FUE vs. FUT: Which Transplant Procedure is Right For You?
With incredible advancements in today's hair transplant technology, patients now have various options for treating thinning and balding. At True & Dorin Medical Group serving Manhattan, NYC, and communities throughout greater NYC, Drs. Robert H. True and Robert J. Dorin offer both FUE (follicular unit extraction) and FUT (follicular unit transplantation) to help patients successfully achieve their goals. While both options can produce long-lasting, natural-looking results, each type has distinct advantages. You should carefully weigh FUE vs. FUT based on your individual needs, budget, and lifestyle.
What Is the Difference Between FUE and FUT?
The main difference between FUT and FUE is the way that the hair follicles are harvested from the scalp.
FUT: During FUT, a narrow strip of skin is excised and the edges of the incision are sutured together. Individual follicular grafts are then extracted from the strip and then transplanted into tiny incisions in the balding areas.
FUE: In order to perform FUE, the doctor isolates and removes individual follicle units from the donor site. A very small punch tool is used to remove superficial layers of skin around each unit for precise extraction. These units are then transplanted directly into the treatment area.
A patient’s treatment decision depends on their candidacy, individual preferences, and ultimately, what the doctor recommends as being the best approach.
Pros and Cons of FUT and FUE
During a full consultation, Dr. True or Dr. Dorin will discuss your goals, fully examine the extent of your hair loss, and discuss the pros and cons of each procedure.
Follicular Unit Transplantation
FUT is an excellent choice for patients who like to keep their hair longer and are interested in more cost-effective treatment.
Advantages
- Less expensive per graft than FUE
- Typically allows for more hairs to be transplanted in a single procedure (up to 4,000 follicular units can be harvested and transplanted at one time)
- No extensive shaving of the donor area is necessary
Drawbacks
- Procedure requires a stitched closure, which may create temporary tightness or moderate soreness in the donor region
- Stitches need to be removed after about 10 days
- A fine linear scar is created in the donor area, but it can be concealed by the surrounding hair
Follicular Unit Extraction
FUE is a more specialized, laborious technique that relies on incredible precision to extract and then place each individual hair follicle. Patients with shorter hair are good candidates for this procedure, as it does not require stitching and does not leave noticeable scarring.
Advantages
- More comfortable postoperative period
- Allows patients greater flexibility in styling their hair
- Tiny customized punches used for extraction result in minimal punctate scars
Drawbacks
- Cost of each graft is higher than FUT technique
- Limitation regarding the total number of follicular units that can be harvested (capped at 2,500 to ensure viability of hair and minimize scarring)
- Larger cases require shaving the donor area and a period of seven to 14 days before area begins blending with surrounding hair
Different Techniques, Comparable Results
Dr. True and Dr. Dorin have spent decades performing both FUE and FUT on thousands of patients suffering from all types of hair loss. Whether you are interested in a more youthful, refined hairline or an overall thicker head of hair, the doctors will walk you through your options and help you achieve your goals. For more information regarding our various surgical techniques, please send us a message or give us a call at (866) 629-0866 to set up a consultation.
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True & Dorin has a long-standing reputation for excellence in patient care, and delivering exceptional outcomes.
