Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) hair transplants are reliable procedures that produce excellent, long-lasting results. Here at FUE, we are a specialist hair transplant clinic, and our experts have carried out over 10,000 hair transplants across the UK. Restore your hair loss and boost your confidence today.
What is a FUT hair transplant?
Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) hair transplants are one of the two key methods of extracting hair follicles from one part of the body and implanting them in an area where the hair is thinning or falling out. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is the other primary hair transplant procedure.
A FUT hair transplant is a procedure which involves precision and expert knowledge. Using cutting-edge surgical instruments, our specialist team of surgeons remove a thin strip of skin from the back of the head, extract follicular units directly from the strip and place them into tiny incisions made in the scalp.
The procedure takes around 8 hours to complete, but this will vary depending on the severity of the patient's hair loss and the number of grafts that need to be transplanted. The recovery time for FUT surgery is very manageable — usually lasting between 10-12 days. You’ll begin to see results after a few months, with your hair becoming thicker and stronger between 6-12 months.
I have trouble describing how good it makes me feel.Simon
FUT Hair Transplant: Step by Step
A FUT hair transplant is a delicate procedure, so it will usually take a full day to complete. You can expect a day in surgery to be as follows.
Hair transplant prep
The first step in FUT hair transplantation is to prepare the scalp for surgery. This is done by trimming the hair at the back of your head (the donor area) that will be removed during surgery. Shaving the full head is not necessary as it is for an FUE hair transplant.
The injections
Once you’re prepped for surgery, your surgeon will inject the donor area with a local anaesthetic. While this may cause minor discomfort, it will numb your scalp, enabling the extraction stage to be carried out painlessly.
Removing the donor area
Once the donor area is receptive to no pain or discomfort, the surgeon will cut out the thin strip of skin, ready for the hair follicles to be extracted. This part of the procedure requires a great deal of diligence and precision from our expert surgeons to ensure that no follicles are damaged.
Extracting the grafts
After the scalp strip has been removed, it will be placed under a microscope and divided into pieces, containing 1 to 4 hairs (hair grafts). The number of grafts needed will depend on the extent of your hair loss and desired results, however, our surgeons will always try and extract as many grafts as possible from those available. These grafts will be later transplanted as new hair.
Closing the scalp
Next, the surgeon will close the extraction site with sutures, using a specialist tool called a trichophytic. The process will involve an internal stitch to eliminate tension in the donor area, followed by an external stitch. This stitch will leave you with a linear scar on the back of your head, but this will not be visible unless you have very short hair.
Incisions
At this stage of the FUT hair transplant, your surgeon will once again administer local anaesthetic — this time where the hair will be transplanted (also known as the recipient area). Then, a small number of micro-incisions on your scalp will be made, in areas where hair follicles are to be implanted.
Placing the grafts
Once the incisions have been made, hair follicles will be manually inserted one at a time into the thinning or balding areas of your scalp. Your surgeon will do this in a pattern that appears natural and in keeping with your natural hair growth.
After this process is complete, your surgeon will apply bandages to your head for protection and you will be provided with aftercare instructions. Following this guidance is critical for speeding up the recovery process and achieving the best results.
Our Surgeons
Dr. Steve StangoniFUE Hair Transplant Surgeon
I understand the true impact a great hair transplant can have.
Dr. Steve Stangoni is a renowned hair transplant surgeon specialising in Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) since 2014 at FUE Clinics. With a background marked by personal experiences of hair loss and a medical degree from the University of Southampton, he offers empathetic, expert care. Registered with the GMC since 2009, Dr. Stangoni combines his expertise in general practice and hair transplantation to provide comprehensive patient care.
A committed member of ISHRS and SITRI, he actively engages with the latest developments in hair restoration. Dr. Stangoni’s approach is patient-centered, aiming for natural-looking results and understanding the psychological effects of hair loss. Fluent in both English and Italian, he connects with a diverse patient base. Outside the clinic, he enjoys adventurous and creative outdoor activities.
After the procedure, your surgeon will give you clear instructions on how to care for your scalp. The first couple of weeks after the hair transplant are the most crucial for achieving the best results, so following your surgeon's advice is very important.
Within the first two weeks, you are encouraged to avoid exercise and washing your hair. Taking time away from work to rest is also advised. Keeping your head elevated on a few pillows — especially while you’re sleeping — and avoiding touching your scalp during the first week after your operation will reduce swelling and the risk of infection. Although stitches are dissolvable, we recommend removing them within 10 to 14 days after the procedure. This will provide a much more comfortable experience.
Your doctor will go over the aftercare information with you after your surgery and our team are only a phone call away if you have any concerns — or if you just want to update us on your progress.
For more in-depth information on hair transplant aftercare, read our blog.
Am I Suitable for a Hair Transplant?
Although you may be interested in having a FUT hair transplant, it isn’t suited to everyone. The extent of your hair loss, your expectations of the surgery, and the amount of donor hair you have available are all factors which must be taken into consideration.
The most accurate way to determine your suitability is to book a free hair transplant consultation with your chosen clinic. A trained surgeon will evaluate your situation and give you expert, honest advice.
If you’d like to gather some more information to better understand the details of hair restoration, along with what options are available to you; book a consultation with your nearest FUE Clinics centre today. Otherwise, take a look at our hair transplant finance and repayment options.
FAQ's
One of the most common questions surrounding hair transplants is the price. Although you may be looking for a definitive price, the cost of a FUT hair transplant varies from patient to patient due to individual expectations and requirements. Therefore, a consultation with one of our specialists is needed to determine a price. For more information on how we calculate costs at FUE Clinics, visit our pricing page.
Thankfully, no, a hair transplant is not a painful procedure. Your surgeon will inject a local anaesthetic to numb your scalp during the procedure. However, this doesn’t mean there is no discomfort. Side effects such as swelling, minor bleeding, and itchiness may occur after surgery, but this is temporary and very brief.
The short answer is yes. As a FUT transplant involves removing a narrow strip of scalp from the donor area, there will be a small linear scar as a result. This will only be visible, however, if you plan on keeping your hair very short. If you want to find out more about hair transplant scars, read our blog.
The main difference between the two methods is the harvesting technique. FUE involves removing individual hair follicles, while FUT extracts the follicles within a strip of skin which is removed from the back of the head. Both methods achieve the same outcomes, but a FUT hair transplant will result in a thin linear scar on the back of your head, whereas FUE surgery results in various pin-hole-like scars.
There are no long-term side effects of having a FUT transplant, other than a small linear scar on the donor area. During the first few weeks of your recovery period after the procedure, however, you may experience a swollen, bleeding or itchy scalp — common with surgical procedures of this nature.
FUT hair transplants are a permanent solution to hair loss or thinning. If your hair transplant is carried out by an expert surgeon — like our specialists at FUE Clinics — your transplant should last you a lifetime.
You should avoid exercise for at least a few weeks after your transplant. Exercising before this will increase your heart rate, raising your blood pressure and therefore your chance of bleeding on the recipient areas of your scalp. Excessive swelling is also a risk, which could result in infection. Therefore, to get the best results and speed up recovery after your hair transplant, it’s best to avoid exercise.
Although every patient’s experience is different, you will likely see new hairs beginning to emerge within three months. By the 12-month mark, most hair follicles should have penetrated through the scalp. Having strengthened and thickened.
England
Birmingham
Unit 3, Topaz Business Park, Topaz Way, Bromsgrove, Birmingham, B61 0GD
0121 745 7585
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