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FUT Hair Transplant

2 clinics offering this treatment

What Is a FUT Hair Transplant?

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a surgical hair restoration procedure where a narrow strip of hair-bearing skin is removed from the donor area, typically the back or sides of the head. This area is chosen because the hair follicles there are genetically resistant to the hormones that cause balding.

Once the strip is removed, the donor site is sutured together, and the strip is divided into individual follicular units (grafts) under high-powered microscopes. These grafts are then meticulously implanted into the thinning or balding areas of the scalp to create a natural-looking hairline and increased density.

How It Works

  • Donor Strip Harvesting: The surgeon removes a thin horizontal strip of scalp tissue from the permanent hair zone.
  • Suturing: The donor area is closed using specialized techniques, such as trichophytic closure, to minimize the visibility of the resulting scar.
  • Microscopic Dissection: Skilled technicians use microscopes to separate the strip into individual grafts containing one to four hairs each.
  • Recipient Site Creation: The surgeon creates tiny incisions in the recipient area, determining the angle, direction, and density of the new hair.
  • Graft Placement: The prepared follicular units are carefully placed into the incisions by the surgical team.

Who It's For

  • Patients with extensive hair loss who require a high volume of grafts (megasessions).
  • Individuals with limited donor hair density who need to maximize the number of usable follicles.
  • Patients who do not mind a linear scar or who plan to keep their hair long enough to cover it.
  • Those looking for a potentially more affordable option per graft compared to FUE.

Benefits

  • High Graft Quality: Microscopic dissection ensures that the protective tissue around the follicles remains intact, leading to high survival rates.
  • Maximum Yield: Allows the surgeon to harvest a large number of grafts in a single procedure.
  • No Shaving Required: Unlike some other methods, FUT usually does not require the entire donor area to be shaved.
  • Cost Efficiency: Often more economical for large-scale hair restoration projects.

Limitations & Risks

  • Linear Scarring: FUT leaves a permanent linear scar at the back of the head, which may be visible if the hair is worn very short.
  • Recovery Time: The healing process for the donor area is longer than FUE, typically involving 10 to 14 days before sutures are removed.
  • Scalp Tension: Patients may feel a sensation of tightness in the donor area during the initial healing phase.
  • General Risks: As with any surgery, risks include minor swelling, bruising, infection, or temporary numbness.

Questions to Ask Your Clinic

  • How many FUT procedures do you perform annually, and can I see long-term results?
  • What specific closure technique do you use to minimize the donor scar?
  • How many technicians will be involved in the microscopic dissection of my grafts?
  • What is the expected graft survival rate for my specific hair type?

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Clinics offering FUT Hair Transplant