In the world of hair restoration, there are 2 main different types of hair transplants. These are Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). If you are considering a hair transplant, it is important to understand the differences between these 2 methods as well as the fact that there are multiple types of FUE transplants. In this article, the different types of hair transplants will be covered in more detail. If you would like more information on the hair transplant process overall, you can read our overview article. Alternatively, if you’ve already read up on the process but would like more detail on what the recovery process is like, you can read our hair transplant recovery article. Keep reading below for specifics on the different types of hair transplants.
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FUE vs FUT Hair Transplants
As mentioned above, the 2 main types of hair transplants are:
- Follicular Unit Extraction/Excision (FUE)
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), also known as Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS)
FUE is the more modern method developed in the early 2000’s in comparison to the FUT method which rose to popularity in the 1980’s. Both only require local anesthetic and will produce satisfactory results however, it is important to consider which method may be more suitable for you. This will be covered in more detail in the choosing the right method section.
FUE Hair Transplants: This method of hair transplant consists of the use of a surgical tool to remove hair follicles from the area of the head where hair is being extracted from, known as the donor area. The tool works by removing tiny punches of skin containing hair follicles from across the donor area evenly and as a result, leaves less noticeable scarring in the long term. Once the punches of hair follicles are removed from the scalp, they will be harvested in a surgical dish in preparation to be transplanted in the balding part of the head, known as the recipient area. The recipient area will then be prepared to receive the harvested hair by the surgeon through making small incisions in recipient area on the head. Once the incisions are made, the harvested hair will be transplanted into the recipient area and upon completion, the surgeon will bandage your head. The surgery can take between 4-8 hours depending on several factors such as, how many grafts of hair follicles are being transplanted, the skill of your surgeon and how prominent the hair in the donor area is (in some cases, beards and other bodily hair can be used as the donor area).
There are several types of FUE transplantation which include, manual FUE, motorised FUE, robotic FUE and automatic FUE. The concept of the each of these methods is the same as what is listed above, what changes is the tools used to do so. These methods will be covered in more detail in the next section.
FUT Hair Transplants: This method of hair transplant involves removing a strip of skin from the donor area, which is usually on the back of the head, to extract hair follicles from. Once the strip of skin is removed, the medical team aiding your surgeon will extract the hair follicles from the skin to prepare for transplantation. Similar to FUE, incisions will be made in the recipient area in preparation for the extracted hair to be implanted. Once complete, the back of the head where the skin was removed will be stitched up. The recipient area will also be bandaged when the surgery is complete.
As a linear cut is made to remove the strip of skin, the scarring can be more prominent although hair which grows back from the surrounding areas generally cover this. Since FUT requires stitching the head, recovery can be more delicate and follow up visits may be required for check ups and removing stitching. This method for hair transplants tends to take longer than FUE as the hair follicles needs to be extracted from the removed skin before transplantation. Other factors such as skill of surgeon and how much skin is removed from the head for follicle extraction can also impact how long this type of hair transplant can take. FUT Hair Transplant are cheaper than FUE.
Different Types of FUE Hair Transplants
As FUE has been the most popular hair transplant method over the last few decades, advancements have been made in how this procedure is done. While the concept of each method remains the same, it is the technological improvements in the tools used creating various ways of carrying out the same procedure. The different types of FUE hair transplants are:
- Manual FUE
- Manual FUE hair transplants were the first method of FUE. As the name suggests, this method involves using a round punch tool to manually remove hair follicles from the scalp. This is done by rotating the tool around an individual hair follicle for extraction. As machines have developed to help make the process easier, this method is not as commonly in use anymore.
- Motorised FUE
- A motorised FUE is an upgrade to the manual FUE method. Rather than manually rotating, or oscillating, the device has a motor to help the surgeon remove hair grafts. The best way to think of the differences between manual and motorised FUE is a like an a screwdriver and an electric drill. There are many different types of motorised FUE machines available on the market for surgeons based on preferences such as speed settings, computer interface to choose settings and interchangeable punch sizes.
- Robotic FUE
- Robotic FUE is a newer method of FUE which uses a large robot style machine to help the surgeon carry out this procedure. While robotic FUE greatly improves the process for creating punches around hair follicles on the donor area of a patients head, the hair follicles must still be extracted by the doctor. This method continues to improve as time goes on and greatly helps with punching hair follicles evenly and accurately throughout a patients head.
- Automated FUE
- Finally, there is the automated FUE method. This process for FUE is an upgrade from the robotic FUE as it does have a built in hair follicle extractor. Different machines have different specifics however, in general, this works by built in tubes sucking up the extracted hair and keeping them in a saline water solution. Safe keeping of the extracted follicles is essential so they can be transplanted into the recipient area. This method is not completely automated as the name may suggest and still requires a surgeon to operate the machine.
The variations of FUE discussed above primarily refer to the way in which hair follicles are extracted from the donor area. It is also important to note that there are different methods for implanting the extracted hair follicles. There are 2 main methods for implanting the hair follicles, one which places the hair directly into the recipient area and the other, involves making incisions for the hair follicles to be placed by the surgeon using forceps. These implantation methods are:
- FUE/Sapphire FUE
- This is the method where incisions are made by the surgeon to place the hair extracted from the donor area. The difference between regular FUE and Sapphire FUE is that the incisions are made with sapphire blades rather than steel however, the process of the surgery stays the same.
- Direct Hair Implant (DHI)
- DHI method is when a surgical pen is used to transplant the harvested hair follicles. It does not require making incisions in the recipient area as the tool makes an incision and places the hair in one go.
It is important to remember that just as there are many different types of hair transplants, doctors have preferences for the way they carry out this procedure. Most clinics will advertise the type of hair transplant they offer but it is important to consult with your doctor on the method they will use during your initial conversation. The skill of your surgeon is something which will affect the outcome of your hair transplant regardless of method so it is just as crucial to choose your clinic carefully and see previous work carried out by the doctor.
How Much Do Different Types of Hair Transplants Cost
The prices of hair transplants vary from country to country and clinic to clinic. Over the last few decades, medical tourism has exploded in popularity as getting high quality treatment is possible for much cheaper costs in another country. In general, developed western countries tend to have the most expensive prices for private cosmetic surgery which is why travelling abroad to a clinic using the same equipment and qualified doctors has become so popular. In addition, depending on where you decide to travel, you can also combine your treatment with a holiday. Check out our article which covers the hair transplant procedure overall in more detail with a focus on travelling to Turkey for this procedure.
In addition to where you decide to have your hair transplant, other factors such as the number of grafts you need (i.e. how much hair is being transplanted) and the experience of your surgeon will also determine how much your hair transplant costs. Irrespective of what country you decide to have this procedure done in, there is a general order of expensiveness for hair transplants. This can be seen below from least expensive to most expensive, 1 being the cheapest and 4 being the most expensive:
- FUT Hair Transplant – As this is an older method which uses a less advanced process, it is the cheapest method of hair transplant.
- FUE Transplant using steel blades – With FUE being the newer method of hair transplant in recent decades, this type of hair transplant costs more than FUT. As FUE extracts hair follicles individually across the donor area and does not involve removing a strip of hair, due to leaving less scarring it costs more.
- Sapphire FUE – Sapphire FUE is a more recent development in the FUE procedure using an upgraded blade in the surgery to make the incisions before implanting the extracted hair from the donor area. As sapphire is a more precious material than steel which makes the process easier, it makes it more expensive than regular FUE.
- Direct Hair Implant (DHI) FUE – Finally, the most expensive type of hair transplant is FUE using DHI. As DHI uses a special tool which does not require making incisions on the head to transplant extracted hair follicles, it is the most recent advancement in FUE hair transplantation. It is important to note that DHI will not be available to everyone as it is generally better suited for patients with longer hair.
Choosing the Right Method
Choosing the right method for you will largely depend on a number of factors including – the clinic and surgeon you choose, your budget for a hair transplant, where you decide to have this procedure done, the type of balding you are experiencing and most importantly, what your doctor recommends. It is for this reason that it is very important to book a consultation with more than one doctor to see what they recommend and what you feel most comfortable with.
If you have decided on the type of hair transplant you are interested in having and would like to find out more about the recovery process, you can read more about the hair transplant recovery process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
What are the two main types of hair transplants?
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): Individual hair follicles are extracted from the donor area (usually the back of the scalp) and transplanted into the recipient area.
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): A strip of skin is removed from the donor area, hair follicles are dissected from it, and then transplanted into the recipient area.
What are the advantages of FUE over FUT?
- Less noticeable scarring in the donor area
- Generally considered a less invasive procedure
- May offer quicker recovery time
Is one method better than the other?
- The best method depends on your individual case. Factors like the extent of your hair loss, the quality of your donor hair, and your budget all play a role in determining the most suitable method.
What are the different types of FUE transplants?
- Manual FUE: Hair follicles are extracted using a handheld manual punch tool.
- Motorized FUE: A motorized punch tool assists in the extraction process.
- Robotic FUE: A robotic system aids the surgeon in follicle extraction.
- Automated FUE: Includes automated follicle extraction in addition to the follicle punching process.
- How are the extracted hair follicles implanted?
- FUE/Sapphire FUE: The surgeon creates tiny incisions in the recipient area and places the follicles within those incisions. Sapphire FUE uses a sapphire blade for incisions.
- Direct Hair Implant (DHI): A specialized pen-like tool simultaneously creates incisions and implants the hair follicles.
- How much does a hair transplant cost?
- Cost varies significantly depending on:
- The type of procedure (FUT vs. FUE, specific FUE variation)
- The number of grafts needed
- The surgeon’s experience and location
- Whether you opt for medical tourism
- Cost varies significantly depending on:
- How to choose the type of Hair Transplant:
- It’s crucial to consult with multiple doctors. They’ll consider your hair loss pattern, budget, and preferences to make the best recommendation.