FUT and FUE are the two main types of hair restoration surgery available for patients seeking a permanent solution to thinning hair or hair loss. A question that we are regularly asked is why FUT costs less than FUE transplants. We hear it all the time. There are several key differences in how each surgery works. The intricacies and craft of each surgery are different. Tools. Placement. Stitching. And of course, the number of grafts you’re looking to get. These details explain why FUT costs less than FUE transplants.
Ultimately both types of surgery have similar success rates and give clients very natural results. The main difference between these procedures lies in the method used to harvest the follicular grafts. And of course, the number of grafts you need to achieve proper coverage of the scalp.
In this article, we will learn about how we perform each of these procedures. Additionally, we’ll explore some of the advantages and drawbacks of each technique. This should help you decide which type of surgery is best suited to you and your hair restoration goals.
Why FUT Costs Less Than FUE
Hair transplantation surgery is performed by removing follicular grafts from the back of the head. That’s where the hair tends to be denser and less prone to thinning or balding. The area grafts come from is known as the donor area. These follicular grafts are removed from the donor area and transplanted into areas of the scalp that are experiencing thinning hair or balding, usually along the hair line that surrounds the face, or the top of the head. This depends on the severity of the hair loss. The area extracted grafts end up during the transplant is known as the recipient area.
A FUT is performed by removing a thin strip of the scalp tissue along with the hair follicles it contains. With FUT, a surgeon makes small incisions in order to remove the donor tissue. We sutured this area together after extraction of the tissue strip. From there the surgeon prepares the follicular grafts harvested for transplantation in the recipient area. This is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. In other words, the patient is awake during surgery. However, they go home after we finish up. There is no hospital stay.
FUT is Great for Patients with Long Hair
Some of the reasons that patients opt for FUT over FUE have to do with the fact that the donor area does not need to be shaved in order for the follicular grafts to be harvested. This means that if a patient wants to preserve the length of their hair they will be able to do so. Furthermore, if the patient has long hair, the sutured area where the follicular grafts were removed is able to be hidden by their natural hair. FUT costs less than FUE in part because the process of removing all the follicular grafts in a single strip is far less time-consuming for the surgeon than it is for them to harvest the grafts via FUE.
FUE is Performed By a Different Methodology
Instead of removing a single strip of the scalp to harvest the grafts, the follicular grafts are extracted individually. The surgeon uses a micropunch tool that allows them to extract the follicular grafts individually. In doing so the grafts are removed in a dispersed pattern throughout the donor area. One of the advantages of this is that there is no need for sutures. This makes the recovery process less uncomfortable for the patient.
Additionally, when performed by an expert surgeon, any scarring in the donor area is virtually invisible. Pit scarring can sometimes occur, which presents as tiny white bumps, but these are easily obscured from view once the hair grows out. FUE is also an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. This technique of harvesting follicular grafts with a micropunch tool requires a very precise hand on the part of the surgeon.
When it comes to FUE, the successful extraction of the follicular graft is reliant on the surgeon’s ability to loosen the attachment of the arrector muscle surrounding the follicular unit. They use a micropunch tool that is between 0.6-0.8 mm in order to accomplish this delicate task. This procedure is more time-consuming than FUT because each follicular unit needs to be pulled out slowly to prevent damage to the graft. An experienced surgeon will be able to increase their rate of transection when it comes to harvesting grafts, but that is a skill that is cultivated through years of experience.
Training is Key
The surgeon performing the FUE must have adequate training in order to perform the surgery correctly. In addition to this, they will need high-quality lighting to be able to have great visibility while performing the surgery. The surgeon may require more than one assistant to support them, using high-powered magnification tools in order to properly harvest the follicular grafts. Furthermore, the surgeon must understand how the angle of the hair changes when it is growing beneath the surface of the scalp compared to when it has emerged to the surface. The angle becomes more acute as the hair emerges from the surface of the scalp. Therefore, it is essential that the surgeon be able to anticipate this in order to avoid damaging precious follicular units.
This precision requires precise motions of the hand and excellent hand-eye coordination. Improper back and forth motions of the hand can cause unnecessary transection of the grafts, compromising the success of the FUE. Fortunately, at Best Hair Transplant, our team is led by the outstanding Doctor – Greg Powell MD.
Doctor Greg originally trained in Emergency Medicine and developed a passion for complex wound closures and reconstructive surgery. This interest led him to pursue further training in hair restoration techniques like FUT and FUE. He has trained in regenerative and stem cell therapy hair restoration procedures as well. His awards include Excellence in Emergency Medicine at UMMS as well as the Dean’s commendation for excellence in clinical Skills and the Art of Medicine.
FUT costs less than FUE But That Doesn’t Mean One is Better for You Than the Other
Something that many prospective patients aren’t aware of when trying to decide whether FUT or FUE is the best procedure for them, is the fact that the tightness of the scalp impacts how successful the extraction of the follicular grafts will be. For this reason, surgeons will use what is called a FOX test. In a FOX test, the surgeon removes around 100 grafts from the donor area in order to evaluate whether the units are able to be extracted in a complete form.
If the extraction process proves to be easy and straightforward then that patient is deemed to be a good candidate for FUE. However, if the extraction process proves difficult and the extracted grafts are incomplete, the surgeon will advise that FUT is the more appropriate technique to employ. Conversely, some patients do not have enough laxity of the scalp for a FUT or strip excision to be performed. If the skin on the scalp is too tight to remove a strip for harvesting grafts, then the patient will be advised to choose FUE.
Other considerations to keep in mind when considering whether one is a good candidate for FUE include how the patient prefers to wear their hair. A person who prefers to wear their hair very short will often choose FUE over FUT because they don’t want any linear scars on the back of their head. FUE is also better suited for patients who require a smaller number of grafts.
Patients with minimal hair loss, or who desire to enhance their widow’s peak, eyebrows, and facial hair are usually encouraged to choose FUE. Athletes who wish to resume their previous level of activity as soon as possible will also often opt for FUE as there is a shorter recovery period with less discomfort.
FUE Contraindications and the FOX test
Some reasons why an FUE would be contraindicated for a patient include an inadequate supply of follicular grafts. Receiving a grade of 4 or 5 on the FOX test is a sign that it will be difficult to extract the follicular grafts without transecting or damaging them. If this is the case, we advise the patient to choose FUT. A patient may also opt for FUT if they prefer to wear their hair long.
With FUE the entire donor area at the back of the head needs to be shaved. After all, the surgeon can’t begin harvesting grafts with the micropunch tool with long hairs in the way. If the patients do not want to sacrifice their existing hair, they may wish to choose FUE instead.
Because FUE is a more time-consuming procedure some patients choose FUT instead. That’s simply because they do not want to have to sit for long sessions that can last for many hours. Some patients require multiple sessions or surgeries. Keep that in mind as well. If the patient requires a large number of grafts, 2500 or more, we advise them to choose FUT over FUE.
Talk to Your Local LA Hair Surgeon to Find Out Which Procedure is Best For You
Ultimately both FUT and FUE are excellent techniques for surgical hair restoration that have both proven to have high success rates. The main reason why FUT costs less than FUE transplants has to do with how time-intensive FUE is by comparison. Other reasons FUT costs less than FUE include the fact that FUE procedures require greater amounts of patience and energy on the surgeon’s part. There is more training time required for surgeons who want to be proficient in performing FUE surgeries successfully. They may also require a larger team of assistants to help them perform FUE than they would with FUT.
These are some of the reasons why FUT costs less than FUE. We at Best Hair Transplant are proud to offer both services as they are both valuable and can completely transform a patient’s hair. To learn more about which procedure is most suitable for you, we recommend scheduling a complimentary consultation. We can conduct your consultation virtually or in person, depending on your preference. During your consultation, we will go over all the ins and outs of each type of surgery with you.
We will discuss your previous history of hair loss and make sure that there are no underlying health issues that could interfere with the success of your procedure. We provide our patients with the highest quality of service and results at an accessible price point.
SUFFERING FROM HAIR LOSS?
Best Hair Transplant is the best place to schedule your hair transplant in Los Angeles. We’ve helped both men and women regrow their lost hair. But don’t take our word for it. We suggest learning as much as possible about hair restoration. Do so prior to making a decision on how to address your hair loss. Not every procedure is right for everyone.
At Best Hair Transplant, we’re proud of our results and happy to provide hair restoration services. Additionally, we’re proud to make hair transplants affordable and help you save money on a variety of hair transplants.
To ensure your ease of mind, you can view our customer recommendations HERE. Furthermore, you can also see our Google reviews and Yelp reviews. We can’t wait to help you start restoring your lost hair.
YOUR HAIR RESTORATION SOLUTION
Best Hair Transplant
1970 S. Prospect Ave., Suite 2
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(213) 403-0455
