You’ve been noticing thinning hair and bald spots creeping up for months — maybe even years. You’ve probably wondered what you can do to regain your confidence but want a solution that truly works. Sound familiar?
Many of our patients spend years debating before finally taking the leap to explore treatments like hair transplants. And almost every single one of them wishes they had done it sooner.
The golden standard for hair transplants is generally broken into two categories: Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). While they are similar in nature, they differ in technique, and one may be the right answer for you.
Hair Doc happily services both the FUE and FUT to patients in Cow Hollow, San Francisco. Let’s break down these transformative options and help you find the best path to reclaiming your hair and confidence.
You might not have appreciated your hair until you started losing it. For many of us, hair helps shape our look, gives us a sense of identity, and can make us feel more confident. While losing your hair is common — 50% of men experience noticeable hair loss by age 50 — not everyone is ready to rock the bald look.
Hair transplants are a safe way to gain impressive regrowth for moderate to severe hair loss. The hair is transplanted from a donor area and placed where you’ve experienced balding to nourish the dormant follicles and provide a healthy scalp for new hair growth. While results aren’t immediate, they’re worth the wait — most patients experience hair fill-in and thickening around 4-6 months.
FUT was one of the first hair transplant methods developed in the 1980s. Also known as the “strip method,” this restoration method is impeccable in restoring significant hair loss. During a FUT, a thin strip is removed from the back of the scalp (0.5-1.5 centimeters wide), and individual follicles are removed from the strip and placed onto balding or thinning areas.
One of the best parts of an FUT is its ability to yield many grafts (up to 3500 grafts in a session) making it the best option for those with extensive hair loss. It’s important to understand that an FUT involves a linear scar, which may not be suitable for some short hairstyles. Recovery is longer than an FUE and may require up to two weeks before you can resume everyday life.
FUE is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive hair transplant technique acknowledged for its precision and natural-looking results. Unlike the FUT method, FUE involves harvesting individual hair follicles from the scalp — typically from the back or sides — using a specialized tool. These follicles are then transplanted into thinning or balding areas with the help of the ARTAS® iX robotic system, designed to optimize precision and enhance hair restoration outcomes.
One of FUE’s standout benefits is its ability to reduce visible scarring, as it eliminates the need for a linear incision. This makes it an excellent option for individuals who prefer shorter hairstyles or seek a less invasive approach.
With an FUE method, approximately 2,000 grafts are harvested in a single session, which is less than an FUT. FUE is also well-suited for smaller, targeted transplants and boasts a quicker recovery time, with most patients resuming normal activities within 5-7 days.
Everyone experiences hair loss differently and may seek different results. While a majority of patients only need one transplant, other patients may seek multiple transplants to get the results they want. It is not uncommon for patients to undergo an FUT and years later, get an FUE.
With extensive hair loss, it’s better to undergo a FUT before undergoing an FUE because it requires a linear scar, and the scalp may become tighter after an FUE. It is generally not suggested to get an FUT after an FUE because:
It’s suggested to undergo an FUT before an FUE if you anticipate needing multiple treatments. Still having trouble deciding? Consult with a professional to help. Call 415-907-7354 to schedule a consultation or book online.
Disclaimer: Photos used in this article are models and may or may not have had treatment.
