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FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION (FUT): AN IN-DEPTH LOOK

Everyone experiences daily hair loss, but with hundreds of thousands of hairs on your head, most people don’t notice when a few thousand go missing, and they grow back to replenish the loss. When you start to see a clump of hair in the drain or a bunch stuck in your brush, your hair loss might be more severe and require treatment. The professionals at MAXIM Hair Restoration offer a variety of non-surgical and surgical hair transplant procedures to treat hair loss. One of these procedures is called Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), also known as the Strip Method.

A Brief History of Hair Transplantation

Man Combing Hair - In Dept Look at FUT Hair Transplants

Dr. Norman Orentreich, a New York University (NYU) dermatologist, performed the first hair transplant in the U.S. in 1952. Hair transplantation consisted of taking large punch grafts, harvested from the back of the patient’s scalp, known as the donor area, and then transplanting those hairs to the thinning and balding areas where the patient was experiencing hair loss. This technique took dozens of circular hair tufts and plucked them down onto the hairline, giving an unnatural appearance.

Today’s methods for hair transplantation began in the early 1990s with Dr. Bobby Limmer being the first to perform Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Another modern technique was also developed after that, known as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) which was similar to Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Both now offer much more natural-looking results with the FUE method transplanting the grafts without a linear scar and without using sutures. 

What Is Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)?

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a type of hair transplant that uses a strip method. It’s a widely-used procedure with excellent retention and regrowth rates among patients, enabling hair transplant surgeons to perform MEGA Sessions upto 4,000 grafts. The density and survival rate of grafts with FUT is higher compared to FUE. At MAXIM Hair Restoration, a hair transplant doctor will remove a strip of hair from the patient’s donor site, usually located at the back of the head where hair is more full. 

Next, the strip of hair is dissected into individual hair grafts, each consisting of one to three hair follicles. These are known as micro grafts. When hair transplants originated, each graft consisted of five to 10 hair follicles known as plugs. Micro grafts allow for a more natural appearance of the hair and are far less obvious than plugs once were.

Finally, the hair transplant physician transplants the hair grafts to the area on the head where you’re experiencing baldness or thinning. The typical duration of a FUT procedure is about six hours and it is performed in an outpatient clinical setting. The client will receive local anesthesia, allowing them to take a nap, converse on the phone, or watch TV during the procedure. The team at MAXIM Hair Restoration can perform MEGA hair transplant sessions, where up to 4,000 grafts are transplanted at a time.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a proven surgical hair restoration technique that produces a higher yield, more grafts, and a higher survival rate than other methods.  You can also expect to experience a denser result with FUT, restoring not only your hair but also your confidence. 

What Are the Benefits of FUT?

The most significant benefit is the density at which the hair is restored and regrown using the FUT method. Harvesting an extended strip from the donor area provides thousands of individual hair grafts, which is more than any other hair restoration technique can do, allowing thousands to be transplanted in a single surgery. For patients experiencing significant hair loss, the ability to transplant thousands of grafts in one sitting can be very advantageous.

Who Is a Good Candidate for FUT?

Several factors will be considered when determining whether or not you’re a good candidate for Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Most candidates experience significant hair loss, making the possibility of transplanting 3,000 or more grafts in a single procedure appealing. Factors to be considered include:

  • Age. Patients between ages 25 and 65 are best suited for FUT. Hair loss in younger patients is less predictable, while older patients may have health concerns such as high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety and other issues. 
  • Gender. FUT is a viable option for males and females experiencing hair loss. Although commonly referred to as male pattern baldness, this type of hair loss can affect either gender. 
  • Hair loss pattern. FUT is best suited for hair loss that’s concentrated in specific areas on your head, including male pattern baldness, which leaves a horseshoe-shaped pattern of thinning or receding hair along the hairline.
  • Hairstyle. FUT is best for patients who wear their hair a little longer in the back to conceal the linear scar from the strip removal. If the patient wears a buzzed hairstyle, you risk having a visible scar. 
  • Hair color. If your hair color is similar to your skin tone, you’ll have less color contrast, making you a good candidate. 

If you’re considering hair transplantation and would like to know if FUT is an option for you, contact the team at MAXIM Hair Restoration. You’ll receive a free consultation where our professionals will discuss all of our hair restoration methods, the advantages and disadvantages, and whether or not you’re a good candidate for each procedure. We’re here to help you get back the hair and confidence you’ve been missing.

How Do You Prepare for a FUT Procedure?

Once you have been deemed a good candidate for FUT, you will undergo a pre-op evaluation to ensure that you’re in good health. Medical clearance may be required for patients over 65 years of age and those with health issues such as high blood pressure, anxiety, cardiac issues, and/or if they are on certain medications. It is highly recommended that you avoid alcohol, vitamin E, and aspirin for 48 hours prior to your procedure. Any of these may cause excessive bleeding during the FUT procedure. A good night’s sleep and rest are essential, and a light breakfast on the morning of your procedure is a good idea. Shower, wash, and dry your hair thoroughly and avoid adding any hair products to your hair, particularly synthetic and fragrant ones that may cause an allergic reaction. 

How Many Visits Does a FUT Procedure Require?

At MAXIM Hair Restoration, you typically come in first for a complimentary consultation to determine if FUT or FUE is the best hair transplant option for you. If you and the hair doctor mutually decide on the FUT method, our staff or doctor will go over any pre-op instructions at the same visit. You will then come back the day of your procedure and again for a post-op visit seven to 10 days after your FUT procedure.

We often invite patients back for a six- to 12-month visit as well to evaluate the outcome of your procedure. If, at any time, during your time with MAXIM, you experience any side effects or reactions or concerns, reach out to us immediately. 

Are There Any Side Effects to FUT Hair Transplants?

FUT complications are rare, with less than 1% of patients developing any type of infection, side effects, or complications after the surgery. The ample blood supply to the head speeds the healing process, making FUT a reasonably fast-healing procedure. Potential complications include the following, the vast majority of which are temporary and resolve over time:

  • Unnatural-looking hair. 
  • Scarring or bumps. 
  • Folliculitis, or the inflammation of hair follicles.
  • Swelling.
  • Bleeding.
  • Pain.
  • Cysts.
  • Numbness.

If you experience any of these side effects after your FUT procedure, reach out to the hair restoration specialist that performed your FUT for further instructions.

How Much Does FUT Cost?

On average, a follicular unit transplantation procedure costs between $6,000 and $10,000+, although prices among clinics will vary. Factors that determine the cost of your procedure include:

  • Amount of hair. Some clinics offer FUT at a fixed price, while others charge by the number of grafts. Remember that each graft consists of 1 to 3 hair follicles. In that case, the more hair you need to have transplanted, the higher the cost.
  • Surgeon. The surgeon’s experience may increase the price of your FUT procedure, but it also gives you the added benefit of all that experience. 
  • Who is Performing the Procedure? Clinics where the hair transplant doctor is fully involved in the procedure will charge more as it also ensures an improved and higher quality clinical outcome and result. 
  • Location. Which city the clinic is located in may affect the price of your FUT procedure. It might be worth it to research cities that you tend to visit or live in and those you’d be willing to travel to for FUT to determine which is the best price. Note that most medical tourism destinations do not offer FUT since it requires post-op recovery and care. 
  • Travel costs. Travel expenses should be considered if your procedure requires you to travel.

Typically, insurance doesn’t cover hair transplantation procedures, including FUT, because it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. If your hair loss is due to trauma or burns, you might be able to get your insurance to cover it.

MAXIM Hair Restoration Payment Options

Maxim Hair Restoration offers competitive hair transparent prices with no hidden costs or fees. You can pay for your FUT procedure or any of our other services via credit card, certified check, or cash. We also offer convenient financing options including zero-percent financing, to help you pay for your procedure. Zero percent financing is typically for one year and with some lenders up to two years. Finance companies include Care Credit, Green Sky Credit, Alphaeon, United Medical Credit, and Lending Club.

Contact the Team at MAXIM Hair Restoration Today

If you’ve been considering hair restoration services, it’s time to reach out to the knowledgeable team at MAXIM Hair Restoration today. You can start with a FREE consultation to discuss your options with one of our professionals, ask any questions you may have, and go over how the procedures work, including cost and recovery time. You can reach us at (802) 370-3227 or complete our convenient and secure online form to set up an appointment. With locations all across the United States including New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, Northern Virginia, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin (ATX), Sarasota, Tampa, Boca Raton, Puerto Rico and Turkey, Manila and Cebu in the Philippines, you’re sure to find a MAXIM Hair Restoration clinic near you. We have offices planned in Boston, Maryland, Charlotte, Chicago, Indianapolis (Indiana), Scottsdale (Arizona), Philadelphia, Orlando (Florida), Seattle (Washington), and other markets around the country.

WHAT IS A FUE(FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION) HAIR TRANSPLANT?

FUE – Follicular Unit Extraction  is a NO Stitch, NO Scar technique that takes individual grafts or follicular units from the back and sides of the head (donor area) and transplants them to the thinning and balding areas (recipient sites).

Advantage – The advantage of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique is that there is no horizontal scar on the back of the head and there are no sutures.  The recovery process is faster and there is minimal discomfort.  You can return to normal daily activity the next day.

Technique MAXIM Hair Transplant Physicians and Surgeons perform Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) under local anesthesia and you can watch television, speak with the MAXiM Hair Restoration staff or chat on the phone during your procedure.  You may also take a nap during your Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure.

Your MAXiM Hair Transplant Physician or Surgeon – will surgically take individual hair grafts from the back and sides of the head and transplant them to the thinning and balding areas.

Hair Line – The MAXiM Hair Transplant Physician or Surgeon will artfully prepare your hair line based on your facial structure, hair characteristics and your own expectations.  Once the hair line design is complete, the physician or surgeon will also prepare the recipient sites by making tiny incisions where the grafts can be implanted.

Goal – The MAXiM Hair Transplant Physician or Surgeon’s goal is to give you not just hair but style in order to make you look and feel great.

Grafts – The average FUE session is roughly 1,000 to 1,500 grafts whereas an average strip session can be over 2,000 grafts.  However, multiple Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedures can be performed on consecutive days.

Length – The FUE procedure takes longer than the conventional strip technique and can take up to eight hours depending upon the number of grafts being transplanted.  This is why Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is priced higher than strip hair transplants.

Staff – During your hair transplant, the MAXiM Hair Transplant Physician or Surgeon is generally assisted by a couple of medical and surgical assistants during the procedure.  They will keep you abreast of what’s going on during your procedure and get you something to eat or drink if you desire.

Pre-op – You will be given pre-op instructions for your procedure during your consultation and post-op instructions would be explained and given to you at the end of your procedure.  You will also be told what to expect following the procedure and when to return for your follow-up visit which is generally a week later. If you are an out of town patient, it would be a good idea to have a follow-up visit with your primary care physician.

Post-op – Most people take it easy following their procedure and take a day off from work.  You can cover your head with a cap.  Most strenuous activities are not permitted and you will have access to the MAXiM Hair Transplant Physician or Surgeon or staff in case you have any questions or concerns following your hair transplant.  Again, return to normal activities is rapid.

The transplanted hair generally falls off after a few weeks and will re-grow after four months.  You should begin to see results within six months of your FUE procedure. Fuller density is seen after nine months and can take up to a year.

FAQ – Your MAXiM Hair Transplant Physician or Surgeon along with our knowledgeable staff will explain all of this to you and address your questions and concerns during your complimentary consultation.

Next Step Contact Us For More Information or submit the Contact Form on this page to request your complimentary hair restoration consult by phone, Skype or with a MAXiM hair transplant physician or surgeon near you.

You can also Email your pics to MAXiM Hair Restoration  to find out if you are a good candidate for an ultra-natural MAXiM hair transplant or to obtain an estimate for your procedure and the approximate number of grafts that would be required to give you a great result.

FUE vs FUT Hair Transplant: The Pros and Cons of each

FUE vs FUT, what is better hair transplant for your hair loss, The FUT procedure allows for the physician to do many more grafts at a single time. The FUE procedure is more time consuming for harvesting follicles.

When it comes to hair restoration techniques, there are two procedures which reign supreme. These procedures are the hair transplants known as follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplant (FUT).

FUE vs FUT Hair Transplant

Perhaps you’re thinking about undergoing one of these two procedures, but aren’t sure of which one to choose? If so, you’re in the right place. We’re going to compare the pros and cons of both so that you can make an informed decision.

FUE: Pros

fue

Very Little Scarring

Because FUE involves taking only small hair samples, it results in very little linear scarring. In most cases, any linear scarring which does exist after the procedure will be completely covered by hair. This differs from FUT, which generally leaves a faint linear scar at the back of the head.

Very Little Discomfort

While neither FUE or FUT result in any remarkable amount of discomfort, FUE typically results in less discomfort than does FUT. This is because FUT involves taking a strip from the back of the head whereas in FUE, the surgeon extracts one graft at a time.

Limited Recovery

In the vast majority of cases, FUE patients can go back to living their everyday lives almost as soon as their grafting sessions have ended. While patients might experience some slight discomfort, this discomfort shouldn’t keep them off schedule for any more than a day or two.

FUE: Cons

Relatively Expensive

Because FUE takes longer and requires more hair transplant sessions than does FUT, it’s generally more expensive than FUT.

Fairly Time-Consuming

Because FUE requires a number of different grafting sessions in order to be carried out appropriately, it can be fairly time-consuming. However, after a single session has ended, you’re essentially free to do whatever you’d like to do.

FUT: Pros

Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)

Relatively Inexpensive

Because FUT does not necessitate as many hair grafting sessions as FUE, it is typically less expensive. Whereas FUE usually allows for up to 2,000 to 2,500 grafts per session, FUT usually allows for around 3,000 grafts per session up to 4,000.

Takes Very Little Time

Again, because FUT allows for more grafts per session than does FUE, fewer sessions are required. The result of this? It takes a lot less time to be carried out than it does for FUE.

Fast Recovery

Typically, after one of your FUT sessions has ended, you will be fully recovered within a couple of days. After these days have passed, you are free to go to work, school, and do everything else that you would normally do.

FUT: Cons

Produces a Semi-noticeable Scar

One of the cons of FUT is that it will produce a linear scar which can sometimes be noticeable through hair, particularly if the head is closely shaved. This differs from FUE, which produces only small scars that are much more difficult to see through hair.

Includes Some Potential Discomfort

While FUT is a very mild and minor surgical procedure, there is a chance that it could produce some slight discomfort. However, this discomfort is typically very easy to deal with, and it will likely subside within a few days of the procedure being carried out.

Undergo a Hair Transplant: FUE vs FUT

Ready to take the next step choose between FUE vs FUT hair tranplantation? Thinking about undergoing a hair transplant at one of MAXIM Hair Restoration’s national locations? If so, we have you covered!

Our team of seasoned surgeons has performed thousands and thousands of hair transplant procedures, helping both men and women to look and feel their best. We would be honored to help you as well.

Contact us today for a free consultation!

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