What Is the Difference Between Fut and Fue Hair Transplants?

Although there are various hair transplant techniques that exist, the two main types of hair transplant performed today are Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and  Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). These techniques have evolved in the last few years and there are core differences between the two methods.

Here we shed some light on how the two vary from each other to help with the decision on hair transplantation surgery.

Summary

1. What Is Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)?
2. What Is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)?
3. What Are the Main Differences Between Fue and Fut Hair Transplants?
4. Success Rates of Fut and Fue Hair Transplants
5. Which Hair Transplant Is Best for Me?

What Is Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)?

A FUT hair transplant, also known as the ‘strip’ method, is the extraction of a thin strip of skin from the back of the head, to be dissected into individual follicular units under a microscope and transplanted into tiny holes in the area of balding on the scalp.  

The biomaterial is always taken from the back of the head, also known as the ‘donor area’. This strip contains hair follicles, sebaceous glands and nerves and is dissected into individual follicle units containing 1-4 hairs each to be transplanted. The hair in that area is chosen because it is DHT resistant and not prone to shedding.

Local anaesthesia is used for this procedure and in the end, the doctor closes the wound where the strip of skin with the grafts has been taken from, which leaves a long horizontal scar.

The procedure usually takes around 3-8 hours. As the procedure is more invasive, the recovery time is usually more and scarring is also more common.

What Is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), is where hair grafts are harvested individually from the donor site. The surgeon extracts individual grafts with the help of a very thin hollow that can either be operated manually or with a micromotor. In order to ensure grafts survival, they are placed in a biotin-rich solution for storage until the follicles are transplanted into the balding areas of the scalp.

The FUE method was developed to improve the shortcomings of the FUT technique. It is considered a more advanced procedure with more benefits. The FUE technique can be a longer surgery than FUT as it is more complex and requires more precision. 

Our unique NEO FUE hair serum preparation allows for your hair to be optimally primed before your treatment begins and significantly increases the growth rate and hair density from your FUE surgery with Elithair.

What Are the Main Differences Between Fue and Fut Hair Transplants?

• FUE has a shorter downtime: Due to the less invasive nature of FUE, it takes less time for patients to recover and get back to their day-to-day lives. You can resume your duties within a week with the reduced recovery time, or with smaller transplants, 3-5 days.
• FUT causes a horizontal scar: The patient will have a visible horizontal ear-to-ear scar on the back of the head after a FUT hair transplant. In the FUE method, no cuts are made, only tiny punches. These minuscule dots can be disguised with a short hairstyle while still having a high success rate for the transplanted hair.
• Less scalp numbness with FUE: Scalp numbness is a common side effect for FUT transplants, since incisions in the tissue are made., taking up to six months for the numbness to disappear. In FUE patients, the normal sensation in the affected areas of the scalp tends to return faster.
• FUE is better for smaller transplants: Severe or complete hair loss is not that common. Many patients need only a small partial transplant especially if they are younger than 35.
• Return to physical activity earlier with FUE: Patients are prohibited from strenuous exercise for at least two weeks after a hair transplant. This applies for both techniques, but as the tiny punches after a FUE procedure do not widen or tend to leak, you can return to your workout routine much earlier.
• Less postoperative discomfort with FUE: Since an FUE is not as intrusive as an FUT, the patients tend to feel less pain afterwards.
• FUE can also be used for eyebrow hair and beard transplants: This is something we offer at Elithair, where the grafts can also be taken from the DHT-resistant area on the back of the head.
• FUE works on tight scalps: Where FUT is recommended for those patients whose scalp is lax (or loose), FUE can be performed on both loose or tight scalps.

Success Rates of Fut and Fue Hair Transplants

Whilst it is difficult to determine an accurate FUT vs FUE success rate, as each case is individual, studies show that FUE can yield exceptional results in skilled hands, with the “two most important factors in success of FUE [being] accuracy and speed which come with time and practice.”

Studies from Tsilosani found survival of the FUE grafts equivalent to that of FUT grafts. Here at Elithair we have found consistent patient satisfaction in our hair transplants.

Which Hair Transplant Is Best for Me?

The two surgery techniques used in hair restoration are FUT and FUE. While FUT is still being performed it is considered less safe and is followed by a longer recovery period. Although the procedure may be longer with FUE, the safety and a natural-looking result is a priority for our patients, and this is the procedure we specialise in.

In this article, we covered how the two methods work and what their differences are. Following this we hope that this information will be of use if you are considering a hair transplant. 

If you have any questions about thinning hair or wish to receive a free hair analysis, simply contact our consultants. We will be happy to assist you with any enquiry regarding FUE hair transplants and discuss the best options for you.