FUT Hair Transplant

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FUT in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hair loss isn’t inevitable. If you look at your family tree and see balding everywhere, turn to hair transplantation and break the cycle of premature hair loss. You can’t change your genetics, but you still have options to restore your hairline and stop hair loss.

There are many different hair transplantation techniques. One of the first mainstream methods used for hair restoration is follicular unit transplantation, or FUT. Could FUT help restore your hairline?

FUT remains a popular hair transplantation approach, though skilled doctors now perform it less frequently than newer methods like FUE. Currently, about 75% of patients are choosing FUE techniques so they can wear their hair shorter and have less recovery time and scarring.

Many people call FUT the strip method because it involves harvesting a long strip of hair-bearing tissue from the back of the head. An experienced hair transplant surgeon will divide this tissue strip into grafts by cutting apart each hair follicle, then placing them into balding areas like the front and top of the scalp.

What Are the Benefits of the Strip Method?

The linear strip method of hair transplantation has helped many patients regain a full and natural-looking hairline. Patients who choose this procedure often do so because of advantages like these. While FUT has many pros, there are a few downsides to this hair transplantation technique. It is more invasive than FUE and leaves a long scar across the back of the head. FUT also requires an extensive recovery period, with several activity limitations that may feel restrictive to patients with an active lifestyle. For example, while you heal, you must avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, swimming, and other pursuits. Additionally, there is a risk of sensory nerve damage that can be painful to sleep on as well as a scar that has spread. Dr. Malhotra can explain to you his personal experience with the FUT procedure.

Quickly harvest many grafts

Since FUT is one of the fastest options for harvesting multiple grafts, it’s ideal for patients with extensive hair loss. With FUT, a hair transplant surgeon can harvest and place more than 3,000 grafts in a single procedure. If a patient desires a very large procedure in one sitting, then FUT is still a viable option.

Ability to create significant hair density

Because surgeons specializing in FUT procedures can quickly harvest so many grafts, they can use them to produce considerable hair density.

Effective for men and women

Patients of all gender identities can benefit from FUT hair transplantation.

Who Is a Candidate for FUT Hair Transplantation?

Hair transplantation helps many men and women restore the appearance of a full and youthful hairline. Since FUT can leave a linear scar on the back of the head, it is usually best for patients who enjoy longer hairstyles. An inch or two of hair can cover the scar, making it less visible. The FUE procedure allows most patients to go down to a 1 or 2 guard which is common in many modern hair styles.

You may be a good candidate for FUT or other types of hair transplantation if you have the following characteristics.

You are at least 25 years old

Hair loss in younger patients is less predictable, so Dr. Malhotra recommends waiting until at least 25 for your first hair transplantation procedure.

You experience pattern hair loss

FUT works best when patients lose their hair in an obvious shape, as with male pattern baldness. Pattern hair loss allows us to harvest grafts from areas of the scalp that are resistant to loss and place them in balding areas.

You are in good overall health

Patients do not need perfect health to qualify for hair transplantation, but it is crucial to be healthy enough for the stresses associated with surgery and recovery. You should have any chronic medical conditions well-controlled. Dr. Malhotra will discuss your medical history with you to make sure surgery is a safe option for you.

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Tailored To You

Balance Hair Restoration is the leading hair restoration center in Michigan. With advanced hair restoration techniques and a double board-certified plastic surgeon, Balance Hair Restoration has a reputation for creating some of the most natural-looking results in the state. Discover why men and women from across Michigan choose us for hair transplantation by scheduling a consultation.

What Happens During FUT Surgery?

Dr. Malhotra does not perform FUT surgery. If you decide this hair restoration option is the best choice for you, we can help you with a referral to one of our trusted colleagues. We want our patients to have the best treatment options for their situation and we are happy to refer to another doctor if it would be a better fit.

Though we do not offer FUT, we are familiar with the process and will highlight some key points below.

Preparing for surgery

Planning is an essential part of hair transplantation. Before your procedure, you’ll meet with your surgeon to prepare for extracting enough grafts from a discreet area, usually the lower back of the scalp. Your surgical team may shave the hair there down to stubble length to prepare for surgery. Your surgeon will also mark areas of the scalp to aid with the transplantation process and cleanse the scalp with an antibiotic wash to reduce the chances of infection.

Local anesthetic

Applying a local anesthetic to the harvest site will reduce discomfort during the extraction process.

Removing the tissue strip

Your surgeon will use a scalpel to remove a long strip of tissue from the back of the scalp. This strip is usually less than 1.5 cm wide and can be several centimeters long. The surgeon will close the incision using stitches or staples.

Dividing the tissue

Technicians divide the tissue strip into grafts, carefully counting to ensure they create the desired number of grafts.

Implanting

After preparing the grafts, your surgeon will numb your scalp with an anesthetic, then place each graft through a small incision. This process requires the detail-oriented placement of each graft at a specific angle and depth for a natural-looking result.

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Learn More About Your Options for Hair Transplantation at Balance Hair Restoration

If you’re considering FUT hair transplantation, come visit Balance Hair Restoration for a consultation with our double board-certified plastic surgeon and hair restoration expert Dr. Malhotra. As a hair transplantation patient himself, Dr. Malhotra can help you understand your options for hair restoration.

Learn more about FUT and FUE hair transplantation by calling (734) 913-5100 or reach out online to get started.

FAQ: FUT Hair Transplants

What are the alternatives to FUT hair transplantation?

FUT is only one of several options for restoring your hairline. Alternatives to FUT include manual FUE, NeoGraft, and ARTAS robotic hair transplantation.

Does Dr. Malhotra offer FUT?

FUT hair transplantation is not available at Balance Hair Restoration. If Dr. Malhotra determines this treatment option is best for you, he will happily refer you to a trusted colleague who specializes in this procedure.

How much does FUT cost in Michigan?

FUT is often one of the most cost-effective options for patients who require many grafts. This surgery typically costs about $5 per graft for patients receiving large-session FUT.

Will I have scars after FUT?

FUT creates a long scar located at the back of the scalp. Some patients view this scar as a downside, but your hair will grow in to conceal it. If patients wear a longer hairstyle, the scarring from FUT is not typically visible.

Can I have short hair after FUT?

FUT works best for patients who prefer to wear their hair longer. An inch or two of hair at the back of the head helps hide any scarring from this procedure.

Is FUT hair transplant painful?

Similar to any other surgery, FUT hair transplant surgery can cause some pain during recovery. But you can manage this discomfort with medications prescribed to you by your surgeon. Since the surgery is performed under anesthesia, you should not feel any pain during the procedure itself.

Is FUE hair transplant better than FUT?

FUE hair transplant brings certain benefits to the patient, such as little to no scars, shorter recovery time, and the ability to wear your hair very short after the procedure. But the FUT technique is more suitable for patients who need more than 3,000 hair grafts in a single session to achieve a full head of hair.

After a detailed consultation, Dr. Malhotra can suggest which method is more suitable for your desired results. As we do not perform FUT hair transplants at Balance Hair Restoration, Dr. Malhotra will recommend a trusted colleague if he believes the FUT method will better suit your unique situation.

How soon can you see results after an FUT hair transplant?

After your FUT hair transplant, you may need a week to 10 days for your surgery site to heal. A few weeks after your surgery, your newly transplanted hair may start falling out. However, this is part of the normal process. After experiencing this effect, your hair will start growing back in the next few weeks. It may take approximately 3 to 6 months for your hair to grow to a noticeable length after an FUT hair transplant.

Does your hair fall after FUT transplant?

It is normal to experience your grafted hair falling out in four to six weeks after your FUT transplant. However, this process does not negatively affect your results. In another four to six weeks, your grafted hair may start to grow back and provide you with your desired outcome. Typically, grafted hair may grow at the pace of up to half an inch per month.