Hair loss is a common problem affecting millions of people around the world. The good news, however, is that if you are a man and you have sufficient donor hair on the sides and back of your scalp, you may be a good candidate for hair transplant surgery. (Women tend to respond better to other methods of hair restoration.)
There are different hair transplant techniques available that work well for men. While each type of transplant method can produce natural-looking results, the best treatment method for you will depend on several factors – including the extent of your hair loss, the particular characteristics of your hair, and the supply of viable follicular units in your donor area.
There are two principal types of hair transplants: Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) or “strip,” and Follicular Unit Excision (FUE). Each of these methods has its own advantages, and the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and specific circumstances.
What’s the Difference Between FUT vs. FUE?
The main difference between the FUT and FUE hair transplant procedures is the manner in which your donor hair is harvested from the plentiful area on your head to the thinning area.
- The FUT surgery involves the removal of a healthy strip of hair-bearing skin, usually from the back of your head near your neck. This strip of skin is then carefully divided by your hair restoration doctor into tiny grafts of separate follicular units made up of one to four hairs each.
- The FUE process, on the other hand, utilizes a “punch”-like device to extract individual follicular units directly from your scalp. The units do not need to be divided like in the FUT method, because they are already very tiny.
In both cases, the hair grafts are then carefully and precisely implanted into the balding areas of your scalp to create a natural look.
While both methods are proven to achieve excellent results, the best option for you will depend on:
- The extent of your hair loss,
- The amount and quality of your donor hair,
- The cost-vs.-benefit, and
- The ultimate look you are hoping to achieve.
Which Hair Transplant Type Is Best for Me?
The FUT and FUE hair transplant methods each have their respective advantages. Both techniques require only a local anesthetic with minimal discomfort once the superficial numbing injections are completed.
Advantages of FUT
In many cases, FUT will produce a higher yield of hair because all the hair is harvested from the area where your hair is usually most abundant.
Also, unlike the FUE method – which usually requires the shaving of at least the sides and back of your head, to keep the hair length short so follicles can be easily removed – the FUT technique allows most of the hair to be left longer if desired.
The FUT procedure also generally requires a shorter time in surgery as compared to the FUE method. Plus, in most cases, a FUT procedure costs less than the FUE hair transplant.
Advantages of FUE
The FUE method creates minimal scarring, because follicles are extracted by the doctor in miniscule sections. Compare this to FUT, which creates a large strip-style scar in the back of your head near your neck. It can be covered up with hair, but you will likely never want to grow it too short.
FUE hair surgery also allows a faster recovery time post-surgery. This is because the small holes usually heal in just a few days, allowing you to get back to normal activity more quickly than with FUT.
If you are in the early stages of hair loss and require only a small number of grafts, or if your bald patches are small, FUE may be your best bet so you can heal more quickly and fully.
Hair Transplants in Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma
Recognized as one of the world’s top hair restoration surgeons, Dr. Robert Niedblaski at Northwest Hair Restoration has pioneered hair transplant techniques and has an excellent reputation for delivering successful FUT and FUE procedures, as well as nonsurgical techniques to treat hair loss.
Since each method has its own advantages, Dr. Niedblaski will personally discuss the pros and cons with you as they relate to your specific situation to help you decide on the most suitable course of treatment.
For a private consultation, contact Northwest Hair Restoration today at (253) 572-2949 or use our online appointment request form to arrange your visit. We look forward to helping you love how you look.
