Best Methods of Hair Transplants
If you are interested in getting a hair transplant procedure, you may be wondering what your options are. There are two main types of hair transplants: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE).
While they sound similar, there are some important differences between these two types of hair transplant surgery. Before choosing which one is right for you, let’s take a look at the details of each procedure and how they work.
What Is Follicular Unit Transplantation?
A FUT procedure involves taking a strip of tissue containing healthy and transplantable follicles from a donor site, elsewhere on your head. The donor site is typically located at the back or side of the head, and it is stitched up after extracting the tissue.
The surgeon then cuts the strip into tiny sections of only a few hair follicles per section. The doctor then places them in the desired area of the scalp to populate the balding area with new hair. A FUT surgery procedure can involve transplanting thousands of hair follicles in a fairly short period of time.
What Is Follicular Unit Extraction?
During a FUE procedure, the surgeon takes individual hair follicles from each individual donor site and places them individually in the desired area. This results in a more natural-looking hairline, but it is a much more intensive, more expensive, and longer process than a FUT procedure.
One of the major benefits of a FUE procedure is that it doesn’t leave large, linear, painful donor scars like FUT surgery does. This surgery is also better for an individual who wants a shorter hairstyle in which potential scars would be more visible.
Recovery from FUT and FUE Procedures
You may feel pain in the scalp during the first few days following your procedure. Your surgeon will prescribe medications to help with the pain and swelling as well as antibiotics to prevent infection.
While you are allowed to go home later the same day of the surgery, you should take a few days off from work and exercising in order to allow your scalp to rest and heal. Try not to allow the scalp to sweat, and do not apply shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products to the scalp unless your doctor specifically tells you to. After several days, you can gently wash your hair using a surgeon-recommended shampoo.
Which Procedure Is Right for Me?
Determining which type of hair transplant surgery is right for you depends on the results you desire, your budget, and your surgeon’s recommendation. Weigh the pros and cons with your surgeon when deciding which procedure is right for you. Upon talking to your surgeon, the right decision will likely become very obvious.
Hair Transplant Procedures in Kansas City, MO
If you are interested in learning more about hair transplant surgery and how it can help restore your hairline, call the experts at Darling Hair Restoration. Our team has a wealth of medical experience performing hair transplant procedures, and we would love to help you achieve the look you want.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Darling, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (816) 792-3400 or fill out our online appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you achieve a fuller, healthier head of hair!