FUT Hair Transplantation

Follicular Unit Transplantation, also known as the FUT word, which is made up of the initials of the technique, has lost its popularity with the progress of technology in hair transplantation operations. However, it is still applied in some exceptional cases.

There are two methods for hair transplant operations currently in use. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method and FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) method. These methods differ in how hair follicles are extracted from the donor area.

The steps other than this issue are almost the same. In the FUT method, hair follicles are extracted by removing a strip of the scalp in about 15-20 cm to 2 cm from the back of the head between two ears. Then, hair follicles are harvested from the strip and individually transplanted to the recipient areas. The area where the strip of the scalp was removed is closed with stitches.

Fut Hair Transplant

How Is FUT Hair Transplant Performed?

The FUT hair transplant results in an incision scar of about 15-20 centimeters in size. FUT hair transplant recovery time is long since an incision is performed on the scalp. Depending on the strain, wound healing rate, and surgical procedure quality, this scar may expand, and there may be hair loss around the scar.

The only advantage of FUT hair transplant – which is not a significant advantage – is that the scalp is removed in a strip by an incision, so it is unnecessary to shave this area. Therefore, this method is preferred by women or men with long hair. In a FUE hair transplant, the operation can be several hours longer.

Advantages of FUT hair transplant

  • Operation is completed in a shorter time.
  • Hair shaving is not required for the operation.
  • It is a more suitable method for graft removal for patients with curly hair, especially in African hair types. However, the incision scar on the donor might be remarkable in these patients with short hair.

Disadvantages of FUT hair transplant

A maximum of 2,000 grafts can be extracted. But, that number can range from 4500 to 5000 in FUE.

A scar remains on the donor area after the operation. A plastic surgeon must perform surgical procedures and sutures.

Since the area of the removed scalp is damaged, numbness might occur after the operation.

More bleeding occurs during the operation compared to the FUE method.

The donor area is more painful after the operation.

Scar revision may be necessary for those undergoing FUT hair transplant surgery. The scar area on the scalp can be thinned again by a surgical procedure; hair follicles can be transplanted into the scar area. Sometimes, scars might be concealed only by micro-pigmentation, also called semi-permanent make-up or dermal pigmentation.