Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) remain the principal methods of hair transplant. Men presently grappling with alopecia or pattern baldness seek the hair transplant procedures to restore their cosmetic glory (partially impacted by thinning or receding hair).
FUE Versus FUT: Everything You Need To Know
However, FUT and FUE are different hair restorative techniques – both very effective – but entailing different risks, healing periods and lengths. And, a patient seeking the help of hair transplant in Mumbai should know how these differences impact treatment to make an informed decision about the choice of the procedure in the first place.
However, before delving into relevant details, we will walk you through the basic differences between the particular procedures themselves. Read on to unravel.
Follicular Unit Transplant or FUT (as it is commonly known) is the traditional hair restorative technique whereby the surgeon extracts a strip of hair from the donor area (generally from the back of the scalp in case of male pattern baldness) and transplants the same on areas with scanty hair. Once the strip is extracted, it is dissected into individual grafts way smaller than follicular units. This particular procedure leaves a scar the diameter of which may vary from 1 to 5 mm.
The width of the scar, however, cannot really be gauged before the surgery.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), the contemporary hair restorative technique entails the harvesting of a larger number of follicles from a larger donor zone. The surgeon, as such, has a higher number of available grafts at his disposal. The procedure engenders less noticeable scars since the doctor cuts each follicular unit one by one. So, as one can easily imagine, FUE remains a way lengthier procedure than FUT. Mostly, FUE procedures are divided into multiple shorter sessions.
Though these procedures are essentially different, in both cases, the hair transplant doctors in Mumbai must take great care to ensure that the newly transplanted hair blends seamlessly with existing hair. Any discrepancy there can actually end up hurting your cosmetic aspirations to a large extent. The surgeon has access to refined implanters and forceps to reimplant grafts. A lot of attention is paid to the storage and handling of follicles to avoid damage and facilitate the survival of grafts.
As far as suitability is concerned, FUE is outright recommended for those who don’t want to avoid noticeable scars. In case of this particular procedure, the scars are tiny or hardly noticeable because – as against the more localized FUT scars – they are spread throughout the scalp.
The total number of potential grafts procured is higher in the case of FUE, quite simply because the surgeon does not require leaving a large amount of hair to conceal a wide scar. Another major drawback of the FUT procedure is the alteration of the direction of hair growth itself. The change might as well ensure after a single or multiple FUT session/s. Since the procedure involves the removal of a wide area of skin, the quality of hair varies on each side of the scar. Generally, the hair above the scar is coarser than the hair at the bottom of the scar. Expect the difference in hair quality to be visible even after a short haircut.
The suitability can best be judged by understanding the goals of the patient closely.
FUE allows you to wear your hair short since it entails minimal scarring. However, FUT is recommended for those looking forward to a higher yield of hair and shorter length of surgery time.
Consult a hair transplant clinic near me to know more. Both these procedures are almost painless involving only a local anesthetic.