May 29, 2022

The Pros and Cons of FUT vs FUE Hair Transplants Methods

When it comes to hair loss, there are many options for hair restoration and replacement. Two options for hair transplants that have gained in popularity in recent years are FUE & FUT Hair Transplants. Both achieve the same goal of restoring hair to its natural glory, and both have high success rates. So, what are the differences between FUE and FUT?

What is Hair Transplantation?

Hair transplantation is a surgical technique that extracts hair follicles from one section of your head (otherwise known as the donor area) to a section where hair is thinning (known as the recipient area). There are different types of procedures but they all can effectively address issues such as male pattern baldness and women who suffer from androgenetic alopecia and unavoidable hair loss. 

Whichever procedure best fits your lifestyle and needs, you will see visible hair growth within three to six months. During your consultation, we will evaluate and address several factors:

• The hair area size that suffers from thinning
• The pattern of hair loss
• The quality and amount of hair from the donor area
• The scarring that can occur from both procedures

The main difference between the FUT and FUE Hair Transplant methods is how hair is extracted from the donor area. Whether it’s as a strip of donor skin, with the FUT method, or as individual follicular units, in the FUE method, the results from both procedures are natural-looking, fuller hair that’s all your own. 

FUT Hair Transplant Method

With the Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) method, a strip of hair-bearing skin is removed from another area on the scalp. Typically, this “donor” is taken from the back of the head. This type of hair transplantation method is also known as ‘strip’ surgery. The success of the long-term donor hair supply is influenced by how lax the scalp skin is and how many hairs per centimeter are on the donor scalp. 

Our team of experts then surgically divides the strip into tiny grafts of individual follicular units with anywhere from one to four hairs on each. These grafts are stored until ready for transplantation. The donor area is skillfully stitched up and it’s covered by the surrounding hair. Once the stitches are removed, the donor area is left with a minimal linear scar that is typically covered with natural hair growth. 

FUE Hair Transplant Method

The Follicular Unit Excision or Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) also used a donor area on the scalp. However, the donor area is shaved and follicular unit grafts are meticulously removed individually with a tiny micro-punch tool. The donor area will be left with a series of tiny dot scars on the scalp, barely noticeable to others. With this method, our expert surgeons will ensure that there is an adequate donor supply for multiple treatments before beginning. 

PROS AND CONS OF FUE VS FUT PROCEDURES

Both procedures have pros and cons related to them. At your free consultation, we will go over both methods and discuss which method is best for you and your overall needs.

Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros of FUE

• Little to no trace of scarring post-recovery
• If you prefer short hair, the FUE hair procedure will show no visible signs of scarring
• Short recovery time of 5-7 days

Cons of FUE

• The extraction of grafts can be time-consuming, making the process longer than FUT
• When comparing costs, FUE is a more expensive procedure than FUT

Pros of FUT

• For clients that require a larger amount of grating, FUT typically offers a higher yield of hair. Therefore, FUT is preferred if large amounts are needed to achieve the fullness you desire
• You can hide the linear scar with the remaining hair
• Shorter surgery time – the FUT method varies between 4-12 hours depending on the area size and amount of grafts required. FUE requires on average 10 hours or more due to the individual grafts to the donor area. On
• On average a FUT hair procedure costs less than the FUT procedure
• Both are painless, minimally invasive procedures that only need a local anesthesia

Cons of FUT

• You have to address covering the linear scar that remains visible in the donor area. 
• The recovery period is 10-14 days; longer than an FUE procedure

Scalp Micropigmentation to Help with Scarring

If you want to minimalize the scarring from the FUE and FUT procedures, scalp micropigmentation (SMP) can help. Although FUE only leaves minor white dots whereas FUT leaves a long linear scar, scalp micropigmentation can be successful following either procedure to create a patterned tattoo that emulates hair follicles close to the scalp.

As soon as you notice hair loss, take action. The sooner you have your hair loss assessed by a professional at Hair Restoration Institute, the sooner you can be on your way to thicker, fuller hair. Make an appointment today for a discreet and free consultation by one of our caring hair loss experts. You can find us at 8009 34th Ave S, Suite 1225 in Bloomington, MN, or call 612-588-HAIR (4247) for a private, complimentary consultation.