What is a Follicular Unit Transplant?
Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) is also referred to as the strip method. This method involves cutting a linear strip of skin from the back of the head and dissecting it to harvest hair follicles for transplantation.
The FUT method is the old way of performing hair transplants as the large linear scar it leaves at the back of a patient’s head is undesirable.
It has been replaced mostly with the newer method called FUE hair transplant.
What Does FUT Surgery Entail?
Hair is more resistant to balding on the back and sides of the scalp, so follicles are taken from here and transferred to the areas you need it. The hair taken to be grafted must be taken from areas where your hair is permanent and not subject to DHT.
The scalp first has an anaesthetic applied, after which a donor strip of tissue is taken from the scalp. This is then used to prepare grafts for the areas you would like to have hair. Tiny holes are made in the scalp as the grafts are being made. This is where you’ll have your grafts placed.
The arrangement of your grafts is really important, as this will determine the end look. However, this varies from patient to patient. You will have something designed for you based on your history of hair loss and how likely it is you will lose hair again in the future.
The most important part of designing your new look is deciding on the number of grafts you will have placed on your head. This will give maximum aesthetic effect when done correctly. If more than one session should be needed, this will be discussed with you during a consultation. The issue with FUT surgery is that you can get a horizontal scar on your scalp from the donor strip that was cut out.
FUT Surgery VS. FUE Surgery
FUT surgery is still used by some clinics, but it is gradually being replaced in favour of FUE surgery. Healthy follicles are removed from the donor area of the scalp during FUE, and then grafted on to the areas you need them most.
Local anaesthetic is used here, which eliminates some risks associated with other transplant procedures. There will be no scarring that you can detect, and you’ll be able to go back to work the next day. It’ll only take up to 7 days to heal fully.
There’s a much better survival rate with FUE, which is why so many more people are opting for it over FUT. With FUT you may require stitches, but as FUE is a minimally invasive treatment, that won’t be the case. Some patients find the treatment so relaxing that they fall asleep during it!
You’ll be left with a dense, naturally looking head of hair with no way to detect the procedure you’ve had done. The great thing about FUE is that you can also have scars from previous surgeries corrected. You’ll notice immediate results but the best results will come around 12-18 months after your treatment.
Patient Testimonials
Aside from achieving fantastic results, we believe that keeping in touch with our patients before, during and after their hair transplantation procedure is paramount – it helps to keep our patients feeling calm and in control. We’re always on hand to provide guidance, support and aftercare advice. Time and again, our patients tell us that this is what sets us apart from other clinics.
You can read our great reviews of FUE hair transplants over on Google and TrustPilot
WatchTheHorison30/08/2023Welcoming staff. Nurse and doctor was lovely. No issues parking and coffee while you wait.
Mazza Ellerton23/08/2023Great experience. Made to feel really comfortable throughout the whole day and would highly recommend
Tom Francis23/08/2023If you are thinking about it - go for it! Looked after, day went smoothly and worth it - let’s wait and see for the progress.
Louis Robson08/06/2023Great service and advice would dr Mumir was brilliant and full of great advice
John P Ronan30/03/2022Very few can deliver a professional service whilst ensuring that all clients receive first -class personalised treatment, turning what can be a daunting experience into something of relative ease. Both Kevin, Dr Karla, and their surgical team certainly did this (and then some!) Once my mind was made up to have hair loss treatment, I was keen to get my transplant done asap. Kevin exceeded all my expectations with this - it’s hard to believe that my journey from first consultation to surgery happened in the space of one month. Efficiency did not stop there - on the day of surgery, my transplant was completed in less than 6 hours, all the while ensuring that I was comfortable and pain-free. Security is the best word that comes to mind to describe Dr Karla’s care -you know you’re in experienced hands! Now I can look forward to the results over the next few months, with the added peace of mind that the Harley Street Clinic team are only a phone call or email away to address any concerns. They will be the first name I will recommend to anyone looking for effective hair loss treatment, and I hope to make use of their service again in the future should I need it.
Matty B01/03/2022I got a hair transplant and PRP for my hair. Im 19 years old and it’s the best decision I made so far. Manchester hair transplant clinic have been amazing. They were brilliant at welcoming me into getting a hair transplant and amazing at doing the job right. I will defiantly be going to them later on in my life if/when another is needed due to my age. I would highly recommend their service to anyone interested 😊
Bharat Bapodra10/02/2022I was quite scared before going into surgery, but Dr kalra reassured me the procedures were straight forward and easy going. And he was amazing and so were the team. Everyone was polite and professional and I will recommend this team to anybody else :)
Rhys Jones24/01/2022Great experience, Kevin walked me through every step of the process beforehand and helped with any questions I had along the way. Dr. Kalra and the team looked after me on the day which went great. Thanks guys for your help, amazing experience.
Martin Nikolli21/01/2022Was good job from Dr Kalra and the staff were very nice This experience was better than i was thinking about hair transplant And thanks to Kevin 👍
