FUE and FUT explained in detail.
When reading about hair transplant procedures, you might get confused between FUE and FUT hair transplant procedures, what they are, how they are performed and which one you should choose.
The world of hair transplant procedures is evolving day by day, new methods are being discovered, and new techniques are being used. However, there are big differences between the FUE and FUT method that will change your mind on which procedure to get.
Here, at Esthetic Hair Mexico, we care about giving our patients all the available options and help them understand the differences and which of the available options is the best for them. In this article, we explain in detail the main differences between the FUE hair transplantation and FUT hair transplantation and what you should know about these two methods.
FUT the hair transplant procedure or follicular unit transplantation is a surgical hair transplantation method in which a hair-bearing strip of skin is taken from the donor area and implanted into the problematic area.
The procedure is performed by removing a strip of skin from the back of the head where there is good hair growth, then stitching or stapling the scalp creating a linear permanent scar. Then, with the help of a microscope, the doctor carefully and gently removes the hair grafts to implant them into the recipient area. The recipient area is prepared by making incisions and inserting the grafts at a specific angle and depth to achieve a natural result. The length of the skin strip depends on the number of grafts to be harvested and implanted.
Local anesthesia is usually used during the FUT procedure to numb the donor and recipient areas and make the procedure painless. The patient can watch a movie or simply sit in the chair and relax until the procedure is complete.
The recovery period depends mainly on how disciplined you are in following the doctor’s aftercare procedures. It takes about a few days to a week before patients can return to their normal daily lives, and about a month before they can resume physical activities such as intense sports and swimming.
Before you decide to undergo hair transplantation FUT, you should consult your doctor whether you are a suitable candidate for this technique or not. Remember that hair transplantation has evolved and today there are hair restoration procedures that do not require the removal of strips of skin and do not leave a permanent scar on the back of the head.
The main advantage of the FUT hair transplant procedure is that a larger amount of hair follicles can be harvested and implanted compared to other procedures. Moreover, FUT hair transplantation can take less time compared to FUE hair transplantation procedure. Another advantage is that you can support the FUT hair transplant results if you undergo FUE hair transplant, while the opposite is not possible. Moreover, the FUT hair transplant procedure is cheaper than the other methods.
The disadvantages of FUT hair transplantation are quite numerous and cause discomfort for the patient for a long time. The FUT requires sutures and a longer recovery time, and if you look at the results of other techniques, the result of FUT does not look as natural as the results of other techniques.
Adding to the disadvantages of the hair transplant procedure FUT is that it is considered an invasive procedure, which means that it carries more risks than other procedures, such as nerve damage and more severe pain. From an aesthetic point of view, the patient has limited possibilities to style his hair due to the scar on the back of the head.
The FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplant procedure is a minimally invasive procedure in which hair grafts are manually extracted from the donor area directly into the problematic area, one at a time.
The procedure focuses on determining the best donor area and shaving it to get a better view of the hair follicles. The donor area is usually located on the back or sides of the scalp, where the holes are made to harvest the hair grafts. Once the hair grafts are taken, they are kept in a physiological solution to preserve them and protect them from possible damage. Then the recipient area is prepared for implantation by shaving and opening incisions. There are two types of blades used in FUE. Normal steel blades are used in normal FUE hair transplantation, but sapphire blades are used in sapphire FUE hair transplantation, which are smoother and sharper and cause less tissue damage compared to normal steel blades. Once the incisions are made, the implantation of the harvested grafts begins according to the agreed structure to cover the bald area in the best possible way.
During the FUT hair transplant procedure, the donor and recipient areas are locally anesthetized, and patients can even watch a movie or chat with friends during the procedure.
The advantages of FUE hair transplantation are very numerous. One of the main advantages of the FUE procedure is that the scars are barely visible, as they are tiny and can even be covered with hair later. Moreover, the hair grafts are taken dynamically, so there are no empty areas after the procedure. One of the main points that makes FUE the right option for many is the short recovery period and the natural result. The FUE hair transplant procedure allows you to get different haircuts with different hairstyles, as there is no scar to hide.
And because everything has a bright side and a dark side, there are also a few disadvantages that you need to know about FUE, for example, the cost of FUE hair transplant is higher than the cost of FUT hair transplant, and the number of grafts is limited, so the FUE option may not be the best option if the bald area is large. In addition, FUE hair transplantation takes longer to perform than FUT hair transplantation, and last but not least, the patient needs to shave the head before the procedure to get a better view of the hair follicles.
Hair transplant procedures require a follow-up routine to ensure that grafts are safe and to pave the way for successful results. Since FUE and FUT hair transplants are performed differently, there are some tips for each procedure that must be followed to ensure a smooth healing process.
Since FUT hair transplant is considered a surgical hair transplant procedure, it takes a longer time to complete the healing phase.. During the procedure, a large incision is made to remove the strip of skin, which makes it take longer for the scalp tissue to recover and heal compared to the other hair transplant methods. Nevertheless, the doctor will prescribe medications to protect the scalp from infections that could make the whole procedure complicated and risky. It may take up to 5 weeks for the tissue to heal completely, but in the meantime, patients can return to their normal routine.
The healing period after FUE hair transplantation is shorter and faster, and patients who undergo FUE hair transplantation require no more than 3 days to return to their daily routine and 7 to 14 days to resume their gym workouts that don't cause heavy sweating. The patient may face discomfort and some complications such as pimples, itching and redness. All these side effects are mostly self-limiting and don't cause any long-term discomfort.
Before considering hair transplantation, several factors must be considered. During the initial consultation and after knowing the hair type, density and structure. And when the doctor knows the expectations and needs of the patient, the doctor can recommend the right procedure and method.
To be a suitable candidate for follicular unit transplantation, you must have a sufficient donor area from which to harvest the skin strip. In addition, hair loss must be stable if you decide to undergo FUT hair transplantation. Therefore, it is recommended that you wait until the age of 25 or 30 to have a hair transplant. It is also important that you have realistic expectations about the results and the design of the hairline
It is recommended that those who wish to undergo FUE hair transplantation wait until they have a stable hair loss pattern to better assess hair density and thus determine how many grafts to implant. In addition, the patient must have good general health and a healthy scalp. Each patient must be realistic because the results take time to become visible.
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