The issue of thinning hair or hair-loss continues to be one of the major concerns among men and women. Although hair-loss primarily affects those in their 40s, people may begin loosing their hair at younger ages–teens or 20s. The internet is littered with the tales of hair transplant procedures, such as Follicle Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicle Unit Transplantation (FUT). Each of these procedures come with their own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. Once you know more about FUE versus FUT, you will be able to make the best choice for regaining the confidence that comes with a thick, full head of hair.
Follicle Unit Transplantation
FUT was the first form of permanent surgical hair loss solutions available. During this procedure, the surgeon would remove a thin strip of the scalp from a thick donor area. Afterwards, the surgeon would microdissect the hair follicle units from the donated section of scalp. This enabled much of the nutrient-rich mucus membranes and tissue just beneath the skin to remain intact once transplanted to the affected area.
Advantages
• The chances of losing the entire graft were diminished in FUT due to the preservation of additional tissues surrounding the hair follicle.
• The procedure is commonly performed in one session.
• The hair follicles are outside of the body for a short length of time.
• A single, thin scar will appear following the procedure.
Disadvantages
• The scar will remain visible in the donor area if the person chooses to wear his or her hair short.
• The ability to access additional donor sites decreases if the donor site begins to thin.
• FUT requires a long strip of the donor site to be removed.
Follicle Unit Extraction
FUE is an advanced form of FUT. During FUE, the surgeon removes the individual hair follicle units, which may contain 1, 2, 3, or 4 hairs, from the donor areas with a medical punch. Afterwards, the single follicle units are placed in the prepared recipient area, and the punch will be used to ready the recipient site. Due to the lack of removal of the whole donor tissue strip, FUE enables the surgeon to have several unique advantages over performing a hair-loss procedure beyond the capabilities of FUT. As with any medical procedure, FUE does still have some drawbacks.
Advantages
• FUE allows the surgeon to possibly access additional hair donor sites, such as the chest when donor sites on the head are unavailable.
• Less risk for hair-loss in the donor area.
• The scaring is minimal compared to the FUT scar-line and nearly invisible even with short hair.
• The number of units extracted can be changed dramatically to suite the needs of each specific patient.
• The healing time for the donor sites is lessened.
• You may return for additional treatment without worrying about too much area being removed from a single portion of the donor site.
Disadvantages
• Multiple sessions for the procedure may be necessary depending on the amount of units being extracted and inserted.
• The hair follicle units may be more susceptible to damage while healing.
• Some hair follicle units may not take to the donor area.
• Each punch will appear as a tiny, white, round scar.
• The scaring may become evident, although less than noticeable in FUT, when the head is shaved.
Making the decision to do something about hair-loss has transformed from a wish of the past into the reality of the present. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of FUE and FUT, and you will be able to have your radiant, confident hairstyle back once you make a decision.
Hair Restoration for Men and Women
Are you experiencing Alopecia or thinning hair? We encourage you to find out more about the variety of options available to treat hair loss in men and women. It’s important to consult with an experienced and trained restoration professional.
To learn more about which treatment option is right for you, schedule a Frank & Honest Hair Consultation or contact our team in New York City or Columbus, Ohio.
