The decision of choosing the right method of hair transplantation is often confusing for many people. This is probably due to an excess of unauthenticated information available out there. While this may seem unnecessarily convoluted at first, once you get to know the full details your decision will become easier and clearer. This is also one of the main factors a consultant will discuss with you during a consultation to see what is right for you and your goals. So knowing the pros and cons of each will help.
FUT, also known as the ‘strip’ method stands for Follicular Unit Transplantation. The technique used in FUT is that an area of the scalp is taken from the head – usually at the back and sides – and then the individual hairs (follicular units) are removed from the strip.
The technique used in FUE, which stands for Follicular Unit Extraction, is where each individual hair is taken from the head one at a time (harvested) by using very small incisions or a punch device.
The FUE method typically covers a broader expanse of the scalp, known as the donor area, while FUT may be confined to a single strip located at the back.
In the realm of hair transplants, there exists no definitive right or wrong approach; rather, various techniques can yield comparable outcomes through distinct methods.
However, choosing which method to use can be tricky on your own.
That is why at Contura FUE transplant clinic we always give you all the details you need including the benefits of each method in order to make your decision easier.
Benefits
- The primary benefit of FUT is that it usually gives a higher amount of hair follicles to harvest and work with for the transplant. This can be particularly beneficial if the patient wants fullness and coverage of a large surface area.
- The precise transplantation technique in FUT gives the surgeon more choice from the donor area with a better chance that more preservation of the follicle and connective tissue.
- The primary benefit of FUE is that it does not leave scarring at the donor site. This also means a quicker time to heal post-surgery. Also, if the patient’s preference is to have shorter hair, particularly at the back of the head, then FUE is preferred as FUT usually requires longer hair to cover up scars in the donor area.
- During a consultation, patients are always assessed to check their scalp and looseness. Sometimes patients are not able to have FUT hair transplants if the surgeon feels the scalp will not heal as it should due to the strip surgery.
FUT and FUE combined
If you are considering a hair transplant to cure balding or thinning on the head, it is possible to have both procedures.
If a patient chooses to have FUT but during the procedure, the scalp becomes too tight, it is possible to also undergo FUE. At FUE transplant clinic, A surgeon will usually decide whether it can be performed at the same time or at another time in the future.
Sometimes with either procedure, the amount of hairs is not enough. Therefore, switching to the other is an option to maximize coverage.
Grafts
A graft is a name given to the hair that is extracted from the donor site. The quality of the graft is very important in the success of the transplant both during and after the surgery. It can be the difference between more coverage of the head and recovery post-surgery.
A graft refers to hair harvested from the donor site. In certain cases, FUT can yield superior grafts compared to FUE due to meticulous dissection of hair follicles from the donor strip, possibly preserving more connective tissue. However, the quality of grafts significantly hinges on the surgeon’s expertise in precise dissection under magnification. The quality of grafts greatly influences the transplant’s success, impacting both immediate coverage and post-surgical recovery.
When employing the FUE technique, there are inherent risks associated with extracting hair follicles, as there’s a possibility of inadvertently cutting or harming the connective tissue, particularly given the challenge of estimating the direction of the follicle beneath the skin. Furthermore, it’s crucial to ensure that each hair is extracted sufficiently deep to encompass the entire follicle and its associated tissue; otherwise, some follicles may not survive the transplantation process. This can lead to the growth of lower-quality hair that may be prone to damage or fail to grow as expected.
These days technology has advanced so much so that there are now robots in use for FUE transplant clinic. These can sometimes be more precise and of higher quality compared to manually extracting each follicle.
Another comparison to note between FUT and FUE is that hair loss is more likely to (re)occur in the future with FUE compared with FUT.
The reason behind this is that because hairs in FUT are taken in a strip from a strong area of the head (the back) that is less likely to be bald, the transplant has the potential to last longer. However, with FUE, because the hairs are taken from a larger region of the head, some may be susceptible to hair loss and be of poorer quality if not taken from a more permanent area.
FUE transplant clinic
It is worth noting, however, that because FUE wounds are more widespread, although they heal quicker than FUT, each wound heals with a mini-scar and may make future hair transplants less possible / less successful.
Comparing the two methods is sometimes complex and there are many factors to consider. What might be right for one patient may not be right for you. It also depends on how many grafts are needed based on what you want to achieve.
If you’re considering a hair transplant, why not contact us for a consultation about FUT and FUE to see which method would suit your needs best? We are able to arrange a consultation with you to discuss your needs and advise you on the best way to proceed.