FUT and FUE

FOLLICULAR UNIT TRANSPLANTATION (FUT)

Follicular Unit Transplantation is the most exciting, up to-date form of Hair Transplant available worldwide.

Hair grows naturally in bundles of 1, 2 3 & 4 hairs per bundle. These hairs, along with their associated structures are known as the Follicular Unit.

Hair usually grows abundantly at the back and sides of the head because the hair follicles here are not influenced by the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is from these areas that 'donor' hair follicles are taken (i.e. from the 'donor' area). During FUT this healthy hair bearing tissue is removed in a strip. The donor area is closed with a fine suture. The healthy hair follicles are then identified, as they occur naturally, in groups of 1, 2, 3 and 4 hairs using powerful stereoscopic microscopes.

By meticulously dissecting and trimming the Follicular Units the doctor and the medical team ensure that the grafts are comprised of healthy intact hair follicles as they naturally occur in the scalp. This method has 2 distinct advantages:

Firstly, by transplanting grafts that contain naturally occurring follicular units (Follicular Unit Grafts - FUG's) the doctor can ensure that, when transplanted, the grafts will produce hair which grows naturally, replicating the appearance of natural hair growth.

Secondly, because this microscopic method of dissection is so specific, graft damage and wastage is minimal, resulting in a 30% greater graft yield.

During the planting of the grafts single hair follicular unit grafts form the frontal hairline for maximum cosmetic and aesthetic effect (also known as 'dense packing'). Behind the first three or four rows the surgeon progresses to 2 hair Follicular Units for increased density while maintaining cosmetic appearance. Well back from the hairline 3 hair follicular unit grafts are used to create more density while totally avoiding the old 'dolls head' effect.

There are 4 steps in Follicular Unit Transplantation.

Step 1 Graft Removal
The donor area is 'frozen' (numbed) using local anaesthetic. Hair bearing tissue is removed painlessly.

Step 2 Slivering
The hair bearing tissue is divided into slivers approximately 1mm thick.

Step 3 Microscopic Dissection
The slivers are dissected using stereoscopic microscopes into Follicular Unit Grafts (FUG's) containing 1,2, 3 and 4 hairs per graft.

Step 4 Placement
Tiny openings are made in the recipient area. The Follicular Unit Grafts are transplanted into these openings. Grafts containing 1 hair are placed in the frontal hairline. Grafts containg 2 hairs are placed behind these and so on to create a very natural appearance.

Old techniques of Hair Transplantation used 4mm diameter cylinders of hair bundles which cut through the healthy hair and usually led to a 'doll's head', 'corn crow' or 'toothbrush' effect. These old methods are now obsolete. Follicular Unit Transplantation is an excellent procedure to repair the 'dolls head' effect of old punch graft techniques.
It is important to note that Follicular Unit Transplantation does not create new hair but re-distributes existing healthy hair from the back of your head (called the recipient area) to the thinning or bald area. The hair grows naturally and for life.

It is important to note that Follicular Unit Transplantation does not create new hair but re-distributes existing healthy hair from the back of the head (called the recipient area) to the thinning or bald area. The hair grows naturally and for life. 

FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION (FUE)

In certain patients the donor hair grafts are removed individually using a special instrument. Grafts are transplanted as above. This is known as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).