Hair loss is a common and progressing problem, which at times continues until you get old. However, by choosing proper treatment, you can get rid of this condition and get fuller scalp again. Hair transplant is the best and permanent solution to baldness. The procedure is classified in two types – FUE Hair Transplant and FUT Hair Transplant – and both the options are helpful and give effective results. However, you must have detailed information about these surgical hair restoration techniques before going under the knife.

Here is a comparison of two procedures to make the task easier for you and help you choose the most appropriate option.

Comparison of FUE hair transplant and strip removal hair transplant

Technique used for graft harvesting: In both the procedures – FUE and FUT – hair follicles are harvested from the donor area and implanted in the bald area of the scalp. The difference lies in the technique used for harvesting of donor grafts. In FUT or strip removal hair transplant, strip of scalp is excised from the donor area – usually the back or the side of the scalp – and is then dissected into follicles. On the other hand, FUE hair transplant involves extracting follicles individually from the donor area, using small punching tool.

Duration and number of sessions: FUT procedure is completed in less time as after the strip is removed, technical staff starts dissecting it to obtain individual grafts. In the meanwhile, the surgeon prepares the recipient site. In contrast, FUE involves harvesting grafts one by one and recipient site can’t be prepared simultaneously, which increases the duration of procedure. Since extraction process is slower in FUE hair transplant, it is more time consuming than strip harvesting and may need more than one session to produce desired hair density.

Incisions: FUT involves making a single long linear incision in the donor area whereas in case of FUE Hair Transplant, several pinhole incisions are made to harvest donor follicles.

Donor area scarring: Since FUT involves single linear incision, it causes a visible long scar at the donor area, which is hard to hide with short hair. In contrast, FUE does not cause visible scarring, rather extremely tiny, pinhole scars are created, which can be easily camouflaged with short hair.

Side effects and recovery period: Patient feels pain and discomfort in the donor area for some days after FUT hair transplant. Wound takes 2 to 3 weeks to heal completely. The patient needs to avoid workout, swimming and other vigorous activities for a few weeks.

On the other hand, FUE hair transplant causes less post-op discomfort. Side effects are also less. Wound healing takes 4 to 6 days only and the patient becomes able to resume most of the routine activities after that. Your surgeon can better guide you in this regard.

Cost of hair transplant: FUE hair transplant is usually more expensive than strip removal hair transplant. This is because the procedure is more time consuming and also requires more effort from the surgeon. Stem Cell FUE performed using even more sophisticated hair transplant technology is expensive than FUE and strip removal transplant. Nevertheless, the results are worth paying a few extra bucks.

In a nut shell, FUE hair transplant and strip removal hair transplant have their own pros and cons and significance but FUE is considered a preferred choice because of lesser side effects and recovery period.