Understanding Hair Transplants and Hair Loss - Pacific Hair

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
Versus Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
In general, hair transplants in 2010 are done in either follicular unit transplantation or
follicular unit extraction, otherwise known as FUT and FUE . Follicular unit transplantation
is the method whereby a strip of donor hair is removed from the back and/or sides of the
head, usually about the width of your little finger, with the length determining the number
of grafts . For example, a 1-cm wide strip will usually generate about 100 grafts per running
centimeter. If 1000 grafts are needed, the strip would need to be 1 cm wide and 10
cm long, etc . The donor strips are taken from the nuchal ridge, around the sides and over
the ears in the very thickest and best permanent donor hair area . The experience of the
physician determines where this should be, neither too high nor too low, so that the fine
line scar is hidden regardless of future progression of pattern hair loss . Typically 3000-
5000 grafts are harvested in one session .
FUE is a method where 1mm plugs are extracted and used as transplant grafts . Some
physicians claim that there is less donor scarring with FUE versus FUT . This is incorrect .
FUT 2500 grafts taken twice FUE 400 1mm round scars
tesulting in a donor scar resulting in donor scars
2mm wide x 350mm long .5 x .5 x 3 .14 x 4000
= 700 mm2 for 4000 grafts = 3140mm2 for 4000 grafts
The scar area is much larger with FUE than FUT .
Evaluation for Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
When you are seen by your hair restoration physician, he will evaluate the size and
progress of your hair loss . You may be in an early stage in which you will require several
treatments over many years, or in a late stage where you are nearly fully bald and
require one or two treatments over one to two years . Generally, the number of follicular
units that can be transplanted per session vary from about 20 to 40 follicular units per
square centimeter of baldness . A practical method which allows for transplanting most
of the head in most cases is one in which the physician’s objective is to install about
20 follicular units per square centimeter of baldness on the first session, with a second
session of similar density about one year later . The one-year delay is necessary to allow
the donor area to relax and loosen up so that a similar strip can be taken in the same
place as the previous one, thus removing the old scar and leaving only one fine-line scar.
With good surgical technique, it is frequently possible to even do a third procedure in the
same area, still leaving only one fine-line scar.
U n d e r s t a n d i n g H a i r T r a n s p l a n t s a n d H a i r L o s s
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