FUE Versus FUT Hair Transplants

FUT/Strip surgery and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) use separate methods for harvesting grafts, and due to the characteristics of these methods, the strip surgery usually produces a fatter graft than the FUE type. However, with good FUE technique, there should be minimal transection of the harvested follicles. In other words, either procedure type should produce excellent follicles for transplantation. When the argument is strongly made against either a strip procedure or an FUE technique, it suggests to Dr. Himanshu Paul that the source of the reasoning is not proficient at the method they do not prefer. Dr. Himanshu has proficiency in both techniques and can appreciate the merits of each type so that the only real consideration is what is in the best interest of his patients.

Debate exists as to the success rate regarding FUE versus FUT grafts based on the donor zone. The concern is that because FUE grafts are extracted from a broader region on the scalp than in a FUT procedure, follicles may be lost to balding over time. Skin and Sculpt stance on the issue is that with careful planning on the part of the surgeon, any issues thought to be associated with donor hair are mostly non-existent. Dr. Himanshu will not even advise FUE for a patient who lacks a sufficient amount of viable donor hair in the safe zone. Additionally, in FUE cases Dr. Himanshu only extracts hair from established safe donor sites. To summarize, the donor hair for all techniques is harvested from the safe zone.

The recovery for FUT and FUE No Shave is quicker, cosmetically, since there is no need for the donor area to be shaved, and longer hair can completely cover the donor incision immediately after the FUT procedure. Many business professionals favor FUT or FUE No Shave hair transplants as there is significantly less downtime from work for any cosmetic reasons. Most can return to work within one or two days. However, for strenuous physical activity, recovery time is the same as it is for FUE. We need to protect the newly transplanted grafts no matter which procedure method is employed.

In contrast, cosmetically, the classical FUE procedure requires the donor area be clipped very close to the scalp, which can make evidence of surgery more noticeable for to 2 or 3 weeks post op until the hair grows back long enough to camouflage the harvested area. Once the healing is complete, and any redness has subsided, the hair can be cut shorter. Likewise, strenuous physical activity restriction is mostly the same as it is for FUT and FUE No Shave procedures to protect the newly implanted follicles.