What is a FUT hair transplant?
Hair loss affects up to 85 percent of men and 40 percent of women.
FUT and other hair transplants are minimally invasive surgeries to help cover bald spots caused by hair loss.
Hair transplants date back to at least 1939 in Japan.
At first, the results usually looked unnatural and gave a plug-like appearance.
It wasn't until 1995 that surgeons first started transplanting individual hair follicles (also known as follicular units) that hair transplants produced natural-looking results.
There are two predominant types of hair transplantation in use today:
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
In FUT surgery, a surgeon cuts a strip of skin from the back or side of your head and extracts individual hair follicles.
These follicles are then inserted into the balding areas of your scalp.
The surgery works best to cover a receding hairline caused by male pattern baldness.
Keep reading to find out what to expect during a FUT hair transplant, who the best candidates are, and how FUT differs from FUE.
How does a FUT hair transplant work?
During FUT, a surgeon cuts a strip of skin from your scalp, usually from the back of your head.
The exact size of the strip depends on the number of follicles needed to cover bald spots.
The strip is usually no larger than 1 to 1,5 centimeters (0,4 to 0,6 inches) wide.
Once the individual follicles are removed from the strip, they are reinserted into your scalp.
Hair transplant operations take between 4 and 8 hours.
FUT surgery is generally faster than FUE surgery.
Most people stay awake during surgery with a local anesthesia that numbs their scalp.
This is what a FUT procedure looks like:
- The surgeon will redraw your hairline, mark the area of hair extraction and take photos for your medical record. You may have the option to take a sedative before surgery. Local anesthesia is applied to your scalp to numb it.
- The hair at the donor site, where your hair is removed, is trimmed to approximately two millimeters.
- The surgeon will cut out the strip of skin containing the hair follicles that will be used as a graft. You will remain awake during the operation.
- The individual hair follicles from the strip are removed and prepared for transplantation.
- The surgeon will close your scalp with stitches.
- The hair follicles are then inserted into the balding areas of your scalp in a pattern that looks natural.
- An antibiotic and bandage are applied to your scalp.
Most people see results from the surgery after 6 to 9 months. Some people have to wait a year to see results.
Who is suitable for a FUT hair transplant?
For both FUT and FUE transplants, you must have enough hair on your head to use as a graft.
Men with androgenic alopecia (commonly called male pattern baldness) are the best candidates for FUT.
In men, this condition often appears in the Norwood pattern or an M-shaped hairline with hair loss at the temples.
Women with this condition usually experience the Ludwig pattern, which causes hair loss along the section of hair or thinning at the top of the head.
If a medical condition such as thyroid disease or alopecia areata is causing your hair loss, an FUT is probably not an option.
The following conditions also make you a good candidate for a FUT hair transplant:
- Age: FUT is generally performed on people over the age of 25. Hair loss patterns are less predictable in younger people.
- Diagnosis: Men with the Norwood pattern of hair loss respond best to hair transplantation.
- Hair thickness: People with high hair follicle density generally get better coverage.
Area of baldness: FUT is most useful for treating hair loss in the front of the head. - Hair colour: People with hair color similar to their skin tone are generally better candidates because they have less color contrast.
FUT vs. FUE
FUT and FUE both involve transplanting individual hair follicles.
During FUT surgery, a surgeon cuts a strip of skin from the back or side of your scalp and then extracts the hair follicles.
With FUE surgery, your surgeon removes individual hair follicles directly from your scalp, rather than taking a strip of scalp first.
FUE is currently the most common operation. Some benefits of FUE are:
- Faster healing time
- Less pain after surgery
- Does not cause significant scarring
- Hair from other body parts can be used
- Can be used even if you have poor hair density
Some benefits of FUT are:
- May be a better option if you need to have a large number of hair follicles transplanted
- Shorter operating time
- Cheaper operation
FUT possible side effects and precautions
Complications after FUT are rare.
A large supply of blood to the head ensures that it heals quickly and helps prevent infections.
Less than one percent of people trusted source develop an infection from the surgery.
Some possible complications include:
- Unnatural looking hair
- Bumps or scars
- Inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis)
- Bleed
- Swelling
- Ache
- Numbness
- Cysts
scars
FUT surgery leaves a scar at the site of hair removal.
The scar will fade over time, but is permanent.
The size of the scar depends on the number of hair follicles used during the operation.
The scar is usually hidden by your hair, but it may be visible if you keep your hair short.
Shock hair loss
Donor Hair Effluvium is commonly referred to as shock hair loss.
It is common for transplanted hair to fall out within two months after surgery.
The hair almost always grows back within four months.
FUT costs
The average cost of FUT hair transplants can be between €4.000 and €10.000.
At some clinics the price may be even higher.
Some factors that can determine costs include:
- Amount of hair to be transplanted: Most clinics charge based on the number of hair follicles transplanted, but some clinics offer a fixed price.
- The surgeon: The price of surgery varies between clinics and the surgeon's experience.
- City: Clinics in some cities may charge more for FUT surgery.
- Travel expenses: If you need to travel for your surgery, you will also need to budget for travel expenses.
Your insurance is unlikely to cover FUT as it is usually considered a cosmetic procedure.
It can be covered in some cases if you have lost your hair due to burns or trauma.
Some clinics offer plans to pay for the surgery in several installments.
Summary
FUT is a method of removing hair follicles from the back or side of your scalp and using them to cover bald spots.
The surgery is generally considered safe and can produce a natural-looking result if performed correctly by a trained surgeon.
The surgery leaves a scar at the hair extraction site, so if you usually wear your hair short, FUE surgery may be a better option.
Questions?
Do you have more questions about the price, are you suitable for the FUT method, or is a FUE a better option for you?
Please contact us via our contact form., call us +31 6 83331555 or send us an WhatsApp.
Our specialists are ready to answer your questions objectively and honestly.