Follicular unit extraction (FUE), also known as follicular transfer (FT), is one of two primary methods of obtaining hair follicles, naturally occurring groups of one to four hairs, for hair transplantation.

The other method is called strip harvesting. Which describes the procedure which involves surgically cutting or incising a full-thickness hair follicle skin graft with a circular scalpel, punch, or motorized drill and subsequently carefully extracting it from the scalp to be placed in the donor balding scalp.

Due to the new developments in incision punches and devices and a variety of different extraction techniques, it was necessary to define the procedure. Additionally, many places were incorrectly marketing the extraction procedure as a simple plucking of hairs and deceiving the public.