FUE Vs FUT: Which Hair Transplant Is Best For You?

The main 2 techniques of hair transplant surgery are FUE and FUT. Choosing the right hair transplant technique for you can be hard and requires careful analysis of your shave preferences and how much hair loss you have suffered.

In this article, we compare and contrast the FUE and FUT hair transplant techniques, giving you an insight into which one may be best for you. We’ll look at the characteristics of each technique, how they compare, their pros and cons, and what we have to offer here at The Treatment Rooms London.

Both FUE and FUT hair transplant surgeries are viable methods of surgery for patients who want to restore their hair. We counsel patients around both methods and their pros and cons if it is important to them making an informed decision around their surgery.

Dr Roshan Vara, Hair Transplant Surgeon and Director at The Treatment Rooms London

What is a FUE hair transplant?

The FUE hair transplant technique is the more modern of the two methods. It takes hair grafts from the back of your scalp as individual follicles. This is done using tiny punches before the grafted hair follicles are taken and placed gently in small holes that have been made at the recipient site (where your new hair will grow). This is shown in the video below.

After the process is complete, your scalp will be bandaged for a few days. After initially falling out, your transplanted hair will start to grow back in around three to four months. The final result is seen at 12 months and should last a long time. A full growth timeline can be seen here.

What is a FUT hair transplant?

The FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation, or linear strip excision) technique takes hair grafts by removing a strip of skin from the back of your scalp. This strip is typically several inches long. Once the donor site (where the strip has been taken from) is stitched up, the strip can be split into smaller sections with a surgical tool. These smaller sections are then implanted at the recipient site, and the process of hair renewal will begin. Once transplanted, the follicles will fall out before permanent follicles grow in their place for around three to four months. 

FUE vs FUT: What’s the difference?

Now we’ve outlined how both hair transplant procedures work, the main differences between both procedures is the way in which hair follicles are extracted from the donor area.

In FUE hair transplant surgery the extraction process will leave small pin-point scars scattered across the sides of the scalp. This scarring is often concealed even when hair is cut shorter.

Whereas in FUT hair transplant surgery, patients will be left with a linear scar across the back and sides of the scalp which is concealed when hair is grown a little longer.

Is there a difference in results between FUE and FUT?

Both the FUE and FUT techniques offer the same results in hair regrowth as each other. This can be you can restore hair in a hairline, temples or crown where hair has previously been lost or in an area you previously had no hair.

However, if a significant amount of grafting is required, the FUT technique can deliver better results, due to it typically yielding more hair to transplant in 1 session of surgery.

FUE vs FUT Costs

You can expect the more modern FUE technique to be more expensive than the FUT technique at the majority of hair transplant clinics. The price will also be determined by the extent of the work required. Patients who require a larger number of grafts may find that FUT allows them to stay within their budget. Take a look at our hair transplant costs page for more information. You can also use our graft calculator page to understand how many grafts you are likely to require for your hair transplant.

FUE and FUT Hair Shave Differences

Patients who are conscious about shaving their hair for surgery will need to consider the method of hair transplant surgery carefully. It is often that women and transgender patients who wish to lower their hairline or feminise their hairline don’t want to shave too much hair to achieve their outcome. We are able to perform both unshaven FUE and unshaven FUT hair transplants.

However, for patients who wish to have a large hair transplant without shaving much hair, having an unshaven FUT hair transplant may work better than an unshaven FUE hair transplant.

FUE vs FUT Recovery Differences

Because the FUT technique involves a more invasive procedure, the recovery time is typically longer. While recovery time is around five to seven days with an FUE hair transplant, FUT patients may need to wait from 10 to 15 days to resume all of their daily activities. Furthermore, people who have had a FUT hair transplant need to be especially careful with the stitches at the donor site. 

For more information, please refer to our guide to hair transplant aftercare and recovery.

Is there a difference in success rates between FUE and FUT?

Despite their differences, the success rates of the FUE and FUT hair transplant techniques are similar. How good the final results of your hair transplant are is more dependent on other factors – such as how well the surgeon performs the procedure and aftercare treatment – rather than which technique was used.

Is FUE or FUT hair transplant surgery more painful?

Both procedures use local anaesthesia to numb the scalp so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. It is common for patients who undergo FUE hair transplant surgery to be comfortable after the procedure with very minimal pain reported if at all.

In contrast to FUE, patients who have FUT hair transplant surgery may complain of pain in their donor area that has been stitched. This is common and should subside. Patients are given pain relieving medication to take at home to help reduce their discomfort.

Is FUE or FUT faster to have?

Both techniques can take 6-8 hours to perform. For large sessions of FUT hair transplant surgery, the procedure may take up to 10-12 hours to perform. Both procedures will give you results within 12-18 months of having the surgery.

Does FUE or FUT give more realistic results?

Both FUE and FUT hair transplant techniques give equivalent realistic results for patients. Sometimes our Surgeons will recommend one technique over another for specific requirements and hair types to give a more realistic and denser looking outcome. This is discussed in a detailed consultation with them.

FUE hair transplant pros and cons 

Pros

• Less painful recovery period than FUT
• No stitches required
• No linear scarring
• Short hair is possible without a scar visible
• Donor site heals quicker than FUT

Cons

• Lower yield of hair compared to FUT
• More expensive than FUT
• Larger sections of your scalp (back and sides) will need to be shaved
• A more time-consuming procedure than FUT

FUT hair transplant pros and cons

Pros

• Can be cheaper than FUE
• The procedure takes less time
• Easier to perform larger hair transplant sessions, taking more hair grafts
• Can be more suitable for some younger patients to have a FUT first, and then an FUE if further treatment is required in the future

Cons

• Stitches are required
• Recovery time is longer
• Healing time is longer
• The recovery period is less comfortable
• There is the possibility of visible scarring
• Scars require longer hair to cover them

Which hair transplant technique is best for me?

Every patient is different, and it can be hard to choose the best technique for you. That’s why the team at The Treatment Rooms London is here to help. Our surgeons offer a wealth of experience in performing FUE and FUT hair transplant surgery. They are able to offer counselling for both surgeries and which would be the better option for a patient’s specific requirements.

We offer a consultation so you can meet us in person and ask any questions you may have. We’ll evaluate your hair follicles to determine how many grafts you will need for the procedure, and discuss what the best technique is for you. 

Take peace of mind from the expert level of care provided by The Treatment Rooms London’s experienced hair transplant surgeons. At our hair transplant clinic, situated in the heart of London, you’ll benefit from the most advanced treatments available; performed using state-of-the-art technology. Feel at ease in a welcoming environment with staff dedicated to providing a personalised care experience and going the extra mile. Are you ready for your FUE or FUT hair transplant consultation? Call the experts at The Treatment Rooms London on 020 8706 0076 or use our contact form.