FUT hair transplant, or follicular unit transplantation, is a surgical hair restoration procedure that is used to treat hair loss. To achieve that, a strip of skin is taken from the back of the scalp (donor area) and dissected into individual, or up to 4 follicles, to be transplanted in the recipient area (balding area).
In this article, you would learn everything that there is about FUT. With recent developments in the field of hair transplantation, we are giving you the details you need about this method.
In this article, the key points that you will see are:
- FUT IS THE MOTHER OF ALL HAIR TRANSPLANT METHODS THAT EXIST TODAY.
- AN IMPORTANT PART OF FUT IS STRIP HARVESTING AND IT IS DIFFICULT.
- BECAUSE OF ITS INVASIVE NATURE AND MORE RISKS, LESS DOCTORS ARE GOING FOR THIS PROCEDURE.
- FUT LEAVES BEHIND A SIGNIFICANT SCAR ON THE DONOR SITE.
- ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS FUE AND DHI ARE NOW MORE POPULAR TECHNIQUES.
Now, let’s start with the first question in mind!
What Is A FUT Hair Transplant?
FUT is an invasive surgical approach that includes taking a strip of skin from the back of your head that has healthy hair follicles so your doctor can implant them in the bald or thinning areas of the scalp.
Initially, it wasn’t that widely practiced until doctor B.L. Limmer introduced the FUT method to the medical world in the late 1980s.
Since then, hair transplant doctors have improved the technique, which now includes three main steps. However, we can say that a significant part of the procedure involves extracting a strip of scalp from the back of the head.
The FUT Hair Transplant Procedure
To put it in simple words, here are three major steps of the FUT method:
- STRIP HARVESTING
- GRAFT PREPARATION
- IMPLANTATION
1- The procedure starts with strip harvesting after anesthesia application on the scalp. The operation team harvests a 10 to 15-mm wide linear strip of skin from the back of the head and sutures back the area.
2- Then, the harvested skin is prepared. They remove the excessive fat tissues, divide the whole piece into small pieces, and separate every single hair follicle, approximately 3,000 follicular units can be acquired.
3- Finally, the grafts are implanted. Each hair follicle is delicately placed into your hairline, temples, and crown areas into hosting channels that are opened with small blade incisions.
Understanding Strip Harvesting In FUT
Removing a strip of hair is the initial part of the FUT method of hair transplant. Even though FUT has been the gold standard of hair restoration surgery with promising results, this part of the method can be disturbing to some people. But in good hands, you do not need to worry.
Marking the most accurate part of the scalp is of utmost importance. Your scalp elasticity is assessed to avoid future complications such as closure of the harvesting site.
Next, based on the number of grafts needed, the length of the strip is decided. The hair density is calculated using a densitometer.
After the specific incisions are made, there will be a lot of pulling on your scalp’s skin to pull off the strip of donor tissue.
Is The FUT Technique Transplant A Viable Option?
No, FUT is considered an obsolete method of hair transplantation and therefore not considered a viable option. With medical developments in cosmetic procedures, we have seen different hair restoration methods other than FUT throughout the years.
There are a few alternatives to FUT hair transplant.
- FUE WHICH STANDS FOR FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION
- DHI WHICH IS DIRECT HAIR IMPLANTATION
Why Do Many Doctors Prefer Alternative Techniques?
Since performing the harvesting part of FUT is more difficult and time-consuming, and requires great surgical skills, doctors prefer alternative techniques. And let’s not forget about the risks of infection after surgery.
- THE HARVESTING PART OF FUT IS MORE TIME-CONSUMING AND DIFFICULT.
- REQUIRES SKILL AND TRAINING FOR PERFECTLY REMOVING THE STRIP AND CLOSING IT PROPERLY.
- SINCE THERE IS A WOUND, YOU ARE MORE PRONE TO INFECTIONS AND OTHER COMPLICATIONS.
- THE RECOVERY AND HEALING PERIODS ARE RATHER LONG AFTER THE STRIP HARVESTING.
With techniques such as FUE and DHI, you will get the same or even better results and you do not need to go through a major surgery either.
Hair Transplant FUT Scar: Is It That Bad?
Unfortunately yes, hair transplant scars can be bad. Even when completely healed, the linear scar will not go away and will always be on the back of your head. No hair will grow on that site, so it could be a challenge to cover it up but not in all cases.
And that is not the worst part. If there is not enough scalp laxity closing the wound can be difficult and could cause tension. Other than the tension closure, your doctor should be mindful of the strip removal to not cause permanent nerve damage that would cause long-term pain after healing and recovery.
Can You Hide A FUT Hair Transplant?
Yes, in most cases, it is possible to hide a FUT procedure. Whether the operation itself or the scar afterward. With certain hairstyles and hair lengths, it is more manageable to cover up the scar.
As for the bandages complete wound healing might not be the easiest to hide. With good post-operative care, healing time is shortened.
Can You Experience A Loss Of Sensation?
Unfortunately yes, hair transplant scars can be bad. Even when completely healed, the linear scar will not go away and will always be on the back of your head. No hair will grow on that site, so it could be a challenge to cover it up but not in all cases.
And that is not the worst part. If there is not enough scalp laxity closing the wound can be difficult and could cause tension. Other than the tension closure, your doctor should be mindful of the strip removal to not cause permanent nerve damage that would cause long-term pain after healing and recovery.
FUT Hair Transplant Recovery Timeline
To better understand how your recovery will go after the procedure, we have provided you with a detailed FUT hair transplant timeline.
➲ Week 1: Your doctor will ask you to come in for a check-up and a wash the day after the procedure to clean your scalp and change your bandages. The swelling will start to subside, and you will feel less pressure in your head by day 6, and the stitches will be removed around the same time.
➲ Week 2: During this week, you will notice the shedding of the newly transplanted hair, which is a normal part of the recovery process.
➲ Month 1 to 5: There will be noticeable healing happening and the implanted areas of your scalp start to look like the rest of your scalp. During this time, you will notice new hair growth.
➲ Month 6 to 10: Your hair will continue to grow and get thicker.
➲ Year 1: By this time after your FUT hair transplant surgery your hair has fully grown. The growth will continue for the rest of your life.
How Much Does FUT Hair Transplant Cost?
When it comes to hair transplant cost, the price of this surgery varies between $5000-$50.000 depending on several factors:
- LEVEL OF HAIR LOSS
- NUMBER OF GRAFTS
- ADDITIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED
Most clinics, including Serkan Aygın Clinic, offer financing solutions or hair transplant packages to patients looking to renew their appearance.
Is It Worth Investing In A FUT Procedure?
In most cases, no. FUT is considered an obsolete method of hair transplantation and therefore it is not really worth investing in.
You can check out other more modern and less invasive types of hair transplants such as follicular unit extraction (FUE), and direct hair implantation (DHI), or you can get FUE and DHI at the same time.
