Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
Hair transplant surgery has evolved significantly over the past 20 years. During the first several decades of its practice, patients could restore their hair, but the process was associated with a “doll hair” look. However, this is no longer the case. Significant advances in surgical technique and technology have made it possible to move the “plug” method to a “follicular unit” approach where small clusters of one to four hair follicles are transplanted.
Today, the superior process is used for all hair transplant surgeries. Plano, Texas, hair restoration surgeon Dr. Joseph Yaker performs the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), or “strip method,” as one surgical option for hair restoration. Check out our before and after photos of our FUT hair transplant here.
FUT is a procedure that removes a thin strip of skin with healthy hairs from the back and sides of the scalp where hair growth is permanent and not subject to balding. This strip is dissected into hundreds to thousands of individual follicular unit grafts using microscopic dissection. These individual grafts, typically containing 1 to 4 hairs, are then transplanted into tiny sites created by Dr. Yaker in areas where hair is desired.
The results from FUT appear natural and with great hair thickness. Thin linear scarring, however, on the back of the head does occur with this procedure and is something to consider when weighing the options for hair restoration.
BEST CANDIDATES
The ideal candidate for a FUT hair transplant is someone with balding or thinning hair but still has enough hair that can be used to complete the transplant. Follicular Unit Transplantation is recommended for both men and women with advanced hair loss looking for a permanent solution to restore their hair and have adequate donor hair to cover current and future areas of loss.
Those who wear short hair (less than 1/2 an inch) may not be suitable for this procedure because of the linear scar left on the scalp’s back. As a result, the SmartGraft™ FUE procedure may be an appropriate choice for you.
SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Dr. Yaker’s surgical facility welcomes FUT patients in the morning. Patients usually stay until late afternoon. The length of the procedure depends on how many grafts are needed for the desired result. Before treatment, patients receive a local anesthetic and oral sedative. Patients are advised to wear comfy clothes and can enjoy music, TV, or take a nap during the procedure.
The area where the donor’s hair is removed is located on the back of the scalp, where the most hair density arises and where the best probability for permanent growth is. Dr. Yaker removes the donor tissue in a single thin strip during surgery. Once removed, the strip is closed using sutures. After the skin is closed, the hair above the donor site incision will easily conceal it to hide it immediately following the procedure.
The scar will result in a thin line, usually 1-2 millimeters in width. The number of follicles that can be transplanted overall depends on your donor area and its characteristics, such as hair texture, follicle density, and scalp elasticity.
Once the strip has been removed, it is meticulously dissected into individual follicular units using a microscope to ensure each hair is precisely separated. These follicular grafts naturally occur in collections of 1-4 hair follicles. The recipient areas where the hair is to be transplanted are created by making tiny incisions. The positioning of these sites is carefully determined to ensure the ideal cosmetic outcome, taking into account the correct angle, orientation, depth, and density.
The patient’s desired look can be achieved in different ways. This is based on factors like how much hair is lost and the quality of the hair used.
Dr. Yaker applies platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to the transplanted and donor areas of the scalp, using it to bathe the hair grafts and inject growth factors from the patient’s blood. This personalized therapy is designed to optimize healing and stimulate hair growth.
AFTER SURGERY
After FUT surgery, patients are given a specific post-operative hair care plan to follow at home. This includes a customized post-operative kit with a follicle growth spray, shampoo, conditioner, and Aminoplex hair repair supplements. Following the procedure, small scabs will form on the transplanted sites but will go away within 7 to 10 days. Patients can return to normal activities within a few days but should avoid exercise for at least a week.
After 3-4 weeks, the transplanted grafts will shed and become dormant. This is normal because the follicles under the skin push out old hair to make room for new, strong hair growth. New hair will start to grow 3-4 months after the operation. Patients should come back to the office 10-12 days after the visit to have their sutures removed.
In seven months, most patients will have about 50% of new hair growing in, and by the end of nine months, typically 80% of the hair grafts start to grow. During this time, areas that showed thinning will become denser, and new hair will appear where the grafts were placed, blending in with your native hair. It generally takes a year or longer for all grafts to show full growth.
Regardless of your hair transplant procedure, FUT and FUE offer the same results. The only difference between the two procedures is how the donor’s hair is removed from the back of the scalp. Patients can regain the youthful look they’ve been missing with naturally appearing fuller, thicker hair.
EXPECTED COST
FUT allows for a much larger graft extraction in a single session and is more economical than FUE hair transplantation. FUE prices are the same price as the FUT procedure. Both FUT and FUE procedures range from $8 to $9 per graft, depending on the size of each case.
FUT FAQS
LONG-TERM SCARRING?
While FUT results in a linear scar, a skilled surgeon will minimize the scarring as much as possible. Using a trichophytic closure approach, once healed, the linear line will be faint (1-2 mm) and can be camouflaged as long as the hair is not shaved or very short.
NORMAL APPEARANCE POST-OP?
After FUT, most people take 5-7 days to recover. The transplanted area will have scabs and look pink for 7-10 days. If you have fair skin, the pinkness may last up to 2 weeks.
WILL RESULTS LAST?
Most people who have hair transplants can expect the new hair to stay for life. It’s crucial to understand that transplanted hair remains. Natural hair may continue to thin, potentially leading to baldness. As a result, more treatments may be needed to deal with continued hair loss.
SMARTGRAFT™ FUE OR FUT?
With so many innovative hair loss treatments available today, it can be challenging to find the best one. Patients seeking surgery have two very effective solutions with either FUT or FUE.
OVERCOME YOUR HAIR LOSS!
Follicular Unit Transplantation has produced outstanding outcomes for countless patients, allowing them to live confident and carefree lives with fuller heads of hair. If you have been considering getting a hair restoration surgery and are ready to take the next step, we invite you to call the office of Dallas, Texas, hair transplant surgeon Dr. Joseph Yaker and schedule your consultation today.
