Healing Process of FUE Hair Transplant
May 7, 2015Comparison of FUT & FUE Hair Transplant
FUE and FUT are two most commonly used hair transplant techniques being used nowadays to help people counter thinning hair and baldness. While the former is a more traditional procedure, the latter is a relatively new as it has been in the market only for almost a decade now. Whenever you see a hair transplant surgeon the very first question he or she is going to ask you is which procedure you want, FUE or FUT, and this leaves the patients quite confused. But we don’t want you to remain blank in response to this question.
Though these are two technical terms but here we will explain you the comparison of FUE and FUT in a simple, non-technical manner.
| Factors | FUE Transplant | FUT (Strip Method) |
| Terms | FUE is the short form of Follicular Unit Extraction. | FUT stands for Follicular Unit Transplant, usually FUT is used synonymously with the strip method transplant. |
| Procedural Difference | Follicular Unit Extraction, on the other hand, does not need any cutting and stitching of the scalp. Rather, the surgeon uses a small punching tool to remove hair follicles directly from the donor areas. This cylindrical punch tool pushed into the scalp to carefully pull out every graft individually, without damaging the surrounding skin. | The Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT), also known as strip method harvesting, involves removing a linear strip of skin from the donor area, usually the back or side of the head. The strip is then dissected under a strong microscope to obtain small grafts, which are then transplanted into the hairless areas on the scalp. |
| Linear Scarring | FUE is also sometimes referred to as scar-less hair transplant technique as it does not involve any cutting and stitching of skin. Nevertheless, it leaves behind micro-sized scars, but they are barely visible from distance. | Since FUT involves cutting and stitching of skin at the donor site, it leaves behind a noticeable linear scar. Although the scar is crafted aesthetically and is very well hidden in hairs, people just don’t like it as it prevents them from wearing short hair. |
| Downtime Difference | Since Follicular Unit Extraction is a minimally invasive technique, it does not keep the patient down for long. You are likely to resume your normal activities after a couple of days, though strenuous activities should be avoided. | FUT, on the other hand involves stitching and dressing of the scalp and needs a little longer time for the wound to heal, and thus involves downtime of several days – usually 5 to 7 days. |
| Cost Difference | As far as the cost is concerned, FUE is a little expensive as compared to FUT. However, it is justified and is really worth it. | The per-graft cost of a Follicular Unit Transplant (Strip Method) transplant is lower than that of a FUE Transplant. |
| Recovery Time | However, the recovery time in FUE is less then FUT procedure. Also, it gives better results as compared to FUT | Just like downtime, recovery time is also more in case of strip method transplant aka Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) as compared to the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). |
FUE and FUT are two most commonly used hair transplant techniques being used nowadays to help people counter thinning hair and baldness. While the former is a more traditional procedure, the latter is a relatively new as it has been in the market only for almost a decade now.
