What is FUT
FUT – or Follicular Unit Transplantation – is a hair transplantation procedure that is used around the world along with FUE. FUT may also be known as FUSS, MFUT, or Strip. Unlike FUE, FUT is a faster procedure. FUT involves the surgeon cutting a small piece of skin, taking hair from the area, and grafting it to the destination area. The cut is usually 1.5 cm wide. The cut heals easily after sutures are applied.
Advantages of FUT hair transplant
Higher number of grafts
The FUT process allows for a higher number of grafts to be transplanted in a single session, compared to an FUE procedure.
Easy harvesting process
The harvesting of grafts from the donor area is easier and more efficient when compared to the FUE procedure. This allows for a higher number of successful grafts to be harvested. A skilled surgeon is able to harvest 7,000 to 12,000 grafts from the permanent donor area through the FUT procedure, compared to 3,000 to 6,000 with the FUE method.
High survival rate
Research shows that the survival rate of follicles grafted through the FUT process is higher than with FUE and approaches 100%.
Low transection incidense rate
The incidence of transection for individual grafts is much lower with the FUT method, especially when modern tools and methods, such as the open donor technique and stereomicroscopic graft preparation, are used by an experienced surgeon. In the case of the FUT method, the rate of transection is 3%, meaning that only three grafts for every 100 grafts become transected. The rate of transection is several times higher for the FUE method.
Fast procedure
The FUT procedure allows well-practiced surgical teams to complete the process in 3 to 4 hours. FUE procedures might take much longer than this.
Disadvantages of FUE hair transplant
Longer postoperative recovery
The postoperative recovery period is slightly longer. The immediate sensation of numbness, slight pain, and the sensation of stretching in the nape area may last for a short period of time. Additionally, there will be some limitations on physical activity for 2 to 3 weeks in the postoperative period.
Minor scar
The FUT hair transplant method may also result in a small scar where the donor area was. Though, because of the sophistication of the method used in surgeries performed at Reading Cosmetic Clinic, the scar remains barely noticeable and is entirely invisible in cases where hair is not cut close to the head or shaved.
How does the FUT procedure work?
Step 1 – Hairline design
The first step in an FUT procedure involves designing the hairline. The patient and the doctor agree on the final look of the hairline. Once agreed upon, the doctor will outline the hairline on the patient’s head and prepare for the next step.
Step 2 – Shaving
The donor area will be shaved, to make the taking of the grafts easier. The FUT procedure does not require extensive shaving of the entire head. Instead, a small, local area in the shape of a strip will be shaved.
Step 3 – Preparing the recipient area
The doctor will then proceed to prepare the recipient area to receive the FUT grafts. This will be done with the use of small needles. The diameter varies from 0.8 mm to 1.1 mm. The needles also have depth limiters.
Step 4 – Preparing the grafts
Strips of hair are taken from the donor area. These strips are taken to the highly experienced team of assistants, who then separate individual grafts from these strips. This is done with the help of stereomicroscopes available to the team.
Step 5 – Transporting the grafts
The grafts are placed inside specially prepared petri dishes in order to ensure safe transportation to the patient. This keeps the grafts safe, clean and alive for as long as needed.
Step 6 – Implantation processA team of surgical assistants immediately begins implanting the grafts. This is done under the head surgeon’s close observation and his involvement.
Step 7 – Post-operative care
Once the implantation process is complete, the team will clean up the patient and make sure the final look is as intended.
Step 8 – Post-operative consultation
Once the operation is finished, the doctor will consult the patient about post-operative care. Most of the time it involves a recommendation to not do heavy physical activity for a week or so and to take pain killers if there is any pain. The doctor will also make sure that the patient is OK with the final look and do a 360-degree review of the final result.
Step 9 and 10 – Barely visible scarring immediately and 6 months after
The scarring on the back of the head, right after the operation, remains almost undetectable. This becomes even more so as time passes, making the FUT hair transplantation procedure undetectable to untrained or unlooking eyes.
When is FUT appropriate?
Selecting a hair transplantation procedure is highly individual to each case. FUT is designed for the treatment of male pattern baldness and is usually most effective at the front of the head. If the number of grafts that need to be done is large, as well as depending on a number of other needs of the client, the surgeon may opt for the FUT procedure. If you would like to find out what procedure might be more fitting for you, please contact us for a free online consultation.