FAQ

Ans: If done properly and in the right patient, all hair transplant surgeries (FUE and FUT) are permanent. The grafts we transplant are immune to the hormone (Dihydrotestosterone or DHT) that causes the rest of the hair to fall out. When we move them, they retain this immunity and will grow indefinitely.

Ans- There is very little pain involved with FUE or FUT surgery. Typically the only discomfort felt throughout the day comes from the numbing shots given in the morning. Once the scalp has been numbed, the patient should not feel anything else the entire day. If he/she does, the doctor will be altered and more numbing medication will be administered. There is very little post-operative pain as well, and this is treated with pain medications (only for the night of surgery) that will be prescribed.

At our office, FUE is $10 per graft. Costs for both FUE and FUT surgery can be reviewed here: fellermedical.com/hair-transplant/costs

The main difference between the two surgeries is the harvesting method. During an FUT or “strip” procedure, a small section of tissue (a “strip” or linear ellipse) is removed and the resulting area is immediately closed with suture or staples. This will heal down into a fine line that will be completely hidden by the patient’s hair — even with short hair. The strip is then put under high powered microscopes and expertly dissected down into the follicular unit grafts. These grafts are then placed individually in the recipient area. During an FUE, small “punch” tools of less than 1mm diameter are used to individually cut around each graft in the donor area. The graft is then gripped with forceps and traction is applied until the graft is free. These little holes left behind will heal into small dot scars. The grafts are examined under microscopes and then implanted into the recipient area in the same manner as an FUT procedure.

Yes, the hair shafts in the newly implanted grafts will shed between post-op week 2-6 on average. This is only the hair shafts shedding and not the hair follicles. The hair follicles are safely under the surface and will wake up and begin to grow new hair started at 3 months post-op.

Much has been written about this subject and there is a detailed page describing the differences on our website. In summary, however, the difference between the two procedures “boils down to:” difference in harvesting and the resulting scarring: FUT will leave a linear scar in the back whereas FUE will leave hundreds to thousands of small dot scars; difference in graft numbers that can be safely harvested in a sitting: FUT allows for more grafts to be harvested safely at a time; difference in growth yield: FUT has a higher growth yield on average compared to FUE; ability to do more surgery at a later date: FUT causes less damage in the donor area and puts the patient in a more certain situation if additional surgery is required down the road. Generally, young patients with uncertain futures, patients with advanced loss requiring high graft numbers and multiple procedures, and patients with average to below average donor areas are best suited for FUT. Those with minimal loss requiring smaller graft numbers, those needing work outside of the visible hairline region, those with excellent donor areas, and patients who are looking to “test the waters” with a small surgery are likely good candidates for FUE.

No, once a follicle is removed from the donor region, it’s gone. It does not regenerate. It will, however, continue to grow and thrive where it is transplanted. Remember, hair transplant surgery is simply a moving procedure: we are taking strong, healthy follicles from the donor area and moving them to the bald/thinning regions. The donor area is finite and must be used wisely.

There really is no “best” method; it depends on the patient’s needs and goals. You will need to speak with a qualified hair restoration physician to understand your options and what may be best for your specific case.