A hair transplant is done to add hair to a part of your head that may be bald or where your hair may be receding. Candidates for hair transplants can want the treatment because they are self-conscious about their baldness and look better overall.
In an FUE process, hair follicles are extracted individually and then transplanted to different locations on the scalp; in a FUT operation, the scalp is removed in a long strip, the follicles are separated, and the grafts are replanted.
What Are FUE And FUT Hair Transplant Techniques?
Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT), also known as the strip method, and Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) are two primary techniques used in hair transplant procedures.
Both approaches have demonstrated high success rates in hair restoration. In FUT, the surgeon extracts a strip of donor skin from the scalp, while in FUE, individual follicular units are directly excised from the scalp.
These procedures offer productive solutions for individuals seeking to restore their hair and address issues of hair loss.
FUE
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a hair transplant technique that has gained popularity over the traditional Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) method. In FUE, individual follicular units are harvested from the scalp, unlike in FUT where a strip of tissue is removed.
During an FUE procedure, the scalp is shaved, and follicular unit grafts are excised individually. A motorized surgical tool is used to create microscopic circular incisions on the scalp, typically with a 0.8mm to 1mm punch.
It allows the surgeon to harvest hair from the donor area without creating a linear scar, unlike a FUT that can leave a noticeable scar at the donor site.
The extraction of follicular units through FUE leaves a series of tiny dot scars on the scalp, which are less conspicuous compared to the linear scar from FUT. These dot scars tend to be less noticeable, especially when hair grows back and covers the area.
If multiple sessions are required, the donor area may gradually thin out due to the extraction of follicular units.
However, it is essential to ensure an adequate donor supply for a long-term plan, taking into consideration the available hair in the donor area.
FUT
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), also known as strip surgery, is a hair transplant procedure that involves the following steps:
- A strip of hair-bearing skin is surgically removed from the donor area, typically the back or sides of the scalp.
- The amount of donor’s hair available is influenced by the looseness or laxity of the scalp skin.
- The hair density per square centimeter in the donor scalp determines the potential donor hair yield.
- The strip of hair-bearing skin is carefully dissected under high-powered microscopes to create tiny grafts of individual follicular units, which can consist of one to four hairs each.
- The dissected grafts are placed in a chilled tissue storage solution to maintain viability and quality.
- The donor area is stitched up using sutures, and the surrounding hair covers the stitches.
- Between 10 and 14 days after the procedure, the physician removes stitches.
.
Comparison Table (Procedure, Scarring, Cost, Recovery, Results, Etc.)
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) are two popular techniques for hair transplantation.
In terms of procedure, FUE involves the extraction of individual hair follicles from the donor area using a punch tool, while FUT requires the removal of a strip of scalp from the donor zone, from which the hair follicles are extracted.
FUE results in tiny, dot-like scars scattered across the donor area, whereas FUT leaves a linear scar that can be concealed with longer hair. In terms of cost, FUE is generally more expensive due to the time-consuming nature of the procedure.
Recovery is typically faster with FUE as it requires minimal healing time and causes less discomfort. FUT, on the other hand, may require a prolonged recovery period due to the surgical incision.
Both techniques can produce natural-looking results, but FUE is often preferred for patients with smaller areas to be transplanted, while FUT may be more suitable for individuals with larger areas of hair loss.
| Features | FUT | FUE |
|---|---|---|
| Shaving /Trimming of head | not needed | needed |
| Cost | cheaper | expensive |
| Large areas | possible | difficult |
| Stitches required | Yes | No |
| Visible scarring with short hair at back | May be present | Tiny dot like scars |
| Pain after the procedure | Minor | None |
| Time required for the procedure | Short | Longer |
| Healing time: donor area | 2-3 weeks | Approximately 1 week |
| Healing time: recipient area | Around 2 weeks | 10–14 days |
| Amount of time after which patient may return to work | Next day | Usually the next day, BUT SOME DISCMFORT FOR2 WEEKS |
| Natural results | Yes | Yes |
| Transection rate (grafts damaged during extraction) | Varies 1–2% | 2-5% |
Pros And Cons
FUE offers the advantage of minimal scarring, and quicker recovery, and is suitable for smaller areas. FUT, on the other hand, provides a more cost-effective option and allows for extensive transplant sitting, but leaves a linear scar and requires a lengthy recovery period.
Here, we have discussed detailed information on the pros and cons of FUE and FUT hair transplant techniques.
FUT hair transplant pros
The consultant can discuss specific advantages and disadvantages of FUT in your case. They can provide personalized guidance and help determine the most suitable approach for your desired outcomes and preferences.
- FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) typically yields a higher growth rate of transplanted hair compared to the FUE (Follicular Unit Excision) procedure. It is because the grafts extracted in FUT are usually larger and contain more follicular units, which have a higher chance of successful transplantation and regrowth.
- FUT utilizes precise stereo-microscopic dissection techniques, which minimize the transection or damage of hair follicles during extraction policy.
It ensures a higher percentage of viable grafts for transplantation and improves the overall success rate of the procedure.
- The entire donor area needs to be shaved for extraction, FUT does not require complete shaving of the head.
Only a narrow strip of the donor’s hair is trimmed, allowing patients to maintain their endure hairstyle and conceal the procedure more easily during the healing phase.
- FUT is generally less expensive than FUE. The FUT procedure requires less time and resources for extraction, making it a cost-effective option for individuals seeking hair transplantation.
FUT hair transplant Cons
The major drawback of FUT is the linear scar that remains after the procedure. The strip of the donor’s hair that is removed leaves behind a visible scar, especially if the hair is cut very short or shaved.
While the mark can be concealed by longer hair, it can be a concern for individuals who prefer shorter hairstyles or those who wish to keep their hair at a shorter length.
Due to the linear scar left by FUT, it may not be possible to keep the back of the hair very short, such as with a #2 or #3 guard or a fade with a razor. The scar may be noticeable at these shorter lengths that can limit hairstyle options for some individuals.
Some patients may experience more discomfort or pain at night following FUT compared to FUE. However, pain perception is subjective and can vary from person to person.
While not everyone experiences severe postoperative pain, it is a possibility that should be taken into consideration when choosing the transplantation method.
FUE hair transplant pros
FUE hair transplant offers a minimally invasive technique that allows a quicker recovery time compared to traditional methods, ensuring less discomfort and scarring for patients.
1. No Linear Scar
One of the significant advantages of FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is that it does not leave a linear scar on the donor area of the scalp. Instead, individual follicular units are extracted using tiny punches, leaving small, circular scars that are barely noticeable.
2. Minimal Post-operative Pain
Compared to FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), FUE generally involves less post-operative pain. Since FUE does not imply the removal of a strip of scalp tissue, patients typically experience minimal discomfort and a faster recovery.
3. Short Hair Wearability
With FUE, hair can be worn short without the risk of a visible linear scar. It is particularly advantageous for individuals who prefer shorter hairstyles or have a professional requirement to maintain a neat appearance.
4. Faster Donor Area Healing
In most cases, the healing time in the donor area is shorter with FUE compared to FUT. Since FUE involves individual follicular unit extraction, the healing process is generally quicker, allowing patients to resume their regular activities sooner.
5. Cosmetically Acceptable Scarring
While FUE does leave multiple tiny scars, these scars are usually less noticeable compared to a single linear mark from FUT.
However, it’s worth noting that if the hair is cut short, thousands of pin-sized scars may become more visible, resulting in a moth-eaten or patchy appearance.
FUE hair transplant Cons
FUE hair transplant may result in a higher risk of graft damage compared to other methods, particularly if performed by inexperienced surgeons. In this column, we discuss some of the FUE disadvantages.
1. Slightly Lower Growth Rate
FUE may have a slightly lower growth rate compared to FUT due to higher transverse cut rates. Transection refers to the accidental damage or cutting of hair follicles during extraction policy.
FUE’s extraction technique may result in a higher risk of transection, potentially reducing the overall hair growth yield.
2. Lower Total Lifetime Yield
While FUE can yield satisfactory results, it generally has a lower total lifetime yield compared to FUT. FUT allows for the extraction of a substantial number of grafts in a single session, which can result in a higher overall hair density and better coverage.
3. Shaving Requirement
For a standard FUE procedure, it is necessary to shave the back and sides of the head to facilitate the extraction of individual follicular units.
It can be a concern for individuals who prefer to keep their hair long or those who do not wish to reveal the transplant surgery.
However, some clinics offer Long Hair FUE as an alternative, which allows for the extraction without shaving, but it may involve additional costs.
4. Higher Fees
FUE hair transplant procedures typically have higher fees compared to FUT. The meticulous nature of the individual extraction process, along with the advanced skills and time required, often leads to higher costs for FUE surgeries.
Patient Profiles For FUT And FUE Hair Transplantation
An ideal candidate for FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) or FUE hair transplantation hair should meet certain criteria. Based on a few factors, your physician will decide which method would give you the best result. The following criteria are common for all the patients who are planning to undergo hair transplant surgery.
Age
The ideal age for an FUE hair transplant is typically considered to be a minimum of 25 years old, as this allows for the natural progression of hair loss patterns (stabilized pattern) to become more evident.
Healthy Donor Supply
The patient should have a good and healthy donor supply, especially in the back and sides of the scalp. These areas provide hair roots that can be excised and transplanted to fulfill cosmetic goals.
FUT and FUE techniques, being widely-accepted and result-oriented techniques, requires a stable state of the donor area before the surgery.
Absence of Autoimmune Disorders
The patient’s scalp must be free from autoimmune disorders, such as Alopecia areata or spot baldness. These conditions make it difficult to perform a FUT hair transplant as the entire scalp is affected by the disease, making it challenging to harvest a healthy strip of hair.
Scalp Flexibility
The flexibility of the scalp is essential for easy insertion of grafts during the hair transplant procedure. Scalp laxity plays a crucial role, and an exceptionally tight scalp can hinder the success of the surgery.
No DUPA Suspicions
The patient should not be suspected of having Diffuse Un-Patterned Hair Loss (DUPA). DUPA mainly affects the back and sides of the scalp, including the safe donor area. If a patient is diagnosed with DUPA, the possibility of using the FUT hair transplant technique is avoided.
You can give quickly watch these two patient profile videos of the FUT and FUE procedures.
