Hair loss has been a major problem faced by men and women alike since time immemorial. It is since 1952 that the first hair transplant was practiced on humans through the plug technique. Over the ages, hair transplantation has undergone many changes and what we see today is the most advanced and less painful procedure with high success rates.
The evolution of hair transplantation is now available as two particular hair transplantation methods – Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Excision (FUE). Hair loss is factored in multiple reasons in both males and females. Oral medications, treatments, and products offer limited benefits in these cases. However baldness is generally caused when there is no hair growth on the scalp, and FUE/FUT treatment shows results of new hair growth in patients effectively.
Table of Contents:
Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:
- What is a Hair Transplant and Its types?
- What does the Hair transplant procedure look like?
- What is the Difference Between FUE and FUT Hair Transplants?
- Which Procedure is Ideal for you?
- Can I Have Both FUT and FUE?
- Cost of FUE and FUT hair transplant in Delhi NCR?
- What are the Possible risks associated with FUT and FUE hair transplants?
What is a Hair Transplant and Its types?
A hair transplant is a surgical treatment, adopting a minimally invasive and strip technique, and hair from a donor area is transplanted to the recipient area on the scalp. The donor area is chosen by checking for a portion that has an abundance of hair. Hair transplants are performed by a plastic or derma surgeon, who injects local anesthesia and then proceeds with the removal and attachment of a strip of a hair follicle or skin to the concerned area.
At present, two of the main hair transplant methods effective in minimizing hair loss or baldness problems are FUE and FUT.
According to the hair concerns of a patient, they can go for either of the two treatments. With Follicular Unit Transplant, the surgeon cuts out a strip of skin (usually from the backside of the head where the growth is surplus) and stitches it to the recipient site.
Although it is not a minimally invasive surgical procedure, the results are permanent. The FUE transplant, on the other hand, does not have much of an incision and dramatically restores hair follicles to the affected area.
What does the Hair transplant procedure look like?
The FUT surgery is a strip extraction and transplanting method. Patients are given local anesthesia to numb the region, and then the derma surgeon begins extracting patches of skin, including hair follicles from the donor area. Generally, the strip extracted measures 1-1.5 cm in width and doesn’t exceed that.
These patches are stitched to the recipient’s scalp portion and left to heal. People usually prefer the FUT technique as it completes the hair transplantation of over 4500 follicles in only takes one sitting. As much as the results of this procedure are visible instantly, it also offers a long-lasting solution.
The FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction is a hassle-free hair transplant procedure that grafts over 2500 hair follicles in one go. The surgeon examines the scalp and marks the donor and the recipient area, after which the back of the head (which will be the donor portion) is shaved (if not done before the surgery). Next, the surgeon pricks the donor area with a surgical probe and removes hair follicles one by one.
Marking the hairline shape and dividing it into sections – depending on the frequency of hair follicle transplant required in a particular section, the surgeon again pricks on the recipient’s scalp portion and fixes the follicles to that region. It takes 2-3 sessions to complete the entire process.
What is the Difference Between FUE and FUT Hair Transplants?
FUE and FUT techniques are completely different from each other. Some of the major differentiation grounds are listed below:
| Category | Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) | Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) |
| Grafts | For grafts, follicular units are taken from the backside of the head and grafted to the area where there is baldness or hair loss. Harvested hair follicles are inserted using surgical probes by pricking. | Grafting is generally done by cutting a strip of skin with hair follicles from the mid-region at the back of the hair. It is then attached with the help of stitches to the affected portion. |
| Operative Time | The operative time per session is over 2-4 hours, however, it can get stretched to 10-12 hours, depending on the type of treatment required by a patient. | The FUT or Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS) is completed within 4-12 hours, depending on the concern of patients. |
| Shaving/trimming of head | Patients are asked for a complete head shave 2-3 days before the surgery. Within this period hair grows to the required length required for follicular harvesting and transplanting. | Shaving of only a patch of hair is required, but patients are allowed to shave the entire head before the surgery. |
| Sessions | As per the convenience of the patients, the FUE sessions can stretch up to 2-3 days, depending on the number of hair follicle grafts needed. Generally, 2500 grafts are completed in one session, whereas 3000 grafts can be accomplished in two sessions. | FUT technique effectively grafts more than 4500 grafts in one sitting, and the patients have to visit again for the removal of stitches. |
| Stitches | There are no stitches involved; only tiny dot marks are formed which heal and go away in a few days. | Stitches are required to fix the patch of skin to the affected area. |
| Pain after the procedure | FUE treatment inflicts a pricking sensation on the patient, which is why they are given local anesthesia. | There is not much pain felt during the procedure as the patient remains under the influence of local anesthesia. However, they may feel tightness and a little pain post-surgery. |
| Cost | The FUE procedure is a tad bit costlier than the FUT technique since it is a time-consuming process. Moreover, FUE involves the removal of individual hair follicles, whereas, in FUT, a patch of skin is removed and stitched. | |
| Success Rate | Over 99% of FUE surgery has shown positive and effective results. | In recent times over 95-98% of the patients are living life normally with FUT transplant. |
| Repeat Session | Since FUE is a long-term solution, patients can continue a normal lifestyle for many years without needing a repeat session. Also, patients can go with a FUT after the FUE transplant. | FUT offers a long-term solution to the patients and usually doesn’t require any repeat sessions. |
Which Procedure is Ideal for you?
Choosing between the two treatments -FUT & FUE-can be a difficult situation. To be precise, FUE is suitable for patients who have baldness of a small portion of the head. It effectively grafts over 2500-3000 grafts and covers the baldness with natural hair. Also, it triggers the restoration of natural hair growth with minimal surgery. Patients are left with an overwhelming result without much pain or wait.
It generally takes over 3-4 months for natural hair to grow back in the bald region. Generally, patients with recession hairline issues and over the age of 25 years are likely to benefit from FUE transplants. There are no age criteria to go for FUE treatment, but what is more important is that patients should have healthy and abundant hair follicles in the donor area.
FUT is suitable for younger patients over 25 years, and this procedure successfully covers a large patch of baldness instantly. With more than 4500 grafts that can be done in a single sitting, it is incision-based surgery, which is why patients hesitate to adopt this treatment. However, with the help of modern probes and advanced medications post-surgery, patients can witness less scarring and a long-lasting solution with FUT.
At Dermalife, we offer patients the best hair transplant surgery. Our team of efficient surgeons is skilled in providing the best consultancy regarding the best treatment for the type of hair loss issue. With an abundance of knowledge, they tend to patients with great enthusiasm and provide transplant surgery to the patients seeking it.
With our right suggestions and treatment, you can give yourself the gift of aesthetics.
Can I Have Both FUT and FUE?
FUT and FUE can be undergone in a combined treatment and there without any risk. The derma expert can switch the treatment for a better result, which means an FUE can be provided to the patient after they have an FUT and not the reverse. After the FUT surgery, the skin becomes tighter than before, making FUE the best option to be performed in this case for a better result.
However, if FUE is done in the first place, the number of growth might be less, which is why doctors prefer going for the former method -FUT followed by an FUE- for a better result. This type of graft harvesting achieved through the combination of FUT and FUE has more satisfactory results in a way that there is less postoperative scarring in this procedure.
Furthermore, patients can also benefit from more number of grafts and witness a fuller hairline in the affected area. Patients with a lower number of hair follicles can opt for this method to retrieve more voluminous and thicker hair with a natural hair look.
Cost of FUT and FUE Hair Transplant in Delhi NCR?
Follicular Unit Transplant is a cost-effective technique with promising and long-term results. The traditional FUT procedure could cost you up to INR 45-85 rupees per graft in the Delhi NCR region. Since the FUE hair transplant technique is a detailed process including individual grafting, it costs more than the FUT surgical method in India.
Currently, the cost of the FUE technique can vary depending on the number of grafts, the extent of hair baldness, and the treatment adopted (manual or robotic), etc. Being one of the prime locations for advanced treatments, you can also avail of stitchless FUE grafting at around INR 45-85 rupees per graft in Delhi NCR.
Dermalife offers top-notch FUE and FUT treatments available to you at a cost-effective price. With the help of the latest technology and world-class derma surgeons, patients from all across India have benefited from our trending FUE and FUT hair transplants.
What are the Possible complications associated with FUT and FUE hair transplants?
FUT and FUE technique is the best hair transplant procedure with minimal risks. But, in some cases, postoperative risks can be seen. Some of these risk factors are listed below:
FUE Complications:
- Graft inflammation or folliculitis
- Scarring in tiny dot-shaped
- Scalp swelling can occur
- Itching while near the freshly grafted hair
- Infection around the dot wounds
- Numbness around the area
FUT Complications:
- Minimal bleeding might occur in the surgical area if there is much tension in the surgical area
- Pain and tightness around the stitches
- Swelling and numbness in the area
- Scarring can be seen
With proper screening and postoperative care, such complications can be avoided. A healthy diet and medication ingestion are also advised for proper hair restoration.
Take Away
FUT extraction is highly preferred by people who want to see quicker results. However, FUE can be easily an easy option for anyone with a healthy hairline to proceed. There might be hesitance related to the scarring and postoperative safety, however, with advanced medications, these have become minor issues nowadays.
If you adopt proper care and follow the instructions of the expert, you can get natural-looking hair. We at Dermalife, believe in giving you the most advanced and safer treatment options to you, so get ready and book your hair transplant consultation with us today.
DR. Gaurav Garg
Dermatologist Hair Transplant Surgeon
Dr. Gaurav Garg, an esteemed MBBS and MD in Dermatology from the prestigious GS Medical College and KEM Hospital in Mumbai, is a certified hair transplant surgeon and renowned skin specialist. With over 15 years of experience and a compassionate approach, he has transformed countless lives.
As the founder and director of Dermalife Skin and Hair Clinic in Green Park Extension, Dr. Gaurav Garg stands at the forefront of innovative treatments. Notably, he has pioneered the Boosted Hair Transplant Technique, further cementing his reputation as a leader in his field. To book an appointment, contact us at +91-8882047047 or email: info@dermalife.co.in
