Undeniably, hair transplants have changed the way we approach hair restoration in recent years. Whether it’s scant eyebrows, spotty facial hair, or a thinning scalp, contemporary methods like hair transplants offer long-lasting, natural remedies catered to specific requirements. However, not all hair transplant techniques are the same. Thus, it’s essential to understand the various types of hair transplants, like FUE and FUT, to restore hair effectively.
Continue reading to learn more about different types of hair transplants.
What is a Hair Transplant?
Hair follicles from a dense donor area, typically the back or sides of the head, are surgically transferred to balding or thinning recipient areas during a hair transplant. The idea of donor dominance, which states that the transplanted hair will continue to be resistant to hormonal balding even in its new site, is the foundation of this long-term therapy. Although hair transplantation is a scientific procedure, it is also highly customized according to your desired result and pattern of hair loss.
Here are some types of hair transplants.
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)
Due to its minimally invasive nature and lack of a linear scar, Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, is currently the most widely used technique in the world. Using a tiny, specialized punch instrument that is usually between 0.7 and 1.0 mm in diameter, individual follicular units, groups of one to four hairs, are harvested one by one directly from the donor area.
Here’s what the FUE hair transplant procedure looks like:
- Anesthesia: The donor and recipient regions receive local anesthesia.
- Extraction: A micromotor or a manual punch is used to separate and remove individual grafts.
- Storage: While the recipient sites are ready, grafts are carefully stored in a solution.
- Implantation: The recipient area is cut with tiny slits, and the grafts are carefully inserted into these locations.
When hair is kept short, the tiny, pin-prick scars (dots) are almost undetectable. This hair transplant is ideal for patients who need grafts for their beard or eyebrows, or who have their hair very short and need fewer grafts.
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation)
FUE’s predecessor is Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), often known as the Strip Method or Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS). Using this technique, a little strip of tissue from the donor area that contains thousands of hair follicles is surgically removed.
Here’s what a FUT hair transplant procedure looks like:
- Strip Excision: The scalp is surgically excised from the rear of the head in a linear strip.
- Closure: A linear scar is left once the gap is shut.
- Dissection: To separate individual follicular units, highly qualified professionals carefully dissect the strip under powerful microscopes.
- Implantation: The grafts are inserted into tiny incisions in the recipient area, just like in FUE.
In this hair transplant. The donor area is left with a single, linear scar. If the haircut is shorter than Grade 4, this scar will be noticeable. It can frequently produce the most excellent grafts in a single session. This makes it ideal for patients who wear their hair longer, don’t mind having a linear scar, and need a lot of grafts.
Which Hair Transplant is Suitable For You?
An expert assesses your candidacy using a number of clinical parameters, including:
- Hair Loss Extent (Norwood Scale): The increased graft yield of FUT may be required for advanced hair loss (Norwood 5-7).
- Donor Hair Density and Laxity: Good scalp laxity is necessary for FUT. Patients who require non-scalp donor hair (beard/body) or who have tight scalps are better candidates for FUE.
- Lifestyle & Haircut Preference: To prevent noticeable scars, FUE or DHI is highly advised if you intend to wear your hair shorter than a clipper guard setting of 4.
- Budget: Since FUT is typically more economical for larger sessions, money frequently determines the choice.
Recovery Period
- Days 1-3: Swelling peaks on days 1-3. Around the grafts, scabs start to form.
- Days 4–7: The swelling goes down. Usually, patients can wash their hair lightly. The stitches are taken out (FUT).
- 2-8 weeks: The shedding phase, which lasts from weeks two to eight, is when transferred hair shafts usually fall out. As the follicles go into a resting period, this is typical.
- Months 3–6: Hair starts to grow again. Remember, at first, hair may be fine and thin.
- Months 9–12: Notable improvement in density and growth.
- Months 12–18: Mature, final outcomes are usually attained.
If you’re still unsure about the most suitable hair transplant for your hair restoration journey, book a consultation appointment at Hash Clinics to consult dermatologists and get expert advice!