Balding head? Thin hair? Then a hair transplant can offer a solution. Hair transplants have changed significantly in recent years. Previously, it was only possible to transport part of the scalp to a balding area. Nowadays it is also possible to transport only hair and no longer the surrounding tissues. Here we explain the difference between the modern FUE hair transplant and the better-known FUT hair transplant.
FUE hair transplant
FUE stands for Follicular Unit Extraction. With the FUE hair transplant, only hair roots (grafts) are moved, but the surrounding tissue is not affected. So no scalpels or sutures are involved. Ideal for people who would rather not have surgery. So you don’t have to worry about full anesthesia. After all, a local anesthetic is enough to make the treatment painless. The recovery is therefore extremely fast. After a few days you can resume your normal activities. For strenuous activities you will have to wait a week. There are no risks, complications or long-term scars.
However, there are some disadvantages associated with the FUE hair transplant. For example, a transplant can easily take ten hours. During that time, the surgeon can transport between 2000 and 2500 grafts. Another disadvantage of the FUE hair transplant is that the donor area must be shaved. After all, the micro instruments have to be slid over the hair and this is not possible with long hair. This is especially difficult if many grafts need to be transported, because the donor area (the place where the hair roots are removed) also becomes larger.
The FUE hair transplant is mainly suitable for people who want to keep their hair short (millimetered). People who have only a small amount of donor hair can also consider a FUE hair transplant. After all, it is also possible to use hair from other parts of the body (chest, back). Over time, the transported hair will take on the properties of normal hair and therefore grow faster.
FUT hair transplant
FUT stands for Follicular Unit Transplantation. Unlike the FUE hair transplant, an entire strip is moved here. This has the advantage that the operation is much faster. In 4 hours you can easily transport up to 3000 follicle units (compared to 600 to 700 follicle units with the FUE hair transplant). As a result, the price of a FUT hair transplant is four times higher than the FUE method.
The FUT hair transplant has the disadvantage that it is a real operation in which not only the hair roots but also the surrounding skin is moved. The patient also needs enough donor hair to undergo the FUT hair transplant.
It is especially suitable for people who want to wear their hair long (FUE is only suitable for close-cropped hair) and who do not want to walk around with a shaved or partially shaved head. There is only a small scar at the back of the head that is barely visible in most cases.
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