The FUT Hair Transplant Process
What is a FUT Hair Transplant?
Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) is the surgical removal of a small strip of skin from a hair-producing location on your scalp. Naturally occurring groups of follicles are then inserted into another location on your scalp to fill bald spots. This type of surgery takes between four to eight hours, and is done with local anesthesia to numb the scalp.
Is FUT Hair Transplant Safe?
FUT hair transplant is considered a relatively safe surgery. There is no need for general anesthesia, and the risk of complications is low with proper aftercare. FUT hair transplant side effects may include swelling, numbness, scalp pain, bleeding, infection, or scarring, but these aren’t common.
The FUT hair transplant success rate is 95-98%. Keep in mind that it is normal for transplanted hair shafts to fall out before re-growing permanent hairs. You should see initial results within 3-4 months, with full growth occurring around 12 months.
How Long Do FUT Transplants Last?
Follicular Unit Transplants are permanent. Because donor hairs are genetically programmed not to fall out, they are fundamentally different from hairs in the balding area.
Who Is a Candidate for an FUT Transplant?
FUT is a good option if you need a large number of hair follicles grafted and have areas of hair with adequate growth density. It is an excellent choice for those who experience male pattern baldness. If the crown of your scalp is balding, FUT can help achieve hair replacement in that area with maximum coverage and fullness.
When considering FUT vs. FUE, FUT has a shorter operation time than FUE and tends to be less expensive. FUT has a longer healing time than FUE and may cause more pain and larger areas of scarring. An FUT scar is thin, linear, and typically cannot be easily seen underneath new growth.
Manual FUT Science
When hair follicles are removed from the scalp and placed anywhere on the same person’s body, the follicles will thrive and produce hair. You will need to have an adequate amount of donor hair, because the process will not work if someone else is the donor, even if it’s a family member.
In a surgical hair replacement transplant, the follicles removed from the back of the scalp have the ability to grow hair for a lifetime. Because they come from your own scalp, they cannot be rejected. They can be placed in the bald area of the scalp where they will survive and thrive.
