Which is the best hair transplant method? Why?

Two main techniques are used to obtain follicles for transplantation :

1. follicular unit transplantation (FUT) - The surgeon will use a scalpel to cut out a strip of scalp skin from the back of the head. The incision is typically several inches long. This is then closed with stitches.

The surgeon next separates the removed portion of scalp into small sections using a magnifying lens and sharp surgical knife. When implanted, these sections will help achieve natural-looking hair growth.

In FUT the harvesting of the strip and the stitching of the area will require just about 45 minutes after which you will usually be sent to rest for a while till the team will harvest the hair grafts from the strips.

2. follicular unit extraction (FUE) - the hair follicles are cut out directly from the back of the head through hundreds to thousands of tiny punch incisions.

The surgeon makes tiny holes with a blade or needle in the area of your scalp that’s receiving the hair transplant. They gently place hairs in these holes.

During one treatment session, a surgeon may transplant hundreds or even thousands of hairs. After, the graft, gauze, or bandages will cover your scalp for a few days.

Let’s compare these techniques properly so that you can make the decision which one is the best for you!

Advantages of FUE :

* Minimal recovery time-JUST ONE DAY

* Can sport a short hair style

* Tiny dot like scars over donor areas

* No requirement of stitches

* No need for repeat visit for stitch removal

* Shorter healing time

Advantages of FUT :

* Cheaper

* Shorter operative time

* Larger sessions are easier

* A repeat FUT/FUE can be done in future

* Dissection occurs under microscopy

* Can be followed by FUE if needed but not vice versa

Disadvantages of FUE :

* More expensive

* Long operative period and hence tiring for the patient.

* Number of grafts extracted per day is limited therefore in extensive baldness may require multiple sessions

* Once FUE is done, a second FUE/FUT cannot be done in future

* Shaving / Trimming of the donor -required

* Difficult for larger areas

Disadvantages of FUT :

* Stitches required

* May leave a scar

* Longer healing time

* More discomfort

In both procedures, it is important to transplant high-quality follicular unit grafts to achieve the maximum cosmetic benefit from the hair restoration. High-quality grafts are ones that are obtained from the most permanent part of the donor area, are undamaged and contain a protective layer of tissue around the follicles. The protective dermis reduces mechanical injury during insertion and from drying when the grafts are outside the body.

There are several important differences when it comes to the scarring left after FUT and FUE procedures in the donor area.

In FUT, the strip is taken from the mid-portion of the donor area and the wound edges are then sewn or stapled closed leaving a single, generally fine scar. While this can become visible if someone wears their hair very short, it is usually covered by hair and hidden from sight. If someone who had a prior FUT hair transplant has another strip procedure, the initial scar is removed when the subsequent donor strip is excised. As a result, the patient will only be left with one linear scar regardless of how many FUT procedures they have.

In FUE, the tiny, white dot scars that remain after the procedure can be difficult to see even with short hair. This makes FUE popular with people who crop their hair or have a very short hairstyle. If, however, the patient seeks a second or third FUE procedure, the dot scars from subsequent procedures are added to those from the initial procedure. This scarring can distort adjacent follicular units and make subsequent sessions more difficult. This is an additional factor that limits the total available donor supply in FUE.

Dr. Ankit Gupta - Director of Panache Aesthetics (MBBS, MS, M.Ch.) is one of the Best Hair Transplant Surgeon in Delhi since many years now.

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