Types of Hair Transplantation – Which Type is Right for You?
Choosing the right type of hair transplantation procedure is the most important decision before you go in for hair transplantation. This decision is entirely based on your hair loss pattern, the hair coverage that you want, and your budget.
Hair transplant surgeons follow different techniques to excise and transplant hair. Before you consult the surgeon, it is always best to have basic knowledge of hair transplantation techniques. This helps you understand the technique that suits you best and to ask the right questions to your surgeon.
Broadly, there are two hair transplantation techniques: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Let’s understand these procedures.
FUT
FUT is also known as Strip Harvest procedure. This is the most commonly used procedure for hair transplantation. For performing FUT, the surgeon removes a strip of tissue from the back of your head where hair is dense. From this tissue, multiple hair follicle grafts are extracted using a scalpel and grafted on the bald area of the scalp. Small holes are made in the recipient sites to transplant the hair grafts. During one session, around 2500 to 4000 grafts can be transplanted.
The surgeon plans the transplantation as discussed with you to give you a natural look. The advantage of this method is that in fewer sittings a larger area of the scalp can be covered. This procedure does leave a linear scar on your scalp.
FUE
In the FUE method, the surgeon removes individual hair follicle units from the donor areas one by one and transplants them into the recipient area. Care is taken to keep the hair follicle intact without causing any damage to the oil gland, nerve, muscle, and collagen. Hair in the donor area is shaved before the procedure. The surgeon creates small holes in the recipient site similar to the FUT procedure. The harvested hair graft is placed into these holes in the recipient site. FUE procedure is performed with high tech instruments that lend precision to the operation.
As the procedure involves removal of individual follicles and not removal of an entire tissue from the donor area, the resulting fall in hair density is hardly noticeable. This is one of the main advantages of FUE method. FUE does not leave any scar because it involves grafting individual hair shafts. It leaves tiny wounds which heal within seven days. However, FUE is more expensive as it is more precise than the FUT method.
After evaluating your hair loss pattern and the health of your hair follicles, your surgeon will recommend the best method that suits your condition. At Desire Aesthetics, there are trained surgeons to suggest the best method to restore your crowning glory.
