Hair loss, unfortunately, is an affliction that most of us will have to endure at some point in our lifetimes. The most common form of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia.

Also known as male or female pattern baldness, it affects approximately 50 million men in the United States and 30 million women. This form of alopecia is only one of the many known causes of hair thinning and loss that can go on to negatively impact our self-image. This can result in lowered self-esteem, which can lead to poorer work performance, depression, and more.

Thankfully, hair restoration has come a long way over the years. What was once considered an impossibility has become a reality… as more people than you might realize have been able to turn the clock back on their scalp and enjoy a fuller head of hair and the confidence that comes with it.

That said, not all hair restoration options are equal. You owe it to yourself to know the differences between hair transplant procedures such as FUE (follicular unit extraction) and FUT (follicular unit transplant) – and which approach is best suited for you and your specific hair loss situation.

Is FUE As Effective As FUT?

Before we can say if FUE is as effective as FUT, it’s important to understand the differences between the two procedures.

FUE, which stands for Follicular Unit Extraction, is a type of hair transplant that involves extracting single hair follicles from densely populated areas of the body. These are then moved to a part of the scalp where the hair is thinning or absent entirely.

FUT, also known as Follicular Unit Transplant, on the other hand involves removing a strip of skin from the back or side of the head, extracting the hair follicles, and implanting them into the balding parts of the scalp. The latter leaves a thin scar where the strip of scalp is removed, while the former leaves tiny round scars.

While FUE is a more targeted approach to hair restoration, the type of transplant that’s most effective and efficient for you depends upon the type of hair loss you’re experiencing.

Is FUE Or FUT More Painful?

The short answer is that, on average, FUT tends to be more painful than FUE post-procedure. Describing it in that way can be somewhat misleading, however.

Studies have shown that patients have described through surveys that pain post-FUT registered at around a 2 out of 5 on the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale and was below a 1 by the third day. Post-FUE pain registered below a 1 out of 5 by the second day. So, for many patients, FUE and FUT procedures involve discomfort more than significant pain.

Does FUE Look More Natural?

FUE looks more natural by design as it involves very precisely moving single hair follicles to barren areas of the scalp to increase hair density in desired areas. That said, FUT may still be your best and most efficient option overall… particularly if you are already experiencing significant male pattern baldness.

Dr. Frank Can Help You Decide If FUE Or FUT Is Best For You

Everyone’s scalp and the cause of their baldness is different. That’s why it is so important to work with dedicated hair restoration professionals that put your needs first. Book a Frank & Honest Hair Consultation today to discover the cause of your hair loss and discuss the right hair treatment options for your case.