FUE or FUT which is better?
You have the option of going for a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) or Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT). Let’s discuss both procedures to give you a better idea of what to choose.
The Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) Hair Transplant Method
The FUT hair transplant in Toronto involves using a scalpel to surgically excise a long linear hair-bearing strip of skin from the back part of the scalp. The strip of hair is dissected into single follicular units with the aid of a stereoscopic, high-powered microscope. They are then transplanted to the balding or recipient area.
Also known as the STRIP option, FUT is often less expensive but typically yields more grafts for each session. However, the con is that it usually leaves a linear scar at the excised site of the donor follicles.
The level of visibility of the scar from the FUT procedure is determined by several factors. These include the elasticity of your scalp skin, the level of experience of your doctor, and most importantly the quality of the technique used by the doctor.
If done properly in a competent clinic, the donor area incision is usually closed using a specialized surgical technique that hides and minimizes the surgical scar. Consider this factor carefully when choosing a clinic or doctor. Closing the suture or the FUT donor area incision area improperly can result in an unsightly scar. Over time, when the sutured area stretches, it will become noticeable to other people.
We use a proprietary FUT procedure for hair transplant. It involves using a special type of closure for the donor area that we pioneered in the country. This type of closure allows hair growth right through the scar, hiding the donor area well.
The scar will appear much smaller than it is, lessening visibility. Thus, patients can sport a short hairstyle without showing a scar.
When done by experienced and trained hands, the FUT method of hair transplant can produce a very soft, feathered, and totally natural-looking hairline, and high volumes of superior quality hair grafts to adequately fill in the larger bald areas of the scalp. However, when done improperly, FUT can leave an ugly scar on the donor site that will be quite difficult to conceal.
While the biggest factor that can differentiate a successful result from a poor one depends on the doctor’s skill and technique, it is also worth noting if the facility has access to a stereoscopic microscope that can help dissect hairline grafts into very fine individual follicular units. This will make it possible to produce a natural-looking and soft hairline, unlike the 2, 3, or 4 follicular graft units produced without the help of a stereoscopic microscope.
Because a stereoscopic microscope is quite expensive, many doctors don’t have access to the equipment. Sadly, their patients do not get the best possible results.
Before deciding on a clinic for your transplant, find out if they have a stereoscopic microscope. Ask to see it, if possible. The success of your final result depends on it.
The Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplant Method
The FUE hair transplant in Toronto is a technique of harvesting grafts where the surgeon takes hair follicles individually from the donor area.
When using the FUE method, hair from the donor site is harvested using punches to make tiny circular incisions to extract the hair grafts. When the extraction is done properly in a deliberate random fashion, the site of the circular extractions heal fast, and leave only very tiny and almost invisible white dots in the donor site. These can be easily concealed by the existing hair
The scars from the extraction will be difficult to notice. It will require a very close inspection or an experienced and trained eye to spot them.
The Follicular Unit Extraction technique is a lot more labour-intensive compared to FUT. The cost is also comparatively more expensive than a FUT hair transplant procedure. A clinic that offers FUE hair transplants usually charges around 30% to 40% higher than a clinic that offers FUT hair transplants.
Thus, it is a good idea to be cautious when choosing a clinic. After all, a higher price is not always an indication of better quality results. Likewise, your choice of whether to go with the FUE or FUT method does not have a major effect on the final results. When performed by an experienced and capable surgeon, the results will be outstanding – whether FUT or FUE.
FUE vs FUT Pros and Cons
Both hair transplant methods have their own sets of pros and cons. The main benefit of the FUE method, however, is the absence of long linear scars along with your scalp’s donor site, which is typically found at the backside of the head.
There are people who think that having nothing to worry about long scars is enough reason for them to opt for FUE over FUT. This may be particularly true for men who prefer sporting shaved or very closely cropped hair at the back of the head.
In contrast, other transplant patients may find FUE not to be worth the extra cost as they like a longer hairstyle that they can easily camouflage the linear scar from a FUT procedure. Of course, you have to make sure that the procedure is done well – with the FUT scar sutured correctly, and done by an experienced doctor in a reputable clinic.
Main question: FUE or FUT which is better?
Obviously, one of the main advantages of FUT hair transplants is the cost. As mentioned, they can be around 30% to 40% cheaper than FUE transplants.
The number of harvested hair grafts for transplant also varies between the two procedures. In general, a FUT hair transplant procedure yields more graft compared to FUE.
If there are large balding spots or hair loss in your scalp, a single FUT hair transplant session might be your most cost-effective option as it yields more grafts in a single session. Thus, you get a step closer to having a head full of hair for a smaller amount of money.
There Are Cases When an FUE Procedure Can Cost Less Than a FUT Hair Transplant
For smaller hair loss areas, the FUE hair transplant procedure might be a more cost-effective option. It may also be worth noting that the FUT method typically results in higher hair density in the target transplant area compared to the FUE method. This is because grafts harvested through FUT can be trimmed into smaller grafts with the help of a stereoscopic microscope.
We believe we helped you with the main question “fue or fut which is better?” but you’re more than welcome to contact our hair transplant clinic Toronto offices to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons to discuss the best option for you and come up with a perfect treatment solution. Also if you ever wondered what people say about our treatments, simply visit HTCT reviews page to see what our clients have to say.