FUE vs. FUT Hair Transplant: Which is Better?

As technologies and our understanding continues to evolve we develop new hair transplant techniques and one important change was a shift from FUT to FUE surgeries. FUE is the newer surgery and this is becoming the most popular choice with FUT taking a backseat.

But why is this so and what can we learn from the FUE vs FUT battle? If you need a hair transplant, it’s important to be informed on the different surgery types so I give you the low down on these two methods below, and share which one is the better choice.

 

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What is FUE Hair Transplant?

FUE stands for Follicular Unit Extraction and it is a newer type of hair transplant procedure compared to FUT. During the initial stage of the surgery, hairs are extracted by punching around the follicle to remove it completely. These follicles are then placed in a preserving solution until ready for implanting.

The hair follicles are then implanted into the areas of your scalp with hair loss. This is done with a surgical channel being opened in your scalp. This procedure results in small, barely noticeable circular scars, and has excellent success rates of over 90%.

Also Read: How Many Hair Grafts Do You Need For a FUE Hair Transplant?

Advantages of FUE Hair Transplant

• Fast recovery times: You can be back at work if you are not client or customer-facing within 3 days after an FUE transplant and this surgery offers some of the best recovery times possible.
• Barely noticeable scaring: Compared to FUT surgeries, the scarring from FUE procedures is barely noticeable and it just leaves some small circular white scars that can’t be seen when your hair has grown back.
• Less noticeable on the donor area: As the hair is usually taken from a wider area, once your hair has grown back then the donor area’s lack of hair is unnoticeable.

Disadvantages of FUE Hair Transplant

• Surgeon skills can affect success rates: If you choose to get a FUE hair transplant in Turkey with a low-skill surgeon, the success rates can drop as low as 60% for your procedure.
• Some scaring is unavoidable: Although the scaring is virtually undetectable compared to FUT, there is still some present and this is unavoidable.

What is FUT Hair Transplant?

FUT hair transplantation is the older option and it stands for follicular Unit Transplantation. FUT surgery first involves removing a strip of tissue from your scalp that has hair follicles attached.

From this strip, the individual hair follicles are then removed and finally inserted into your areas of hair loss. The main difference between FUE vs FUT is the tissue strip that is removed during the FUT process. This does leave a long white scar on the back of your head. Success rates are similarly good for FUT at over 90%, but recovery times are a little slower.

Advantages of FUT Hair Transplant

• Large graft quantity: The tissue strip used for harvesting during FUT means that more high-quality grafts can easily be harvested.
• Better donor area choice: The surgeon can typically select a suitable donor area more easily and choose the optimum space to give you the best results.

Disadvantages of FUT Hair Transplant

• Noticeable scarring if you have short hair: The tissue strip removal does leave a long thin scar on the back of your scalp. With short or shaven hair, this is noticeable.
• Longer recovery times: Due to the tissue removal, recovery times are longer as this area must heal properly. You have to wait for the tissue to heal and this can include more pain and discomfort than FUE procedures.

FUE vs. FUT: Which Should You Choose?

When looking at FUT vs FUT you have to consider what you want to achieve from your hair transplant and your hair loss condition. Your hair style is also important and how you typically wear your hair.

If you usually have shorter hair at the back of your scalp, is not the best option. The strip scar is noticeable if you have shaven hair or short hair and you would have to compromise and grow your hair longer to accommodate.

Furthermore, in the FUE vs FUT battle, FUE offers shorter recovery times, higher success rates, and a wider spread of donor hair from the back of your scalp to avoid overharvesting. If you prioritize your comfort and want to get back to work as quickly as possible then FUE is the superior choice.

FUE is the Preferred Method With Virtually Unnoticeable Scarring

FUT is by no means a dud type of hair transplant surgery but the newer, more versatile FUE method has far more benefits. The potentially visible strip scar from FUT can be a major drawback, especially if you have longer hair. Combine this with the faster recovery times for FUE and in the FUT vs FUT battle, it’s clear which is the winner.