If you’re considering hair transplant surgery, it’s essential to understand the different types. Two main methods for obtaining follicles for transplantation are Follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS).
The transplant process differs in each technique. In FUE, a surgeon extracts follicular units one by one through tiny punch incisions.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is one of the most popular methods of hair transplant surgery. It’s less invasive than the strip procedure and allows fast recovery with minimal activity restrictions.
Its popularity can be attributed to its ability to minimize scarring caused by other hair restoration methods. This method extracts individual hair follicles from the donor area in small units, each with one to four hairs.
The follicular units are then implanted into areas of the scalp with thinning or balding hair. This helps to create a natural-looking hairline and restore lost density in a patient’s head.
If you’re interested in an FUE hair transplant, the first step is to meet with a Keeps Hair Restoration advisor to see if this procedure is correct. The consultation will involve a thorough analysis of your specific needs and goals for hair restoration.
After the consultation, Keeps will recommend an appropriate hair restoration treatment plan. The goal is to help you achieve your desired look while minimizing the potential for complications during hair restoration.
Keeps’ team of experienced cosmetic surgeons is well-versed in the latest and most advanced techniques for hair restoration. They use a mix of manual and automated hair follicle extraction techniques, which can be customized to suit the needs of your particular hair loss situation.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a traditional hair transplant procedure that involves harvesting individual follicular units from the back or sides of the head. These follicular units are resistant to the DHT androgen that causes male pattern baldness, so that they can be used as a permanent solution to the problem.
To begin the process, a strip of hair-bearing skin is cut across the back or sides of the scalp. This strip is then dissected to remove individual follicular units.
The donor area is then closed using sutures. The grafts are then transplanted to the recipient area of the patient’s scalp to fill in thinning areas.
Unlike previous hair restoration methods, the results from a correctly performed FUT are natural-looking and undetectable as a transplant. This is because the hair in a FUT is harvested in individual follicular units and not in larger grafts like older mini-micrografting techniques.
Before a FUT is done, your doctor will select a robust and healthy donor area of the scalp at the back or sides of the head. This vital area will contain hair, follicles, and fat resistant to the DHT androgen that causes hair loss.
Follicular Unit Expansion (FUE)
Follicular Unit Expansion (FUE) is a hair transplant procedure that removes individual hair follicles from the donor area and implants them in the recipient area. This more minimally invasive hair transplant technique offers less pain, faster recovery and less scarring than traditional linear/strip harvesting.
When you receive an FUE hair transplant, the doctor will make tiny incisions in your scalp. They then use ARTAS to remove follicles one by one. This method eliminates the plug-like appearance that often comes with traditional strip harvesting, allowing you to achieve natural-looking results.
While you may have white scabs on your scalp where the doctor removed each graft, they will heal quickly and cause no permanent changes to your head. Your follicles will begin to grow again in about a few weeks.
This is an exact hair transplant surgery that can take up to 10 hours, so be prepared for a lengthy procedure and a few days of healing. Your doctor can provide a specific pre-procedure regimen to help you achieve the best results possible.
Follicular Unit Stretching (FUT)
Follicular Unit Stretching (FUT) is a hair transplant technique that uses minor grafts to generate natural, realistic-looking results. In FUT, a strip of tissue is removed from the back of your head (the donor zone) from which individual follicular units consisting of 1-4 hairs are extracted using microscopes.
Once extracted, the follicular unit is separated from its surrounding tissue and stored in a holding solution until it can be transferred to the area of your scalp experiencing thinning or baldness. The grafts are then placed in minor, round wounds (recipient sites) on the balding or thinning areas of your scalp.
After surgery, it’s important to note that FUT does leave a linear scar in the balding area. However, after healing, this scar will usually fade or disappear.
It’s best to consult a specialist who can answer your questions about FUT and whether it may be the proper treatment. Contact our Santa Rosa office today to schedule a consultation.
FUT is typically best suited for men experiencing androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. It can also be used for women with Norwood or M-shaped patterned hair loss or a female experiencing a Ludwig-patterned thinning at the part line.
