Turning bald is an incrementally growing concern among the youth, and some older individuals, in most societies. Doubtless, that could drive anyone crazy; couldn’t it?! Although it is not the same in every country, one could safely observe that some, if not all, people in each society deem baldness as entirely embarrassing, or to put it more accurately, a total nightmare.
However, it isn’t yet the end of the world: there are certain procedures that can effectively take care of your condition. Undergoing a hair transplant procedure is a bold (not bald!) move which requires much consideration prior to deciding on a specific treatment.
The follicular units obtained by either method are the basic building blocks of follicular unit transplantation (FUT). Follicular unit extraction was first described in 1988 by Masumi Inaba in Japan, who introduced the use of a 1-mm needle for extracting follicular units. since that time
the procedures of hair transplantation have come a long way to make you look younger, more attractive and endow you with a more vibrant social life.
By the passage of time, the inexorable process of the advancement of the technologies involved in hair transplantation reached new frontiers of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
As there are two of quite common methods available in today’s hair transplant community, people enjoy the liberty of choosing whichever method that best suits their needs and the specificities of their circumstances.In this article, we are going to discuss the two main hair transplant methods and the pros and cons of each one. Read on to get a full understanding of the two procedures and learn which one is best for you.
FUT (follicular unit transfer)
Nearly a decade ago, skin patches were obtained from the occipital region, manually separating it to grafts and then transferring them to the recipient area. This method is called follicular unit transfer (FUT), although it is not the most proper definition. In this method, a linear scar remained at the occipital region , healing duration was prolonged, and the patients felt pain, particularly while lying on the side of the donor area . Moreover, with the FUT method, approximately 1000–1500 graft transplantations were able to be done at one session, which is insufficient for satisfactory outcomes in most patients. The main disadvantages of the FUT method were eliminated with the wide application of the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method within the past one decade.
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) in Iran
FUE is a more modern technique in which a part of the donor area is shaved and then strands of hair are individually cut out by making circular incisions around them. Since a doctor has to extract each graft individually and directly from the scalp, the FUE procedure is very time-consuming. The extracted grafts are then inserted into holes created in the bald area just like in FUT.
With the wide application of the micromotor method, the number of transplanted grafts in 1 hour has increased up to 5000–6000. The micromotor method has made the application of hair transplantation quite easy for the operators. The ideal age is 30–35 years for hair transplantation. Nevertheless, in patients with hair loss at younger ages, hair concentrating transplantation procedures can be applied before the development of complete baldness. We consider that waiting for total hair loss is not absolutely essential, since individuals do not desire several radical changes to their image. In young men, frontal hair transplantation, particularly in the range of 20–25 years of age, is quite important for the patient’s psychology. If the remaining hair is lost in the following years, transplantations can be applied in second and third sessions. It is not essential to wait for the advanced ages under these circumstances. It would also be useful to mention the surgical technique.
an illustration of FUE hair transplant method
Micromotor for hair transplant.
When it comes to having a hair transplant, the first decision a patient has to make is whether they want FUT or FUE. Whilst this may seem somewhat of a minefield at first, once you get to the know the full details your decision will become easier and clearer. This is also one of the main factors a consultant will discuss with you during a consultation to see what is right for you and your goals. So knowing the pros and cons of each will help.
F
UT, also known as ‘strip’ method stands for Follicular Unit Transplantation .
The technique used in FUT is that an area of tissue is taken from the head – usually at the back and sides – and then the individual hairs (aka follicular units) are removed from the strip.
The technique used in FUE, which stands for Follicular Unit Extraction, is where each individual hair is taken from the head one at a time (aka harvested) by using very small incisions or a punch device.
FUE method is usually carried out over a larger area of the head (aka donor area), whereas FUT is sometimes limited to just one area (strip) at the back.
When it comes to hair transplants, there is no right or wrong answer, but simply different techniques that can achieve the same result using a different method.
However, choosing which method to use can be tricky on your own.
That is why at the Manchester Private Hospital, we always give you all the details you need including the benefits of each method in order to make your decision easier.
Benefits of FUT
The primary benefit of FUT is that it usually gives a high amount of hair folicles to harvest and work with for the transplant.
This can be particularly beneficial if the patient wants fullness and coverage of a large surface area.
The precise transplantation technique in FUT gives the surgeon more choice from the donor area with a better chance that more preservation of the follicle and connective tissue.
The primary benefit of FUE is that it does not leave scarring at the donor site. This also means quicker time to heal post-surgery.
Also, if the patients preference is to have shorter hair, particularly at the back of the head, then FUE is preferred as FUT usually requires longer hair to cover up scars at the donor area.
During a consultation, patients are always assessed to check their scalp and looseness. Sometimes patients are not able to have FUT hair transplants if the surgeon feels the scalp will not heal as it should due to the strip surgery.
FUT and FUE combined
If you are considering a hair transplant to cure balding or thinning on the head, it is possible to have both procedures.
If a patient chooses to have FUT but during the procedure the scalp becomes too tight, it is possible to also undergo FUE. A surgeon will usually decided whether it can be performed at the same time or at another time in the future.
Sometimes with either procedure the amount of hairs is not enough. Therefore, switching to the other is an option to maximise coverage.
Grafts
A graft is the name given to the hair that is extracted from the donor site. The quality of the graft is very important in the success of the transplant both during and after the surgery. It can be the difference to more coverage of the head and recovery post-surgery.FUT can sometimes produce better grafts than FUE because hair folicles are carefully dissected from the donor strip, potentially leaving more of the connective tissue intact. However, this can rely on the quality and skills of the surgeon performing the transplant as they need to be highly trained in precise dissection under a microscope.With FUE method, there are risks involved with extracting the hair follicle in the sense that connective tissue may be cut or damaged, especially as the lower part of the follicle – under the skin – and the direction it goes can only be estimated. In addition, it is very important that each hair is extracted deep enough to gather all of the follicle and connective tissue. Otherwise some of the follicle may not be transplanted. The result of this is lower quality hair that may not grow as they should or be susceptible to damage easily.In 2018, technology has advanced so much so that there are now robots in use for FUE transplants. These can sometimes be more precise and higher quality compared to manually extracting each follicle.
Another comparison to note between FUT and FUE is that hair loss is more likely to (re)occur in the future with FUE compared with FUT.
The reason behind this is that because hairs in FUT are taken in a strip from a strong area of the head (the back) that is less likely to bald, the transplant has the potential to last longer. However, with FUE, because the hairs are taken from a larger region of the head, some may susceptible to hair loss and be poorer quality if not taken from a more permanent area.
It is worth noting however, that because FUE wounds are more widespread, although they heal quicker than FUT, each wound heals with a mini-scar and may make future hair transplants less possible / less successful.
Comparing the two methods is sometimes complex and there are many factors to consider. What might be right for one patient may not be right for you. It also depends on how many grafts are needed based on what you want to achieve.If you’re considering a hair transplant, why not contact us for a friendly chat about FUT and FUE to see which method would suit your needs best? We are able to arrange a consultation with you to discuss your needs and advise you on the best way to proceed. Consultations are free from pressure and you can walk away at any time should you change your mind.
Advantages and disadvantages of FUT
Advantages of FUT are:
Advantages and disadvantages of FUE and FIT
FUE and FIT have the following advantages:
The disadvantages of FUE and FIT are:
Most people want to have a full head of strong and healthy hair. Due to some factors like age and heredity, however, many individuals have to deal with problems associated with hair loss. To get the desired look, such people have to rely on proven methods of reversing baldness or thinning of hair such as FUE (Follicular Unit Excision and Extraction) hair restoration.
FUE hair restoration procedure is safe, it is effective, and it delivers natural-looking results. But the procedure does not suit everyone who has experienced hair loss.
Here are just some of the factors that can help determine the ideal candidates for FUE hair restoration:
Age and Health
In most cases, hair loss affects individuals between 35 and 65 years old. However, there are those whose hair starts thinning at a younger age. Overall, a suitable candidate for FUE hair restoration is one who is over 25 years of age. At this age, hair thinning or loss has stabilized and professionals can establish its pattern. Your general health is another aspect that determines your eligibility for this procedure. You have to be of good health to qualify.
Hair Density in the Donor Area
FUE hair restoration procedure involves extracting follicular units from your donor area on the back of your head and transplanting that donor hair to areas where thinning has occurred. As such, you must have enough available donor hair for the procedure to be successful. If your baldness has gone too far, then you may not be eligible for the FUE procedure. Furthermore, the quality, natural dynamics of your hair and the health your donor hair helps determine your eligibility for this surgical procedure. FUE procedures are ideal for patients who desire to maintain short or shaved hairstyles.
The Cause of Baldness
If your cause of baldness is a condition that prevents natural hair growth or it results from trauma such as scarring or burns, then you could be a suitable candidate for FUE hair restoration. You can talk to our expert hair doctors to establish the cause of your hair loss and determine if you qualify for the procedure. You might also qualify for FUE hair transplantation if medically proven hair thinning or loss treatments don’t work for you.
Those who have already had a previous procedure:
In case a patient has already had one round of hair transplant, most probably an FUT which has left them with considerable scars around their scalp, he will be advised to undergo the other kind as a second round of transplant.
It is imaginable how you would feel if you had to receive the treatment another time and were concerned about more scars and visible lines around the treated area; that certainly would not be a pretty sight!
1. People with long hair: People who aren’t into short hair and always wear their hair long are good candidates for FUT as the scar left on the head in this method can be concealed under the hair.
2. Patients with large baldness: People who have lost a lot of hairs and need to receive a large number of grafts are best candidates for FUT, in which some 4000 to 5000 grafts can be transplanted in a single procedure. For these patients, FUE is not as much effective as FUT because the number of grafts that can be harvested in one session is limited because of the time-consuming process.
Having said that, other personal factors might be important in different persons so you need to consult with your doctor to be able to choose the method that best suits your needs and expectations.
It is an almost undeniable fact that Iranians are a little bit too much into their looks! And that’s not necessarily a bad thing;
Along with the global community, Iranians too seem to be in favor of technological advancements in medical fields and hair transplant is no exception to the rule. The good news is that Iran is among the countries whose cities are ripe with leading hospitals, beauty clinics, and professional dermatology centers in the field of hair transplantation.
Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz and Kish Island are only a few of the destinations with advanced, high-tech facilities offering such services to patients both from the country and around the world. Hundreds, even thousands of hair transplant center and clinics, both private and state-owned, are at your service to give you the most effective and affordable hair restoration treatments.
Iranian hair transplant surgeons make use of advanced NeoGraft devices to harvest hair grafts in a delicate way without damaging the root of the hairs. They offer both FUT and FUE (or FIT) services depending on patients’ preferences and desired results. They even combine FUT and FIT to perform a hair transplant that delivers the most optimal result.
Ariana Medicare Tour services -organized hair transplant procedures are performed in the most modern and up-to-date clinics that enjoy experienced hair transplant specialists and professional staff. To learn more about hair transplant methods and get a free quote for each, contact us now and get a free consultation.
