Introduction
In these techniques, donor harvesting was carried out using a single-strip procedure that involved elliptical donor excision and suturing. The linear donor scar left behind after single-strip harvesting was a major drawback. Even though the recently described trichophytic closure can result in a tiny linear scar, many patients—especially those who want to wear short hair—have cosmetic concerns.
What Is FUT Hair Transplant?
Forty percent of women and up to eighty-five percent of men have hair loss. Hair loss can be partially covered by less invasive operations such as follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and other hair transplants. Hair transplant results started to resemble real hair when surgeons transferred individual hair follicles, sometimes called follicular units. Currently, there are two main methods of hair transplantation in use:
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Folic Units of Extraction (FUE).
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Folic Units of Transplantation (FUT).
During follicular unit transplantation, the surgeon removes a strip of skin from the back or side of the head, extracting individual hair follicles. These follicles are then filled in the balding areas of the scalp. Surgery is best for covering male pattern baldness-related receding hairlines.
How Does a Transplant of Follicular Units Operate?
During fat grafting, the surgeon cuts a skin strip from the scalp, usually from the back of the head. The quantity of follicles required to cover bald areas determines the precise size of the strip. Typically, the width of the strip is between 1 and 1.5 cm (0.4 and 0.6 inches). After being removed from the strip, the individual follicles are reinserted into the scalp.
Eight hours are needed for hair transplant procedures. In general, FUT surgery takes less time than FUE surgery. Due to a local anesthetic that numbs the scalp, most patients remain awake throughout the procedure.
Procedure:
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The surgeon will redraw the hairline, note the hair extraction site, and take pictures for medical files. A sedative may be taken before surgery, and the scalp will be made numb by local anesthetic.
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Hair will be extracted from the donor site, and the hair there will be clipped to around two millimeters.
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The surgeon will remove the skin strip containing the hair follicles used as a graft and will not sleep through the procedure.
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A technician will extract individual hair follicles from the strip to prepare them for transplantation.
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The surgeon will suture and shut the scalp.
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The balding areas of the scalp will next have the hair follicles put into them in a natural pattern.
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The scalp will be bandaged and treated with an antibiotic.
Most patients experience surgical results in six to nine months. For some people, results take a year to manifest.
What Is a Transplantation of Microscopic Follicular Units (MFUT)?
FUE or FUT hair transplantation is "microscopic follicular unit transplantation." Another name for FUT surgery is Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS).
Who Requires a FUT Process?
One must have enough hair on the head to utilize as a donor for both FUT and FUE transplants. Male pattern baldness, known as androgenic alopecia, is the most suitable candidate for FUT in men. This disorder typically manifests in men as an M-shaped hairline with hair loss at the temples or as the Norwood pattern. The Ludwig pattern, which results in hair loss along the hair part or thinning at the top of the head, is typically experienced by women with this disorder. One may not be able to get FUT surgery if a medical problem like alopecia areata or thyroid issues is causing hair loss. Also, one should meet the requirements listed below to be a good candidate for FUT surgery:
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Age: FUT is often administered to patients who are over 25. Younger people's hair loss patterns could be more dependable.
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Diagnosis: The greatest candidates for hair transplantation are typically men who exhibit the Norwood pattern of hair loss.
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Thickness of Hair: Higher densities of hair follicles typically result in better coverage for their subjects.
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Balding Region: FUT best treats hair loss in the front of the head.
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Color of Hair: Since there is less color contrast, candidates with hair colors close to their skin tones tend to be better candidates.
What Is the Difference Between FUE and FUT Hair Transplantation?
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Individual Hair Follicles Are Transplanted in Both FUE and FUT: During FUT surgery, the surgeon cuts a strip of skin from the side or back of the scalp, and the hair follicles are extracted. Instead of removing a strip of skin from the scalp, the surgeon will extract individual hair follicles from the head during FUE surgery. Currently, FUE is the most popular procedure. Among the benefits of FUE are the following:
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Decreased pain following surgery.
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Faster recovery.
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Little scarring.
Even if hair density is low, one can still use hair from other body regions. Some of the benefits of FUT are:
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It is preferable if a shorter surgery period is required to graft many hair follicles.
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Less expensive surgery.
What Are the Side Effects of FUT?
Complications after FUT are not common. An abundant blood flow to the head promotes rapid healing and helps prevent infections. Approximately only one percent of patients have an infection following surgery.
Among the Possible Issues Are:
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Abnormal-looking hair lumps or scars, follicular inflammation (folliculitis).
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Hemorrhage.
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Edema.
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Discomfort.
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Numbness.
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Cysts.
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Scars From FUT: After FUT surgery, a scar is left at the hair removal location. The scar is permanent, although it will eventually diminish. The number of hair follicles used during the procedure determines the scar size. Usually covered by hair, the scar can become noticeable if one has short hair.
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Startling Hair Loss: Shock loss is a popular term for donor hair effluvium. Hair that has been transplanted frequently falls out two months following surgery. In months, the hair usually grows back virtually always.
Conclusion
Although FUT surgery was once a helpful treatment for male pattern baldness and hair loss, it is now relatively out of date due to advancements in technology. Physicians say only the most severe hair loss cases should be treated with FUT. Some treatments, even though they are slightly more expensive, provide a higher yield of new hair growth, less recuperation time, and less scarring.
