Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)/strip and Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) – also known as Follicular Unit Extraction – are the two most common hair transplant methods. Both of these hair restoration methods are highly successful and have a high success rate. So, what’s the distinction between the two? In this article, Dr. Shankar Sawant who is one of the best Mumbai based hair transplant surgeon will explain both the process in detail for better understanding so that you can make the right decision.
What is the difference between FUT and FUE?
The key distinction between FUT and FUE hair transplants is that in FUT, a strip of donor skin is removed from which individual follicular units are extracted and transplanted to areas of hair loss, while in FUE, individual follicular units are excised directly from the scalp.
Healthy hair grafts are inserted through tiny incisions in the areas of the scalp affected by hair loss in both FUE and FUT hair transplant techniques. The surgeon must distribute and align the incisions with great care so that they fit in with the patient’s existing hair. To reimplant the grafts, the surgical team uses very fine forceps or implanter instruments, and must pay close attention to the storage and handling of the follicles to prevent damage and maximize graft survival.
The origins of these grafts is also similar in both techniques. They’re taken from the scalp’s ‘donor’ zones, where hair is genetically engineered to grow for the rest of one’s life.
Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)
A strip of hair-bearing skin is cut from the donor region of the scalp, normally the back of the head, in the FUT procedure. FUT is also known as “strip” surgery because of this.
The amount of hairs per square centimetre of donor scalp and how loose (or lax) the scalp skin is can affect the long-term donor hair supply. In general, as compared to FUE, the FUT treatment offers access to a greater lifetime donor hair yield.
The strip is then carefully divided into tiny grafts of individual follicular units consisting of one to four hairs under high-powered microscopes by the surgical team. Before they are transplanted, these grafts are held in a chilled tissue storage solution.
The donor region is stitched up and hidden by the surrounding hair in most instances. The stitches are removed after 10 to 14 days, and the donor region heals to form a longitudinal scar.
Follicular Unit Excision (FUE)
In FUE, the donor region of the scalp is shaved and individual follicular unit grafts are excised using a 0.8mm to 1mm ‘punch.’ The operation can be done manually or with the aid of a motorized surgical instrument.
There will be a number of tiny dot scars on the scalp after FUE, but they are so small that they are barely visible. Multiple FUE operations result in more dot scars accumulating, and the hair in the donor region eventually thins out. As a result, there is a small supply of donor hair, necessitating caution on the part of surgeons and patients to ensure that enough donor hair is available for a long-term plan.
Cost Of FUE & FUT Procedures
FUE is more costly than FUT due to the longer time required in surgery and the technically complex nature of the operation.
However, it is important not to select a treatment solely on the basis of cost. It’s important to choose a hair restoration technique that will give you a natural-looking result. A hair transplant can last the rest of your life, and trying to save money by choosing an unsuccessful treatment is often a waste of money.
A hair transplant in India will cost anywhere from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 170,000. Furthermore, the cost of hair transplantation is determined by a number of factors that you should be aware of such as:
Where do you reside:
It is an important factor to consider; for example, if you live in a highpriced city, the number of nearby surgeons who perform hair transplants will influence the cost of the procedure. For example, hair transplant in Mumbai will cost you less due to the availability of experienced surgeons & necessary equipments.
The kind of procedure you select:
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and Follicular unit extraction (FUE) are the two forms of hair transplantation (FUE). Furthermore, since each procedure has a different expense, you should discuss it with your surgeon.
The surgeon’s expertise:
Indeed, the cost of hair transplantation is decided by the surgeon’s skill and experience. It is true that if you want an experienced physician, he will charge you a little more than others.
The number of hair grafts required:
If you only need a few hair grafts, you will be charged less; however, if you need a large number of hair grafts, you will be charged more.
Pre- and post-care costs:
When estimating the cost of hair transplantation, it’s also important to remember the cost of recovery such as:
Medications that have been recommended for a quick recovery
Anti-inflammatory drugs that are prescribed to help you recover from surgery by reducing swelling.
Antibiotics that are used to minimize the risk of infection.