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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 TO EXPECT WHEN UNDERGOING A FOLLICULAR UNIT HAIR TRANSPLANT (FUT)

If you’re looking for long-term hair transplant results in California, Orange County? There are two procedures which you should be focusing on. These hair transplant procedures are known as follicular unit extraction (FUE), and follicular unit transplant (FUT).

Both types of transplants have their benefits, and their shortcomings as well. Perhaps you’re leaning toward undergoing a follicular unit transplant (FUT)? Maybe you’re looking to obtain some more information on the procedure?

If so, you’re in the right place. Here is what you can expect when undergoing a follicular unit transplant (FUT) in Newport Beach, California.

The Benefits of Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)

There are quite a few benefits associated with the follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure. These benefits present themselves in the realms of the physical, the practical, the cosmetic, and the financial. There is NO linear scar at the back of the head, the discomfort is minimal, and recovery is quicker.

Compared to follicular unit extractions (FUE), follicular unit transplants (FUT) are a much more affordable solution. The reason for this? They require fewer grafting sessions than are required with follicular unit extractions.

In addition to this, they are often known to produce a higher yield (no. of surviving grafts) than you will get with follicular unit extractions. This is due to a lower transection rate with FUT.

The Downsides

While follicular unit hair transplants (FUT) are advantageous in a number of ways, they are not without their downsides. For most individuals, however, these downsides are not a major cause for concern.

Perhaps the biggest downside associated with these procedures is that they will leave a slight linear scar on your head which is sometimes noticeable through your hair if you shave too close to the scalp. Though this scar is not blatant, it can be a deal breaker for some individuals.

Arguably the only other downside associated with FUT is that it can cause some minor discomfort after it is performed. However, this discomfort will typically disappear within a day or two.

The Process of Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)

Before you decide to undergo a follicular unit hair transplant (FUT), you’d probably like to understand what the process actually entails. Let’s review the process below.

This procedure typically includes several grafting sessions, each of which will yield between 1,000 and 3,000 grafts in total. Generally, you won’t have to undergo any more than a total of 2 or 3 grafting sessions.

When you go in for a session, your hair transplant surgeon will put you under the effect of a local anesthesia. This will numb any pain you might feel, while allow you to stay awake during the procedure. After your pain has been numbed, your surgeon will take hair from large donor areas on the sides of your head. Then, he or she, along with the team, will transplant that hair to your head’s balding areas.

After the hair has been transplanted, it will be expected to fall out within a few weeks. Around four months later, it will grow back permanently, growing in by around six months with higher density in about a year.

The Recovery

The recovery associated with a follicular unit transplant (FUT) is very mild. While you might experience some minor discomfort, this discomfort will typically subside within 48 hours. To make your recovery a little more comfortable, you may choose to apply ice to the areas which have been affected.

After two or three days, you can generally go back to living your everyday life. Not only can you go to work or school within a few days.

Undergo a Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) in Newport Beach

What do you think? Interested in undergoing a follicular unit transplant (FUT) in Newport Beach, California? If so, we here at Maxim Hair Restoration have you covered.

Our team of surgeons has performed thousands of hair transplant procedures, helping a variety of patients to restore lost hair for the rest of their lives. We look forward to helping you as well.

Contact us to get started!

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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