It is easier to make incisions in between long hair as the blades are very narrow and fine.
- As the incisions are narrow and smooth, the grafts that are placed into cannot be dislodged easily. This increases the survival rate of the grafts immensely.
- Tissue healing takes around 8 to 10 days which means it is much better than a traditional FUE.
- Since smaller channels can be opened, it helps more frequent hair transplantation.