If one is planning to undergo a hair transplant to restore thinning hair, they are not alone. According to the latest research, about 85% of men and 40% of women are impacted by hair loss, and hair restoration offers the chance to get a fuller head. Two popular procedures for transplanting hair are Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Both procedures can restore one’s hair, giving naturally thicker, fuller locks, but there are fundamental differences between the two.
To provide one with helpful information, here are key differences between FUE and FUT hair transplants, explained by Dr. Monica Chahar, an expert hair doctor at Skin Decor. She and her team is known for offering the Best Hair Transplant in Dwarka. Read on for more helpful insights.
What is a FUE Hair Transplant?
FUE stands for Follicular Unit Extraction. During the procedure, the surgeon extracts individual hair follicles from the side and back of the scalp to transplant them into the balding area. The hair is removed from these two areas because the strands there are DHT resistant, which means that androgen hormones, which are frequently responsible for primary hair loss, have no effect on them. Even though it takes a while, there isn’t much scarring, and it won’t be evident at all once the hair grows back due to the sheer number of follicles extracted. FUE is typically the best option if one likes to keep their hair relatively short.
What is a FUT Hair Transplant?
FUT stands for Follicular Unit Transplantation, also called strip harvesting. During this procedure, a hair strip from the scalp’s sides or back is removed and then transplanted into the balding area. The FUT treatment is popular among men with male pattern baldness and a receding hairline, but it is also suitable for women. FUT hair transplants are more likely to leave scars; thus, it’s often advised for those whose hair is slightly longer.
What are the Key Differences Between FUE and FUT?
FUE and FUT achieve similar results in different ways. Here are the differences one should be aware of before choosing a hair transplant type: cost, the procedure itself, recovery time, and scarring.
- Cost
Since FUE involves removing individual hair follicles, it usually requires longer to complete than FUT. The lengthier process and the complexity of the procedure make FUE a more expensive option than FUT. Also, on the other hand, FUT hair transplants are significantly faster to complete, so they are less expensive. FUT is especially suitable for patients who require a large number of grafts on a budget. Therefore, FUE is cheaper and faster than FUE. To learn about Hair Transplant Costs in Dwarka, one can visit Skin Decor.
- Procedure
FUE is a much longer process than FUT. Both surgeries are typically completed within a day, but one might have to spare some more time if one undergoes FUE. That’s because the FUE process is more precise and complex than the FUT hair transplant. Instead of removing a whole strip of skin from the back of the head, each follicle is extracted using a punch that leaves minimal damage. In FUT, after the strip of skin has been removed, the wound in the donor’s area is stitched. Since the extraction wounds from FUE are so minor, they will naturally heal. So, compared to FUE, FUT is a more intrusive procedure. Therefore, FUT is more invasive than FUE but takes less time to complete.
- Recovery Time
As discussed above, FUT is more invasive than FUE, so the recovery time is usually longer and less comfortable. All patients who undergo hair transplants need to take care of their hair, but FUT patients should be extra careful due to the sutures in their donor area. Therefore, recovery is usually easier and quicker with an FUE hair transplant.
- Scarring
When the wound in the donor area has healed after the FUE hair transplant, one will be left with a thin and visible scar. In most cases, the scar will be hidden by the hair growth, especially if one wears long hair. If one keeps their hair short, the scar may be visible. On the contrary, FUE procedures leave little to no scarring. The follicle extraction method is cleaner than the strip method used in the FUT procedure. The tiny scabs that form will eventually heal completely, offering a more natural look. Therefore, FUE leaves virtually no scarring, while FUT will leave one with a faded but visible scar.
How Can One Choose Between the Two – FUE & FUT Hair Transplants?
Whether one chooses a FUT hair transplant or an FUE hair transplant will depend on various factors discussed during a consultation with the hair transplant surgeon. Often, individuals requiring larger grafts due to thinning hair are better candidates for a FUT procedure. On the other hand, FUE hair transplants might be suitable for those who need a certain number of grafts and wish to return to their regular schedule shortly, as the recovery time after an FUE procedure is often short due to the procedure being less invasive.
If one wishes to reverse balding with a hair transplant, they can consult Dr. Monica Chahar, the Best Skin Specialist in Dwarka at Skin Decor. Dr. Monica Chahar and her team has completed over 100 independent hair transplant surgeries and she has also assisted in over 300 hair transplant surgeries (scalp and body hair transplants). She determines which procedure is right for one’s hair transplant needs, which involves assessing the number of grafts needed, the quality of the donor’s hair, and the amount of donor’s hair available.
Apart from hair transplant, the various skin general and cosmetic conditions are treated at the clinic including melasma, open pores, fungal infections, stretch marks, and auto-immune disorders.
To avail the benefits of skin and hair treatments, book an appointment now.
