Statistics indicate that 35 million men and 21 million women worldwide suffer from alopecia or hair loss. For those self-conscious about their thinning hair and baldness, hair transplantation is one of the most commonly adopted solutions. This process involves surgically removing healthy follicles from a donor area on the scalp and transplanting them onto areas with no or fewer hair.
Two common hair transplantation methods are Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Each of these techniques has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Before opting for a hair transplant, it is vital to understand the differences between these two methods.
In this article, we will review the key differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each, as well as associated costs and recovery times, so you can make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
What Is a FUT Hair Transplant?
FUT hair transplantation also termed strip method or linear harvesting, is a surgical procedure wherein a strip of skin with numerous healthy follicular units is excised from the donor area of the scalp.
The harvested strip is dissected into small grafts and transplanted to bald areas. This technique can yield dramatic results by extracting larger numbers of follicular units in a single session. The surgery dates back to 1939 and works best for those suffering from male pattern baldness.
What Is an FUE Hair Transplant?
FUE, on the other hand, involves harvesting individual follicles from the donor area. This technique is less invasive than FUT, as no strip of skin is removed from the scalp. The harvested grafts are then implanted into bald areas using tiny punches or needles.
Although this method requires more time and is costlier, the recovery time is shorter than that of FUT. The method was invented in 2003 and is a great option for people who aren’t suitable candidates for FUT.
FUT vs. FUE Hair Transplant: Key Differences:
The following are the key differences between FUT and FUE hair transplantation:
Surgery
The critical difference between FUT and FUE hair transplantation is the method used to harvest the donor follicles. FUT (follicular unit transplantation) consists of surgically removing a skin strip containing healthy hair follicles from the sides or back of the scalp.
The strip is dissected into smaller, individual follicular units that can be transplanted into the recipient area. FUE (follicular unit extraction) involves removing individual follicular units excised directly from the scalp.
Treatment duration
FUT hair transplant surgeries usually take four to 12 hours, while an FUE procedure can take up to ten hours or more, depending on the number of follicular units transplanted.
Cost
The cost of an FUE hair transplant is typically more than a FUT procedure, as hair follicles are removed and transplanted individually. The average cost for FUT is $7,000, depending on the procedure size, whereas FUE hair transplantation costs an average of $9,000, depending on the range of grafts extracted band size.
Recovery
The FUT hair transplantation technique involves an invasive procedure, so the recovery time is longer. FUE hair transplant candidates experience a less painful recovery period, with only minor swelling and tenderness.
Success Rate
The success rate for both FUT and FUE hair transplants is very high. The key factors on which the success rate of the transplantation relies include the surgeon’s experience and after-transplantation care.
Scarring
One of the main differences between FUT and FUE hair transplantation is the amount of scarring left behind. FUE leaves little to no visible scarring, while FUT causes a linear scar at the donor site.
FUT vs. FUE: Which One Should You Opt for?
If your goal is to achieve a natural-looking, long-lasting result with minimal scarring, FUE may be your best option. However, if you want to cover larger bald areas or restore the hairline, FUT may be more suitable as it provides greater grafts in a single session.
Ultimately, the choice is yours and should be based on your specific needs. To better understand which procedure is best for you, discuss your options with a qualified hair transplant surgeon at Manchester hair transplant clinics. They’ll be able to provide more information about both procedures and help determine which one will give you the desired outcome.
Key Takeaways
FUT and FUE hair transplant techniques are two of the most commonly used methods for restoring the appearance of baldness. While they share some key similarities, the two treatments have several important differences. To recap:
- FUT, or follicular unit transplantation, consists of surgically removing a strip of skin from the back or sides of the scalp and dissecting it into smaller, individual follicular units that are then transplanted into bald areas.
- On the other hand, FUE (follicular unit extraction) involves the removal of individual follicular units that are extracted directly from the scalp.
- FUT procedures typically take four to twelve hours, while FUE procedures can take up to ten or more hours.
- FUT costs around $7,000, while FUE hair transplantation costs $9,000.
- Both procedures have high success rates and differ in scarring, with FUE leaving minimal to no scarring while FUT causes a linear scar.
