The FUT is the Follicular Unit Transplantation procedure while the FUE is the Follicular Unit Extraction method of hair transplantation.
The newer technique for hair transplantation is the FUE, which is more commonly done today in hair loss clinics around the world. Both methods do involve removing hair follicles and grafting these into the patient’s scalp where it is needed, but the way the hair is harvested differs between the two methods.
In the FUT method, a section or strip of skin is cut out from the donor region of the scalp, and then follicles are removed from this to be prepared for the grafting stage.
In FUE, much smaller sections of the donor area are removed, and in fact, only a few follicles are cut out at a time. This means that several small scars are produced in the FUE when compared with the FUT procedure where one cut is made resulting in a relatively large visible scar.
FUE vs. FUT – other differences
Compared with the FUT the FUE is a procedure that takes longer because it is a slower process and in the end, more follicles will be taken.
The scars from FUE are small and they are round in shape, while those of the FUT are linear and are much more obvious. This can be a problem, especially for men who like wearing their hair very short.
The cost of the FUE is also generally higher than that of the FUT since it does take more time to complete. However, the results are often better when it comes to scars.
The other issue is the degree of discomfort and pain you feel with each procedure. Here, the FUT tends to be more painful and uncomfortable because they are removing a fairly large strip of the tissue rather than several small pieces.
The other disadvantage of the FUT, when compared with the FUE procedure, is the recovery time. If you have the FUT method of hair transplantation it can take anywhere from 7 to 14 days to recover, while the FUE recovery is faster.
If you have the FUE done you can recover in about 2 to 4 days, which is much quicker than the FUT. This means that for a person who cannot afford to be away from work for long, the FUE is a much better choice to make. You can return to work much faster if you have the FUE done.
With the FUT the risk of damaging individual hair follicles is greater, although this will depend on the skill and experience of the hair transplant surgeon. The FUE is preferred if your hair is not dense as it will be very difficult to cover the scar from the FUT procedure unless you have long and thick hair.
To read more about these two hair transplant methods you can check Hair Transplant Recovery for more information that can help you make the decision that is best for you and your particular situation.