Comparison of FUE and FUT Procedures

Are you confused between FUE and FUT hair transplantation? Here is a realistic comparison of FUE and FUT procedures to help you understand which method suits you the best and why. Whenever an individual wants to have a hair transplant he has to make a choice between FUT and FUE. While the surgeon and related web sites usually provide a biased opinion it is very necessary to make an unbiased and rational decision backed by facts. Here is realistic comparison of FUE and FUT procedures to help you understand which method suits you the best and why. FUE vs. FUT Hair Transplant: FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction is a modern method of donor hair extraction. In FUE the surgeon takes out each hair follicle individually from the donor area. It is performed using a small instrument and the method is called motorized punching. FUT or follicular unit transplantation is a traditional donor hair harvesting technique. In FUT the surgeon excises a linear strip of hair bearing skin from the donor area and carefully dissects it under a powerful microscope. These dissection yields hair grafts that are then planted in the bald or balding areas. Donor Area for Graft Harvesting: • FUE: Entire scalp as well as the entire body can be used for donor hair harvesting. • FUT: Only the sides or back of the scalp can be used for donor hair harvesting Shaving Donor Area: • FUE: Donor area must be shaved before graft extractionrn• FUT: Shaving is not mandatory, trimming will also work Stitches and Sutures: • FUE: A minimally invasive technique that does not involve and cuts and stitchesrn• FUT: Stitches are required to close the wound caused by strip removal Pain in Donor Area: • FUE: Almost zero pain in the donor. Slight discomfort can be managed with cold compressions. • FUT: Minimal to moderate pain due in the wound resulting from linear strip cutting. Donor Area Scarring: • FUE: Tiny pinhole scars that can be camouflaged even with a buzz cut. • FUT: A telltale linear scar at the donor area that is hard to hide. Damage to Hair Follicles: • FUE: Risk of damage to hair follicles is high and graft survival rate is low. • FUT: Risk of damage to hair follicles is low and graft survival rate is high. Scalp Elasticity: • FUE: Can be performed on both tight and loose scalpsrn• FUT: Can’t be performed if the scalp is tight Recovery Period: • FUE: Short recovery period spanning 3 to 4 days is involvedrn• FUT: Recovery period of at least one week is involved Hair Transplantation in Scars: • FUE: It can be used for hair transplantation in post-surgical scarsrn• FUT: Can’t be used to regrow hairs in the post-surgical scars Cost of Treatment: • FUE: It is an expensive procedurern• FUT: It is a cheap and pretty much affordable procedure. Which method should you choose? Both FUT and FUE hair transplant techniques are good in their respective domains. No one can make a generalized opinion to prove that one method is better than the other. Generally speaking, it can be concluded that the choice of the method should be made according to the individual needs of the patient as well as his or her preference and expectations from hair transplant. Candidates for FUE Hair Transplant: You must choose FUE if you: • Have tight scalprn• Cannot afford some days off workrn• Want a scarless scalp after the surgeryrn• Are more sensitive towards pain and discomfortrn• Do not want to have stitches • Can access an experienced board certified hair transplant surgeon • Can pay a higher amount for your hair transplant. Candidates for FUT Hair Transplant: Similarly, you should go for FUT if you: • Have large areas of baldness to be coveredrn• Want to pay less for your hair transplant • Do not want shaving in donor arearn• Want to ensure high quality of hair grafts Results of Surgery: The results of the surgery are same for both the methods and the success of hair transplant does not depend upon FUE or FUT. Hair transplant is much more than FUE and FUT as the use of the methods is limited to the extraction phase only. Second phase of hair transplant, the Plantation Phase, which plays a major role in determining the post-op look of the recipient area, is the same for the methods. In fact, it is the surgeon who makes a hair transplant surgery a success. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right hair restoration surgeon for your treatment. Experienced surgeons pay special attention to both the phases so as to ensure the patient gets the best results possible. Choosing The Right Hair Transplant Method Is Crucial: The choice of the method is an important decision and you must make it with due care. Let your surgeon know your preferences and ask him which method he suggests for you. Take time, consider your surgeon’s advice and make a final decision after comparing the pros and cons of both the methods. Right decision is the first step that you take towards a successful hair transplant surgery.