FUE vs FUT Transplants
Hair transplants today are not the same as hair transplants thirty years ago. Today there are two main types used. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Whether you decide on FUE vs FUT, rest assured: these are not your great uncle’s hair transplants. And unless you make a poor choice in hair transplant clinics or hair transplant doctors, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about looking like you got the old-school hair plugs of yesteryear.
Both types of hair transplants cost thousands of dollars, with the exact cost depending on each individual person’s level of hair loss, desired area of hair restoration, and which type of surgery you choose. However, by making the smart choice to visit Best Hair Transplant in Redondo Beach, you can save big on both FUE and FUT hair transplants.
Manual and Robotic FUE vs FUT Transplants
Follicular unit transplantation (or FUE) involves shaving part of the donor area, making tiny incisions in the scalp, and removing hair follicles over a somewhat even spread from the thickest area of your existing hair. Now, you can choose a manual FUE or a robotic FUE. At Best Hair Transplant, we are all about hands-on work. This is because we believe our patients get better results with one-on-one attention from our skilled physicians.
Manual FUE transplants are performed by doctors by hand, using manual devices. However, robotic FUE transplants are performed by robotic devices. Pretty obvious right? These robots harvest the hair based on the amount and area the doctor inputs into the machine. Some surgical robotics are able to achieve a level of accuracy and precision superior to that of human hands.
However, the end results are not always as desirable as those done directly by a surgeon with years of experience. This is because skilled hair transplant surgeons have the know-how and real-world understanding of how to not only perform the actions involved but how to achieve the hair growth and pattern results that their patients desire. It’s a lot like painting a picture or writing a story. Robots can do it. And they’ll get better as time progresses. However, there is not much comparison at this point with a human who has trained for years and helped hundreds or thousands of patients.
FUE Transplants
If a patient is only experiencing partial balding or catches their hair loss progression early, FUE may be their ideal choice. Additionally, patients desiring an FUE transplant must have a smooth head. When comparing FUE vs FUT transplants, most patients can get up to two FUE transplants over a lifetime. FUT transplants may be done as many as three times. However, it’s best to consult a very knowledgeable physician about your hair loss so you can see how many procedures you may need to achieve the results you desire.
FUE transplants use localized anesthesia, are minimally invasive, and require no stitches. These procedures take roughly 8 hours, a few hours longer than FUT procedures. FUE graft survival rates range from 90 to 100%, only a bit less than FUT.
If you like to keep your hair short on the sides and back, you might consider FUE. Because there is no linear scarring, unless you shave your head, almost no one can tell the difference. FUE also has a shorter recovery time of 5-7 days, vs. FUT’s 10-12 day recovery. FUE also tends to cost more, which for the benefits, many people are willing to pay.
FUT Transplants
Follicular unit transplantation (or FUT), also known as follicular unit strip surgery, involves removing a long, thin strip of tissue from the scalp, from the area with the thickest existing hair. This procedure is best for people who have experienced long-term or extensive hair loss. Your hair restoration doctor should perform a “stretch test” to determine if you are a good candidate for a FUT transplant.
In FUT, the tissue strip is split into smaller grafts of 1-4 hairs for a natural look, which are then transplanted into the desired areas. This procedure does, however, leave behind a small, linear scar from the area the tissue was removed. Again, this can be made to be barely visible as long as your doctor has the skills necessary to pull it off. When it comes to FUE vs FUT procedures, you won’t have to let the scarring factor affect your decision too much as long as you choose a skilled surgeon to perform the procedure.
FUT recovery time typically takes 10-12 days. Some patients report more discomfort than others. However, pain medication will usually be prescribed. FUT boasts a higher graft survival rate than FUE. Additionally, because the protective tissue is kept intact, the grafts may appear thicker and healthier when comparing FUT vs FUE.
People with more substantial hair loss may benefit most from FUT because nearly twice as many grafts can be transplanted in a single procedure. For the same reason, people with minor hair loss may benefit most from an FUE transplant.
Most FUT options cost $7,000 and up, which is typically cheaper than an FUE transplant. But how much is that scar worth? Some physicians like the ones we have here at Best Hair Transplant specialize in FUT transplants. As a result, you can expect to have a nearly-invisible scar should you choose to have a FUT transplant. Additionally, you’ll save money on your transplant by choosing Best Hair Transplant for your hair restoration procedure.
FUE vs FUT – The Bottom Line
As someone afflicted with premature hair loss, I’ve considered both methods, and honestly, FUE seems like the obvious way to go. If I ever want to do any kind of fade cut or high-and-tight, I gotta go FUE. FUE leaves no noticeable scarring, and grants patients a speedier recovery with less post-op pain. And I could get a robot to do it perfectly.
The bottom line for most people considering FUE vs FUT is this: FUT patients claim slightly better hair quality, but FUE does not leave a noticeable scar on the back of your head. A secondary difference between FUE vs FUT is that FUE patients have reported much less pain than FUT patients after their hair transplant surgery. Finally, another important consideration is that FUE takes half as much recovery time as FUT procedures might.
If the goal is to achieve the thickest possible head of hair, FUT may be the way to go. However, if your hair is buzzed on the sides and back, people may ask about your scar should it becomes visible. It’s important to remember that it can be made to be barely visible as long as your surgeon is skilled at the FUT process. So make sure to choose wisely.
Ultimately, when it comes to FUE vs FUT, your surgeon will offer the best advice on which method is the right choice for your particular hair situation. Talk openly with one another so you can make the choices that best suit your needs. Doing so will help you achieve the best results you can hope for.
THE BEST HAIR TRANSPLANTS IN LA
Best Hair Transplant is the best place to schedule your hair transplant in Los Angeles. 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 in Redondo Beach, we pride ourselves on helping our patients choose the best procedure for them. Do your homework. Research your hair restoration doctor. After all, not all doctors are equal. For your benefit, ask to see “Before & After” photos.
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