The FUT Hair Transplant Methods
The world’s most common hair transplant method, the FUT, also referred to as the ‘strip method’, is widely used around the world and generally offers exceptional patient outcomes with both high hair regrowth and retention and rates. The FUT is favored for this success rate and its low cost.
The FUT process begins with the removal of a strip of skin from the back of the head, known as the donor area. Under a microscope, this strip is then divided into individual follicular units. These follicular units will then be re-inserted into the recipient area individually through tiny slits in the scalp where the hair is to be placed. FUT hair transplantation takes a few hours to complete and are usually quicker than an FUE hair transplant.
However, the recovery times are slightly longer following a FUT procedure, as compared to FUE but any discomfort is slight and easily managed. A majority of patients recover quickly and are able to return to normal routines after just a few days. Your Patient Advisor will provide all the information you require to safeguard that your aftercare regime is in place and fully understood in order to achieve optimal results.
What is a FUT Hair Transplant?
The FUT hair transplant procedure involves surgically removing a thin strip of hair from the back of the head at the base of the neck, known as the “donor area.” This this strip is then divided into grafts, and the hair follicles relocated to the top and front of the head. The surgeon will be performing this removal process. The hair at the back of the head is resistant to the chemical dihydrotestosterone (DHT), therefore making it resistant to falling out of the scalp. This also explains why we often see men with only a wreath of hair at the back and sides of the head.
Your hair transplant surgery begins after the application of a local anesthetic. The first step will be the removal of a small strip of hair at the back of the head from the “donor area”. The incision will then be secured with sutures. The incision will heal quickly. While it will leave a minor scar, this will be hidden by the hair at the back of the head when it grows in.
Next, the strip from the donor area is then dissected into very small follicular units or hair group grafts. These grafts may contain 1, 2, 3, 4 or more hairs. These grafts will be divided by the surgical team under the instruction of the surgeon. Each of these units is essentially an organ. The follicular units have a blood supply, are chemically regulated like other organs and when transplanted will quickly return to homeostasis.
The doctor will then make tiny incisions in the area in which the grafts will be transplanted. This involves both artistry and technical skill. The incisions (or receptor sites) are placed to mimic the pattern of natural hair growth. The specific dimensions of each incision-the depth, angle, direction, size and width are crucial to proper placement and growth of the transplanted hair. This is by far the most critical and time-consuming phase of the procedure.
The doctor will the oversee the placement and relocation of the grafts to the receptor area by the surgical staff. These individual grafts can only be placed into the receptor site one way, similar to a square peg being fit into a square hole.
The relocation process is minimally invasive and is a minor surgical procedure. While there may be some discomfort during and after hair transplant surgery, there is seldom serious pain involved. Patients are awake and alert throughout the entire procedure.
Patients are also permitted to have a friend or spouse present.
HOW LONG DOES THE FUT PROCEDURE TAKE?
Depending upon the number of hair grafts implanted, the time it takes to complete a hair transplant procedure can vary. A FUT Hair Transplant can take anywhere from 3 to 6+ hours. Speak to a patient advisor today to get a detailed quote and estimate of how long your FUT Hair Transplant might take.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE MY FUT PROCEDURE?
Patients need to arrive the morning of their procedure to the office with clean and dry hair. Patients must also avoid CONSUMING ANY ALCOHOL or TAKING ANY ASPIRIN for a period of 24 hours prior to the surgery; as this may cause excessive bleeding during the procedure.
PREVIOUS FUT PROCEDURE?
If you have previously had an FUT procedure, your scar can make you question what to expect with our procedure. We strongly urge these patients in particular to speak with a patient of ours who is one or two weeks post-surgery. Most patients are all too glad to share their experiences
Post FUT Hair Transplant Surgery
Some people are concerned about how they will look after the procedure. Since hair restoration is a minor form of surgery, directly following the procedure it may be possible to return to normal activities fairly quickly, but we do recommend resting during the day of the procedure.
During the days following the procedure, the patient can return to work and recreational activities. We recommend refraining from strenuous activities such as weight lifting, racquet ball or tennis for a week or two to avoid accidentally damaging the grafts. The hair can and should be washed gently with the fingers and a very mild shampoo.
After a few days, the redness will subside at the top of the head and the grafts will blend in with the existing hair.
When will my hair start growing and what will it look like?
During the first 1 to 3 weeks, new hairs will appear to grow quickly. This is the beginning of a phase known as “shedding,” the time when the hair follicles actually go dormant. About half of our patients see results within the first 1 to 2 weeks in the transplant area. When they do, the hair is just barely visible.
Following transplant surgery, the hair follicles go dormant because they are in shock-and this is completely normal. This dormant phase typically lasts 3 to 6 months. Patients will not begin to see new hair growth until the follicle moves out of this dormant phase and onto the next growth phase. This waiting period can often cause patients to get anxious waiting to see if the transplant was successful. However, keeping in mind that this “shedding” is typical and normal will ease anxiety.
Typically, the hair growth phase starts within 2 to 4 months. Hair growth is cyclical, with each cycle starting a few days or weeks from the previous cycle. The hair that grows initially produces a smaller than usual shaft that will change when the hair reaches about 1/2 inch in length. This slower hair growth process is often preferred by our male patients because it makes any change subtle and less obvious.
By 6 months post-surgery, most people can see the effect of the procedure. By one year, the growth and bulk will have reached 90% of its total growth. Hair can continue to mature for as long as another 24 months following surgery. Based upon this, we advise patients to not evaluate the results until a full year has passed.
The healing process from the procedure as also fairly fast. The specific sites that received donor grafts have healed, generally within 1 to 2 weeks. However, it might take six months to a year for the hair to regain full strength.
