A follicle unit extraction device comprises a generally tubular body having a distal cutting end region, and an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the punch to apply rapid, incremental, distally-directed cutting force pulses via the punch to the tissue at a donor site to thereby offer a more precisely controllable methodology for penetrating the tissue while the punch is positioned at the donor site.A generally tubular follicle punch having a distal cutting end region is brought into contact with the skin at the donor site. The punch is inserted distally into the skin in such a way that the follicle enters the punch's interior as the skin and underlying tissue circumscribing the follicle are cut, and ultrasonic, incremental, distally-directed cutting force pulses are applied to the tissue via the punch during the cutting process.
