FUE and FUT - Which Hair Transplant Method is Ideal for You
The most popular hair transplant methods are: Follicular Unit Hair Transplants (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Both methods involve follicular transplant, meaning follicles are extracted from donor area and transplanted in the recipient area; but the way follicles are extracted and transplanted is different in each case. Hair follicles are taken from patients themselves, mostly from the backside of the scalp.
FUT method is simple and cost effective because it involves less number of incisions on the scalp. A single strip may be used to implant a large number of grafts, up to 5000 or more. This method is better for treating extensive baldness covering large areas on the scalp. Compared to FUE, FUT involves less blood loss and pain. The procedure can be completed much quicker than FUE. Also, in FUE the chances of hair follicles getting damaged are also less because donor area suffers from less shock from the surgical procedures. Another advantage of FUE method is that donor area need not be shaved, so there will be no disfigurement of the existing hair as the donor area will be easily covered by existing hair surrounding it. The only drawback associated with strip method is that it leaves large scars on the scalp. Of late, several treatments are offered in conjunction with FUT transplant to minimize post-op scar on the scalp. FUT is carried out only by experienced FUT practitioner. Good infrastructure and experienced technicians are required to conduct this process successfully.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is more advanced than FUT, but is still not the preferred choice of many because of the cost and efforts involved in it. FUE involves extraction of individual follicles from the donor area and transplanting it in recipient area. The process is tiresome to both patients and surgeons. Even a highly experienced surgeon can implant only between 500 and 1500 grafts daily. For complete graft, one has to undergo the procedure multiple times. Each time when the follicle is extracted from the donor area, it has to be shaved, so the patients will suffer from disfigurement of their hair.
Of late, robots-assisted FUE therapies are gaining popularity. Robots such as ARTAS simplify the procedure by actually lining up the cutting instrument with the follicular unit. It successfully extracts the follicular unit by going dead center, reducing any damage to the follicle itself. With these methods, efforts of physicians and patients are reduced.
Both FUT and FUE are found to be effective in treating androgenic alopecia. While FUT method is especially useful for patients with big bald patches, FUE methods are ideal for patients who don’t like to carry the permanent scar mark on their hair.
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