Comparing FUE and FUT Hair Transplants

When you think of using cosmetic surgery to turn back the clock, you probably picture facelift, BOTOX®, breast augmentation, and other procedures that address some of the most classic signs of aging. However, one of the effects of aging that is often overlooked, though equally as frustrating and problematic as lines and wrinkles, is hair loss. In some cases, hair loss may even begin much earlier than other age-related symptoms. Fortunately, surgical hair restoration offers men and women the opportunity to restore natural hair growth for a more youthful look that can truly be life-changing.

Highly experienced board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Khorsandi is proud to offer the two most effective and cutting-edge surgical hair transplant systems, FUE and FUT hair restoration, at VIP Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas, NV. Use the helpful information contained here to learn more about each procedure, including how they are performed, how long your results may last, and which option is most appropriate for you.

How does hair transplant work?

The specifics of your Las Vegas, NV hair transplant procedure will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of your hair loss and the surgical approach used. The two most effective and widely used and surgical hair restoration methods are FUT and FUE hair transplant, both of which have a unique set of characteristics that may make one or the other better suited to your particular needs.

During either FUT or FUE hair transplant in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Khorsandi will use your own harvested hair follicles to fill in areas of balding, thinning hair, or hair loss. The procedure is performed while the patient is under local anesthesia in one of our comfortable, private treatment rooms and typically lasts several hours, during which time you will be provided with meals, snacks, and entertainment (movies or TV). Dr. Khorsandi understands the importance of achieving natural-looking results from your hair transplant and takes great care to place the follicles in a distribution that will appear youthful and natural. This involves meticulously placing the hairs in groups of 1, 2, 3, or 4, with the smaller units being reserved for the hairline and the larger clusters of follicles being placed in areas of denser growth.

About 2 – 3 weeks after a hair restoration procedure, the newly transplanted follicles will begin to fall out. This can certainly be unnerving, but rest assured that it is a normal and necessary part of the hair transplant process. Over the next several months, you will start to see new growth, which will continue to fill in with time. Most patients realize their final results about one year after hair transplant, though there should be a noticeable improvement well before that.

What is FUT hair transplant?

FUT, which stands for follicular unit transplant, is often considered the standard or traditional surgical hair restoration method. While FUT is highly effective and provides patients with natural-looking, long-lasting results when performed properly by a qualified Las Vegas, NV plastic surgeon, there are some notable aspects of the procedure that should be considered. First and foremost, FUT hair transplant involves the excision of a horizontal strip of skin from the back of the scalp, which is why it is often referred to as a “strip method” hair transplant. While the resulting linear scar can be concealed relatively well underneath the hair, it will likely be visible on patients who prefer a short or buzzed hairstyle. Following FUT hair transplant, patients are, typically, able to return to work in about one week.

What is FUE hair transplant?

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair restoration is a breakthrough hair transplant method that allows the surgeon to extract individual follicles directly from the patient’s scalp, obviating the need for a traditional incision and eliminating virtually all visible scarring. During FUE hair transplant treatment in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Khorsandi will use a handheld punch tool, part of the highly advanced SAFE graft system, to harvest hair follicles one by one. Because the hairs are taken directly from the scalp, there is no incision required, meaning patients will not have sutures or a scar. Instead, the small puncture sites will rapidly heal, leaving behind tiny dots of discoloration that typically fade away completely, but can also be covered even with the shortest of haircuts. In fact, FUE is often used to disguise a scar from previous hair transplant surgery. Most FUE patients should be able to return to work within about a week, if desired.

Las Vegas, NV hair transplant: FUE vs. FUT difference

It can, understandably, be difficult to choose between FUE and FUT hair transplant, as both are equally effective and can produce long-lasting, natural-looking results in the same amount of time. During your initial consultation at VIP Plastic Surgery, Dr. Khorsandi will evaluate your hair loss, discuss your specific goals, and help you determine which approach may be most appropriate for you. Some of the most compelling differences between FUT and FUE hair transplant that should be taken into account include:

• Extraction method: FUE utilizes NeoGraft® technology, which allows hair follicles to be extracted directly from the patient’s scalp. FUT involves excising a strip of skin from which the follicles are then harvested.

• Scarring: FUT will leave patients with a linear scar that may be visible, while FUE leaves virtually no visible scarring

• Downtime: FUT hair transplant recovery can be slightly longer and more involved, while FUE requires virtually no downtime.

• Harvesting limit: FUE, typically, allows for a max of about 2,000 follicles to be harvested in a single session. About twice as many can be extracted during a single FUT treatment. However, for some patients, as little as 500 follicles may be enough to achieve their desired outcome.

• Cost: Depending on the number of follicles needed, FUT may be more cost-effective in many cases.

Feel more confident with Las Vegas, NV hair transplant

If you are tired of hiding under a hat or feeling self-conscious about your hair loss, it may be time to consider surgical hair restoration. Call the caring team at VIP Plastic Surgery to schedule your Las Vegas, NV hair transplant consultation with renowned board-certified plastic surgeon and hair restoration expert Dr. Christopher Khorsandi. We are excited to now offer online consultations as an alternative for patients who prefer the comfort and convenience of attending their appointment from their own living room! We look forward to helping you learn more about the life-changing benefits of FUE and FUT hair restoration!