Whether it is follicular unit transplant or follicular unit extraction, one aspect that is common to both is the proper dissection of the grafts that have been harvested. In FUT, this is more important, because the method of harvesting is removing an entire strip of hair from the scalp and then dissects them into individual follicular units. During the dissection process, it is absolutely crucial that the entire follicular unit is kept intact, because even a little damage will render it useless. A properly dissected follicular unit will ensure that the hair transplant is a success and the final result will be a full head of natural looking hair.

graft dissection

Now let’s take a look at the average donor strips:

An average donor strip is about a centimetre wide and the length depends on the requirement that has been adjudged by the surgeon. The length of the donor strip is dependent completely on the number of follicular units that will be required for the procedure. The general count of follicular units available on an average person’s head is so –65-85 follicular units per cm2 of donor tissue in Indian patients. This means that if the surgeon has decided to utilise two thousand grafts, he would be required to harvest a one centimetre strip with a length of approximately 25 cm-26 cm. In most cases, doctors will make sure that the dissection is done quickly to ensure less out of body time for grafts and ensure better success.

Now, let us take a look at the steps involved in the microscopic dissection:

Step one is slivering, wherein the long donor strip is divided into small sections which are one graft wide, making them more stable and easier to handle. This is similar to slicing a loaf of bread.  Each section is normally two to two and half millimetre in width. Each section is created by cutting the strip across its width using a minute scalpel or blade. It is during this process that all the excessive fat and dermis is trimmed away.

The next step is the proper sorting of these slivers into single individual grafts and these are graded as per the number of hair they contain. Normally, each graft or follicular unit contains from one to four hairs. Each of these follicular units is stored in a physiological solution in order to ensure that the roots do not dry out. The physiological solution is created in such a manner that it impersonates the body’s blood plasma. In addition, the grafts are refrigerated (4 degree Celsius), which slows down the metabolic rate of the grafts, allowing for a longer life, even while being outside the body.

We now move onto the process of splitting follicular units:

In FUT, when stereo-microscopic dissection is done, naturally occurring follicular units are harvested. It is essential that each of the units is stored with care, because it is the storage that will eventually decide the future of that graft. If the dissection has not been done properly, the graft will be rendered useless and the follicle will have been completely destroyed.

Thus, it is imperative to say that the better the dissection, the better the number of intact follicular units, the better the yield and the better natural results!


Wwhatsapp Share This

In the previous articles, we have discussed almost every aspect of a hair transplant – we have looked into who are ideal candidates for a transplant procedure, which are the types of procedures, and which are best for whom. In this article, we will look at yet another important facet of hair transplant – donor incision.

The donor area has to be treated with just as much care and precision as the recipient area. If the donor area has not been handled properly, there will be ugly scars as well as obvious marks indicating that a procedure had been conducted. However, in the hands of a talented and experienced surgeon, no such issues should crop up.

There are several aspects that need to be kept in mind, when it comes to donor incision and these are being discussed below:

  • Position of the donor incision

There is actually a science into defining the boundaries of the permanent area of the donor zone, and more importantly, where the donor incision should be. The permanent zone is the sides and the back of the scalp. Normally, the donor incision should be in the middle of the permanent zone. The incision should be in the form a band, which starts right above the small bump that can be felt in the middle part of the donor area. The incision should extend to either side of the head, in a subtle curve, pointing upwards, while keeping in tandem with the natural shape of the scalp. The doctors do a test called gliadibility test to find out the best area that has least skin tension and the strip is taken out from that location.

Strip incision trim hair

Strip incision trim hair

 

There is a reason that hair is harvested only from this region, because anything below this zone, and it would be an invitation to permanent stretching on the suture line. This will happen because the incision would have been placed very close to the neck muscles. And if the incision goes anywhere above the zone, the transplant might not be permanent.

Strip incision complete hair

Strip incision complete hair

 

  • Size of the donor strip

The precise size of the donor strip would be dependent on the following factors

  • The number of grafts required from the strip
  • Laxity of the scalp
  • Quality of the donor area and grade of baldness.

The width of the strip is usually kept between 1-1.5cm and the length is adjusted depending on the number of grafts required. If the strip is too wide, there will be a more obvious looking scar. In order to ensure that the strip size is ideal and the scarring is minimal, the doctor needs to have immense practice and his or her judgement should be one that is supported by years of experience.

In most cases, patients will yield 65-70 follicular units per each square centimetre, in their donor area. So, in order to have approximately 2000 follicular units, the donor strip will have to be close to one centimetre in width and just about 27-28 centimetres in length.

Scalp laxity

The level of laxity is actually genetic and people with more lax scalps will be able to yield wider strips, with ease. The level of laxity is something that the surgeon will be able to gauge in the initial sittings. In such cases, there will also be lesser risks related to scarring. If the scalp is too tight, it is very difficult to remove even a normal sized strip and while suturing there is bound to be a lot of tension that can result in improper healing and  scarring later on.

  • Removing the donor strip

Tumescent Anaesthesia & Incision: This kind of anaesthesia (fluid injected into the fat layer of the skin which elevates the skin) allows the surgeon to keep the incision on a very superficial level and this in turn ensures that damage to the blood vessels and the larger nerves is avoided. Since diluted amounts are used, the total amount of anaesthesia used is also less.

  • Donor closure

The most important part of donor incision is perhaps the closure and there are several methods to the same: Generally a two layered closure is done

  • First the deeper layer of the tissue is closed by absorbable intermittent sutures
  • Then the outer layer of skin is closed by nonabsorbable continuous suturing, which is then removed after a week.

Trichophytic “tricho” closure:

This is a special technique that helps to minimise the appearance of scar. In this process, the surgeon will trim and remove the epidermal edge at the lower part of the donor wound. Then the two parts of the wound is closed. This allows the adjacent hairs to grow out through the scar thus camouflaging the scar in a much better way.


Wwhatsapp Share This

We read a lot of things on FUT & FUE on internet but when it comes to the procedure, there are a rare few who are truly aware of what happens during the procedure.This article and the next one aims at taking a minute look at the follicular unit transplantation as well as the follicular unit extraction procedures.

In FUT, an entire strip of hair is removed from the scalp’s donor area and then the dissection takes place under a microscope. The area from where the strip is taken is stitched carefully, which leaves a linear scar on the scalp. The intention of a follicular unit transplantation is to take hair from a donor area, and transplant it into the area where the balding is most pronounced. Normally, small follicular units are harvested, and each unit contains anywhere between a single to four hairs

The Procedure:

Generally, on the day of surgery, you are asked to come a few hours before the surgery is scheduled. This time will allow the staff to guide you through all that will happen and also complete the requisite paperwork including the informed consent form. This is also the last time to talk to your doctor and clear all your doubts.

Now starts the actual process:

Firstly, the doctor will demarcate the area, in accordance to the prior consultations, including drawing the exact hairline. He might also utilise the photographs taken during the first consultations. These markings will be the final ones.
Most clinics understand that the person undergoing the procedure is under a lot of stress and many a times, quite scared. This is why the entire staff aims at offering a relaxed atmosphere to the person undergoing the procedure. In addition, the safety of the person undergoing the treatment as well as the treating doctors is always kept high.

Local Anaesthesia

Generally, oral sedatives are given, and in addition to that, local anaesthesia is also administered. In many cases, like at our clinic, anaesthetic gel & high frequency vibrations are also used to reduce the discomfort or pain caused by the injections. The main intention is to ensure that the entire scalp goes numb, reducing the pain of the procedure to a minimal. There are certain cases, where additional anaesthesia is required, because the effect starts to wear off and in such cases, the doctor will ensure that more medication is administered to numb the area.

Donor Tissue

In an attempt to minimise the scar and ensure that there are maximum follicular units to use, the donor tissue is removed in one single strip. This process is known as single strip harvesting and has proven to be extremely efficient. The exact location of the donor area has to be chosen very carefully, because this has to be the area where the hair density is maximum, as only this can ensure long term stability of the transplanted hair.

Normally, the hair is clipped really short in the donor area, which allows for the best harvest and the remaining longer hair will be able to cover the area, ensuring minimal visibility of the procedure

As soon as the strip of hair is removed, it is placed in a physiological solution, which mimics the body’s natural fluids and gives time to close the wound created by the strip removal. The wound is closed either by putting into absorbable sutures or even staples.

  • The Process of Slivering: The harvested strip is now taken by the technicians who will make single layer of hair follicular units called the Slivers. This step is carried out under the microscope to ensure that there is a single row of hair follicles only within the Sliver
  • The Process of Dissection

Each sliver is then trimmed for any extra tissue and the skin that might be present in between. . The follicular units or the grafts are then separated individually which will be finally implanted in the bald area.

Creation of the Recipient Sites

The creation of the recipient site has to be done with precision, because this will decide the complete look. Fine blades or needles are used to create the site and then the angle of hair is decided. A good surgeon will ensure that the sites are created around the existing hair, so that the final look is completely natural.

Insertion of the Grafts

After the sites have been created the follicular units or grafts will be transplanted into place. This is perhaps the most precise parts of the procedure and persons undergoing the process are asked to keep their head absolutely still. In most clinics, you will be offered to listen to songs or watch television or even take a nap.

The End Steps

At the end of the procedure, each of the grafts will be checked again and you will be told about the post op schedule. You will also be given a printed copy of the same, so that you can follow all the instructions to the T. Your donor area will be covered with bandage and you will be able to wear a bandana or cap to provide further protection.


Wwhatsapp Share This

In continuation from the previous article, this one proceeds to look at other aspects of follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and how each differs from the other.

  • The survival rate of the grafts or follicular units

As is the case with any other medical procedure, being careful is something that every doctor needs to keep as his or her top priority. Maintaining a careful approach is crucial in the world of hair restoration, because one wrong step and the follicles being extracted could be completely damaged. This would defeat the entire purpose of the extraction.

When a graft is extracted, it becomes exposed to the atmosphere and this could lead quite easily to the grafts becoming dehydrating and dying. The follicles still continue with the metabolic purpose, which could lead to a certain kind of poisoning. These are just some of the reasons why follicle harvesting needs to be done with care and in the appropriate environment. When the follicular units are extracted, they need to be kept aside with care, till the time their need arises. A proper physiological solutions needs to be prepared, in which these units should be stored and kept moist.

Whether the grafts are from an FUE or FUT procedure, the method of protecting them will be quite the same. However, in FUE grafts there is an elevated level of sensitivity, because in the extraction process, there is minimal protective tissue around the follicles.

If you have chosen a good doctor and a reputed clinic, you will have little to worry about.

  • The actual number of grafts and the density of the same

The number of grafts that need to be harvested depends completely on the area of the head that needs to be covered. The precise number of grafts is something an experienced doctor will be able to judge quite easily. Normally, 1000 to 5000 follicular units are required for a transplant which can be done in one or two sessions depending on the donor area and the experience of the surgeon. If done properly, extraction should be successful in either of the procedures. The density of the follicular units should ideally be between thirty to fifty FU per each square centimeter. This again can be attained through either of the processes.

Even when done by an experienced doctor, there is always the chance that some of the grafts are damaged during the extraction process. When there are lesser grafts, there will obviously be a lower possibility of a full head of hair. This is so because there are lesser grafts to work with and there is also the chance that more than one graft might not take root.

  • The actual implanting process

When an experienced doctor is at the helm, you can be sure that the right amount of grafts are harvested, they are placed in the correctly prepared physiological solution and then implanted in the precisely designated areas. When the grafts are implanted at the right density and in tandem with the direction of the natural hair, you will have a head of hair that looks truly stunning.

While the extraction process is important, the recipient area also needs to be treated with equal care. The incisions that are made in this area have to be made carefully and a good clinic will have customized blades, which are designed in accordance to each person. With such a blade in hand, the doctor will be able to ensure that the length, depth and angle of each incision is accurate and there is minimal damage to the follicles. It is important to note that the right incisions will lead to the grafts being able to connect with the all-important nerves and blood vessels much faster. This is something that will affect the rate of survival of the follicles and ensure that the hair transplant looks natural.

  • The eventual healing

There is no doubt that like any other surgical procedure, a hair transplant too can lead to some amount of discomfort. However, whether you are undergoing FUT or FUE, you will be given local anaesthesia and in certain cases, people have complained about feeling a sense of tension on their scalp. This, however is a temporary effect of the medication and will disappear in a few days.

Although the actual healing process is much faster in FUT, the numbness that is often associated with this process is altogether missing in FUE. But the slight swelling might appear with both procedures. However, if proper instructions are followed, then that can also be eliminated.

  • Shedding of transplanted hair in post-op period is imminent

One would think that after getting hair transplant done, there is no more hair falling out, but the fact of the matter is that there will be shedding after doing either of the  procedures. However, this loss of hair is completely normal and happens with 98% people undergoing a transplant. While for some people the loss might only be in the area where the transplant took place, there might be those who lose hair in the surrounding areas too. It is important to remember that the hair will grow back over time and this time to stay!

Choosing whether the FUE or FUT process is ideal for you, is something that would best be decided post an extensive session with your doctor. If the area is small where 2000-2500 grafts are required, then you can go for FUE and if more than that is required in one session then you can go for FUT or a combination of FUT & FUE. Hence, there are pros and cons to both and a doctor will be able to suggest the right course of action.


Wwhatsapp Share This

You would have certainly heard a lot about FUE and FUT, especially if you are looking to get a hair transplant in the near future. While you will certainly find a lot of information about both, it would be prudent that you understand the intricacies of both, before deciding which one would be most suited for you.

In this two part article, we will be looking at everything you need to know about follicular unit extraction and follicular unit transplantation.

The Overview:

The purpose of any hair restoration process would be to ensure that there is a full head of hair and that it looks as natural as possible. Over the past decades a lot of improvements have been made in this field and it was understood that the smaller and more precise the grafts, the better the results would be.

The main difference between follicular unit extraction or FUE and follicular unit transplantation or FUT is the manner in which the follicular units are extracted. In FUT, an entire strip of hair is removed and then the individual hair follicles are extracted. In FUE, individual hair follicles are extracted directly from the scalp.

Each of these procedures utilises the smallest units of hair groups, which are normally known as follicular units, and each unit normally consists of single to four hairs. In addition, both these techniques concentrate more on the quality of the hair roots, as opposed to the number of hair extracted. If the roots are destroyed during the extraction process, there is little chance that the hair will eventually take up and grow well.

In FUE, the method of extraction is with punches, extracting individual follicles, and ensuring that the roots are intact. There is also lesser damage to the skin of the donor area.

The Scarring in the Donor Area

Since the extraction techniques are different it is natural that the scars left behind will also be different. In FUT, the strip method is used, which is why a linear scar, although narrow will remain visible. However, by managing the length of the hair, the scar can be easily concealed. In the FUE process, since the hair is extracted individually, there might be some spots in the donor area which are usually not noticed with naked eye.

The Utilization of the Donor Hair

There is only one disadvantage when it comes to hair extraction in FUE – there is a limit to the number of hair follicles that can be extracted. Only a small section of hair from the donor area can be harvested. This means that not all hair can be removed in one go, even though there might be sufficient hair in the donor area.

In the FUT method, however, a long strip of hair is removed, from the middle part of the donor section. Since the entire section has been removed, therefore, all the hair from that section can be utilised. The section from the strip has been removed, is normally sutured together, which is why there is linear scar. The hair that is leftover from transplant is then redistributed in the donor area, which helps cover the ‘wound’.

There is actually much lesser hair to utilise in the FUE method, as compared to the FUT technique. Many a times, in order to compensate, doctors choose to harvest hair follicles from the lower and upper margins of the donor area. However, there is always the chance that such hair might not be of the finest quality. This is why the FUE method would not be advisable for someone who needs a larger area of the scalp covered.

Healing process of the donor area

In FUT, since an entire strip of hair is removed, there is an open and obvious wound. In order to ensure that there is no infection, the wound is immediately closed and stitched up, using an appropriate kind of suture. While there will be a linear scar left, it can easily be hidden by choosing a proper haircut and length of hair.

However, in FUE, the small puncture wounds that are created to harvest the hair follicles are left open. While there are no issues due to the scars and you can easily wear hair short.


Wwhatsapp Share This

Nowadays, people have become more conscious of their looks. Both men and women want to look young and confident and  no one wants to look old at an early age, especially due to hair loss as it gives a striking blow to one’s appearance. The patient scrutinizes for the best treatment among oodles of options that may confuse him/her. Solution for excessive hair loss or baldness is readily available with the skilled surgeons that specialize in the hair transplant technique.

FUT (Follicular Unit Hair transplantation) is considered as the industry’s gold standard as it is a widely used permanent and reliable solution for baldness. In this technique hair units are removed using donor strip from the donor zone, which is then stitched by surgeon immediately after removal using closure technique making sure that  the scars are undetectable. These hair units extracted are then precisely inserted into areas of hair loss (recipient head) in such a way that no special dressing is required. In a particular session about 4,000 -8000 hair can be transplanted without consuming a lot of time.

The FUT technique is a safe and simple strip harvesting method extensively used for decades to restore hair on the bald area that gives FUT a platform of a gold standard globally. The hair become maintenance free after the transplant, you need no extra care as you can use regular shampoo and cut them as per your pleasure because these transplanted hair are your own normal hair. AK Hair Transplant clinic gleams when it comes to hair restoration treatment due to due to their vast experience in the field. The high successes have won the attention of many individuals and to trust AK Clinic for hair restoration.


Wwhatsapp Share This

In order to truly appreciate how far the domain of hair transplant has actually come, it is crucial to understand the history.

It would be hard to believe that the very first hair transplant had been done in the late 1930s! As a matter of fact, in 1939 and then in 1942, Okuda and Tamura of Japan discovered that hair used from the back side of the head, could actually be utilised to handle the loss of pubic hair. Women in Japan had to take part in certain public bathing rituals and this often led to loss of pubic hair. The very first transplant proved to be quite effective and it showed that hair harvested from any part of the body, would thrive on any other part too.

However, hair transplant the way we know it, started evolving in 1950s with the innovation brought about by Norman Orentreich, a famed dermatologist from New York. He started working on cases of androgenetic alopecia and found out that the hair harvested from the back of the head could be transplanted into areas which showed balding. More importantly, he discovered that this newly transplanted hair would not fall. He named this phenomenon ‘donor dominance’, which meant that hair that had been taken from an area that showed minimal balding would be less prone to falling out, irrespective of where they are placed.

This was the breakthrough that the hair transplant world needed and it imbibed doctors and surgeons with a new zeal. Hair transplantation surgery then went through different changes starting with the large punch grafting to minigrafts and micrografts to finally evolve into strip or Follicular unit transplantation technique in 1990s. This was a breakthrough with excellent results cosmetically as the entire follicular unit was grafted ensuring better survival.

The next major development came in 2002 when Bernstein and Rassman introduced the concept of FUE or follicular unit extraction. In India, it was introduced by only a couple of doctors which included Dr. Kapil Dua & Dr. Aman Dua in 2007. This technique avoided the scar produced in FUT at the same time providing good results. Several modifications have been made to this procedure with the development of even a Robotic system by ARTAS.

While Orentreich did lay the foundation for hair transplant, it is now up to the doctors and surgeons to ensure that they utilise the donor area with care. While there is a lot riding on the density of the donor area, there is also a lot dependent on the skill level of the doctor handling the procedure. Harvesting the precise amount of grafts, ensuring there is no damage to the follicles, and implanting them with care and accuracy are all in the hands of the doctor. It is important that the doctor transplants the grafts, keeping in mind, aspects such as direction of normal hair growth and angle of the hair. It is also crucial that the doctor maintains the donor area, because should the need arise for more grafts, there should be sufficient available.

In the hands of a good doctor, any person can have hair that looks natural and can be styled as per individual choice!


Wwhatsapp Share This

We received an email from Hari, who wanted to know more about hair transplantation techniques, since he was considering one for himself.   

Here are important parts of the information that we shared with him:

Hello Hari,

Thank you for writing to us with your query and here is the information that you were looking for.

In the simplest of terms, a hair transplant is a process in which, small section of hair, along with the follicles are carefully removed from the head and then transplanted into areas which have excessive hair loss or balding. The areas from which the hair is extracted is known as the donor area – this area can be identified only by a professional. Normally, the donor areas are the back or the side of the head. The bald area where grafts are implanted is the recipient area.

There are various techniques for hair transplantation which include,

  • FUT (Follicular unit transplantation) Strip technique : Here, a strip of skin with hair follicles is taken from the donor area, which is then dissected into individual follicular units. This strip area is sutured and this leaves a scar at the donor site upon healing.
  • FUE (Follicular unit extraction) : In FUE, the grafts are taken individually using special instruments from the donor site. This is a suture free procedure.

The extracted grafts are implanted in the same manner in both the techniques. Another new technique is DHT or direct hair transplant, a modification of FUE, in which the grafts are implanted immediately after extraction without much delay. The results are found to be excellent with this novel technique.

The actual transplant procedure involves two main steps – harvesting and transplanting. In the first process, follicular units or grafts are extracted by strip or FUE technique. These grafts can vary from two to three strands of hair or more, depending on the density and viability. The next stage is the actual transplant process, where in, the grafts are carefully transplanted into the recipient areas. This is done by making small holes or slits on the recipient bald area and then implanting the grafts into these holes.

As doctors, we are extremely careful about both processes – not only do we ensure that there is no damage caused to the donor site, we also ascertain that the transplant looks natural. For this, we place each graft in the same direction as the natural growth of the hair.


Wwhatsapp Share This

Doctor: Hair Transplant is the only successful, permanent & established treatment of baldness until the successful hair cloning is devised. At the same time, the method of implantation for even cloned grafts still may remain the same as hair transplant. Hair transplantation is a procedure in which hair from the back of the scalp is taken and transplanted in the bald area. Hair transplant has also changed its shapes from punch grafts to robotic hair transplant. But there are primarily only 2 ways in which the extraction is done the strip method(FUT) & FUE. Both techniques are very successful & followed worldwide. But it is not justified to state which is better as both have relative merits and demerits.

Fundamental difference between FUT( STRIP) and FUE technique lies in its extraction process.

    FUE FUT
1 Method Extraction of individual follicular units through small punches. No Sutures Scalpel excision of donor strip with suturing
2 Scarring Small scars are formed which are inconspicuous and get merged very well most of the times but not always especially if overdone Linear Scar that may be visible if hair is trimmed /shaved
3 Donor Source Scalp and Body Back of Scalp
4 Quantity of Hair Large session difficult (upto 2000 – 2500 graft) Larger session (upto 3000 graft possible)
5 Natural Result Yes, Permanent Yes, Permanent
6 Recovery Back to routine activity within few days Suturing used healing over 10 days
7 Cost Moderate Slightly Lower
8 Time Take Moderate Slightly Less
9 Pain Not Painless. But anesthesia is given in such a way that it feels painless to the patient Not Painless. But anesthesia is given in such a way that it feels painless to the patient
10 Preferred Hair restoration of short hair/small number of graft or for patients that have undergone several STRIP procedures and their scalp has become too tight Grade of baldness is higher and the donor area is not very good, strip technique is usually preferred

FUE Hair Transplant

In the FUE approach individual hair follicles are extracted directly from the scalp and then transplanted in bald area. The scalpel or stitches are not required,   resulting in significantly less down time, due to faster healing.

FUE Hair Transplant

Each hair follicle is extracted solely with precision thus, making it a more time consuming and labor intensive process. There is a hardly any complication and almost no scars are visible within a week.

The surgeons adopt the follicular unit that offers the most hairs per graft, and produce an optimal yield. Due to the non-invasive nature of FUE the scars produced during the transplantation process are so tiny that they can’t be detected by naked eyes. But after a week no scars visible.

A surgeon has to be proficient to perform both the techniques with perfection. A strip procedure limits the surgeon to use only the excised strip of scalp tissue, at that time the doctor is required to implement their artistry for adequate distribution to achieve optimum result.

FUE is an admirable technique for hair restoration of short hair or for patients that have undergone several STRIP procedures and their scalp has become too tight. At this moment, FUE is the latest and most refined approach to escape early stages of baldness. At the same time it is essential to understand the difference between the two methods.

FUT(Strip) Hair Transplant

In FUT (Strip) method, the grafts or hair are harvested along with skin or a thin donor strip of scalp along with hair is taken from back of head and its hair follicles subsequently being dissected into individual follicular units with the aid of special microscopes.

FUT Hair Transplant

They are then placed in the balding region, where the surgeon has already made recipient sites.

Adopting FUT (STRIP technique) for hair transplant can be more attractive to some patients as it is economical despite knowing that it may produce linear scars.

A strip is usually preferred if higher number of grafts are required as more grafts can be obtained from a smaller area and protecting rest of the donor area at the same time.

If the grade of baldness is higher and the donor area is not very good, strip technique is usually preferred.

It is usually considered that the strip technique takes less time. However in the hands of an experienced FUE surgeon, the grafts can be extracted within the same time period or even less, at times.

Cost : FUT is cheaper compared to FUE due to the ease of doing the procedure. FUE needs special instruments and the surgeon has to be extremely skilled for doing the surgery at the right pace.
The decision for determining the most appropriate extraction technique can be determined after consultation with the hair restoration surgeon as he considers various factors including quality and density of existing hair, the future natural hair loss pattern, the number of grafts required, etc.. Extraction of hair follicles is not just the only criteria to be taken into consideration for a successful hair transplant as the surgeon should possess extensive technology, ability, experience and technique to perform the hair restoration process on a bald head.

At A K Clinic we are totally dedicated to our client satisfaction as we deliver what we commit to them. Our approach has guaranteed numerous happy clients over the years.

 


Wwhatsapp Share This

We receive numerous emails and phone calls each week, asking about which is better – FUE or FUT.

Here is a concise description and comparison of both procedures:

First of all, it is important to understand what each of the procedures is – while FUE stands for Follicular Unit Extraction, FUT stands for Follicular Unit Transplantation. In FUT, the technique utilised is the strip technique; wherein, a small strip of the scalp skin is removed from the back of the head and hair follicles from the same are harvested. However, in the FUE method, individual hair follicles are extracted directly from the scalp and then transplanted.

FUE Hair Transplant

For us, as doctors, the most important aspect is not only the technique but also how many grafts we can get from a donor area; rather, we are more concerned about the quality and the quantity of each hair follicle which can be harvested. The better condition the root is in, the greater the chances of it holding steady and growing properly.

Now let’s take a look at the other aspects and their comparison, in terms of FUE and FUT:

Number of grafts and density: A strip is usually preferred if higher number of grafts are required as more grafts can be obtained from a smaller area and protecting rest of the donor area at the same time. Thus if the grade of baldness is higher and the donor area is not very good, strip technique is usually preferred.

Speed of the surgery: It is usually considered that the strip technique takes less time. However in the hands of an experienced FUE surgeon, the grafts can be extracted within the same time period or even less, at times.

Survival rate of the follicular units: Carefully done, the grafts in either method can survive well, but there is a slight problem with the FUE method. The protective tissue around each follicle is much less in FUE, leaving the graft more susceptible to drying and hence dying. However, when carefully done with proper handling of the grafts, the rate of survival can improve drastically.

Scarring: The manner in which the scars appear are different in FUT and FUE – while in the former there will be a linear scar, in the latter, there will only be dots or micro scars. So, if someone is planning to keep their hair short, FUT would not be a great choice for them.

FUT Hair Transplant

Strip Scar

Sutures : In FUT, the wound is closed with sutures and this produces the linear scar. FUE, on the other hand uses <1mm punches for extraction leaving behind small micro scars that heals on its own. It is thus a suture less surgery

Healing: Postoperative healing is slightly longer with FUT and the stitches need to be removed after a week. Many people who have undergone the same have also spoken about a pull on their scalp, but this sensation disappears over a matter of a few days. The healing period is much shorter with FUE and normal activities can be resumed after a much shorter time. Not only is this treatment faster, it also causes minimal pain.

Cost : FUT is cheaper compared to FUE due to the ease of doing the procedure. FUE needs special instruments and the surgeon has to be extremely skilled for doing the surgery at the right pace.

Thus the final decision to go for an FUE or FUT depends on the patient preference and the skill of the surgeon. The other steps of transplant procedure like making holes and implantation of grafts remains the same in both techniques and needs to be done with great care for the best final results.


Wwhatsapp Share This