When we talk about hair transplant, we usually mean the two main players, the Coke and Pepsi of procedures, if you will. They are called Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) – both of which we perform right here at our Las Vegas hair transplant center.
Follicular Unit Excision
Let’s start with the FUE procedure. FUE is a type of hair restoration surgery that involves the extraction of individual hair follicles from a donor site, which is typically the back or sides of the head. The removed hair follicles are then implanted into the balding areas. Because special microsurgical tools are used for this procedure, only tiny puncture scars are left behind when performed by a skilled doctor. As this procedure involves individual hair follicles, it tends to be more time-consuming than others.
How long does it take to recover from an FUE hair transplant?
So, what makes Follicular Unit Excision so popular? Other than traditionally smaller scars when compared to other procedures, the short recovery period is a big draw for those battling alopecia. Because individual follicles are removed one at a time, which can be three or four hairs, there is little downtown for this procedure. In fact, the average recovery time is around one week, with patients experiencing little discomfort or post-surgery pain.
Is FUE permanent?
Yes, a Follicular Unit Excision is a permanent hair loss solution. There are a few issues to expect after a hair transplant that are all completely normal, like the shedding of transplanted hair or scabbing. Don’t worry, as these minor inconveniences will resolve themselves once your scalp has had ample time to heal.
Who are the best candidates for a Follicular Unit Excision?
Typically, the best candidates for a Follicular Unit Excision:
- Are in good health and can safely lay on their belly for hours during the procedure
- Have hair loss at the top of the head or near the front hairline
- Are those who have healthy donor sites, as it usually isn’t possible to use donor hair from someone else
How much does FUE cost?
Because of the time-consuming nature of this procedure and the need to harvest individual follicles, it’s often more costly than other hair transplant surgery options. To better assess the cost of an FUE and evaluate whether or not it’s a viable solution for your needs, schedule a consultation with our Las Vegas hair restoration center at your earliest convenience.
Follicular Unit Transfer
Also known as a “strip procedure,” a Follicular Unit Transfer is one in which a strip of hair is removed from a donor site rather than individual follicles. The removal site on the scalp is then closed with stitches, and the grafting process begins. In the grafting process, the removed strip of hair is separated into pieces; how many depends on the surgeon and the patient’s needs. One strip of hair could produce thousands of grafts, with each graft containing between one and four follicles.
Once the grafting process is complete, the surgeon creates small holes in the transplant site and carefully implants the grafts. Because of the extraction and transplant process, patients will have both a linear scar and small, circular ones, similar to what you’d see in an FUE procedure.
FUT recovery time
Because this type of hair restoration procedure requires removing a strip of hair from the scalp at once, it has a longer recovery time. It could take five weeks or longer to fully recover from this surgery, and recovery comes with many of the same common issues, like hair shedding and scabbing.
Are results permanent?
Just like FUE, FUT is considered a permanent solution to hair loss. Just be sure you carefully follow the after-care guidelines set forth by your medical team.
Is everyone a candidate for a Follicular Unit Transfer?
Those best suited for this type of hair loss solution are those who:
- Have good scalp laxity
- Do not have time constraints when it comes to recovery
- Prefer longer hairstyles to help hide any scarring
- Were dealing with significant hair loss
Just a reminder that the doctor will conduct a preoperative consultation to determine if you are a viable candidate and may discuss or perform the following:
- Hair loss history – Do you have an inflammatory condition like frontal fibrosing alopecia or active lichen planopilaris? Or its symptoms of fever, scaling, rash, erythema and pruritus? Have you experienced hair trauma from activities like excessive blow-drying or brushing, or scratching?
- Current medications – Some medicine has the potential to affect hair growth (propranolol, amphetamines, coumadin)
- Medical history – local infections, malnutrition or vitamin deficiency, autoimmune conditions, thyroid disease, etc. all affect your hair
- Physical exam of the hair loss area, including a hair pull or stress test
At a glance: FUE vs FUT
| FUE (Follicular Unit Excision) | FUT (Follicular Unit Transfer) | |
| Transplant Method | Individual follicles | Strip of hair |
| Recovery/Healing Time | Approximately 1 week | Up to 5 weeks |
| Scarring | Small dots at transplant site | Linear scar at donor site, small dots at transplant site |
| Cost | Typically more costly than FUT | Typically less costly than FUE |
| Harvestable Grafts | More than FUT | Less than FUE |
| Post-operative Pain | Less than FUT | More than FUE |
| Operative Time | More than FUT | Less than FUE |
| Transection Rate | Higher than FUT | Lower than FUE |
| Donor site laxity/density | Not usually a deterrent | More of a deterrent |
I keep hearing about body hair transplant. Is that an option?
Most of the hair on our bodies is called “vellus hair” and it can’t be used for hair restoration. However, there are certain areas on our bodies where the hair is sensitive to hormones and grows thicker, like on the beard, chest, armpits, and pubic area. This hair is suitable for hair transplant. But…
Between 30% and 85% of body hairs are in a resting phase called “telogen.” The active growth phase of body hair is much shorter than the hair on our scalp, so body hair tends to be shorter and thinner. Only beard hair grows thicker than scalp hair. Body hair also tends to be curly, and after a transplant, it will usually continue to curl as it grows longer. However, with grooming and straightening, body hair can be made to look more like scalp hair.
Body hair grows from shallower roots than scalp hair, and it emerges from the skin at a sharper angle. Body hair typically grows as single hairs, although sometimes follicular units with two or three hairs can be found on the beard or chest area and can be used for transplantation.
Hair transplants from body hair are not usually recommended to the general public because of lower satisfaction and the following limitations of body-to-scalp transplants:
- Higher transection rates vs scalp FUE (procedural damage to the bulb of the hair follicle)
- Body hairs are thinner (except beard) and need more grafts compared to scalp-to-scalp
- Body hairs do not completely match the native scalp hairs in hair cycles and growth characteristics (hair length, thickness, curl tendencies, etc.)
- Donor areas may take longer to heal from the body than from the scalp
- Higher degree of medical skill needed to transplant from the body than from the scalp
- Fewer follicles can be harvested per session from the body than from the scalp
This should give a deeper understanding of the options available to you if you are experiencing hair loss or are researching for someone else. Contact us for a consultation or for more information.
