Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
vs Other Techniques

The Procedure

At present Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is the most advanced, most researched and most widely used method of Hair Transplantation available worldwide. It is the method of choice used by all leading hair restoration surgeons. See International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons ( www.ishrs.com). Follicles occur naturally in the scalp as follicular units and follicular families. What makes FUT so special is it's unique ability to meticulously dissect out these follicular units and follicular families perfectly using powerful stereoscopic microscopes as they occur naturally in the scalp and the placement of these in the bald areas so that the 'new hair' has a perfectly natural appearance which is indistinguishable from non transplanted hair. No other hair restoration technique can achieve this. It is recognised as the Gold Standard of Hair Restoration surgery and is the techniques of choice used by such renowned surgeons as Dr. Ron Shapro, USA (Golden Follicle award recipient 2004 and co author of the 4th. edition of the textbook 'Hair Transplantation' 2004), Dr. David Seager, Canada (Golden Follicle award recipient 2001), Dr. Bessam Farjo, England (founder of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons),Dr. Jennifer Martinick, Perth,Australia (Platinum Follicle award recipient 2003) and many more.

Other major advantages of this technique are:

1. The patient can leave the surgery after the procedure with little or no visible signs of the procedure having taken place. This is due to the fact that, unlike individual graft extraction techniques, large area of the scalp does not have to be shaved.
2. Faster recovery time due to, little or no discomfort, no post operative swelling etc.
3. Quicker return to work and social life.
4. Large procedures (mega sessions) can be carried out.

Other techniques of Hair Transplantation usually involve the attempted removal of individual follicles blindly, without the use of stereoscopic microscopes. The most common of these techniques is Follicular Unit Extraction. (FUE). Some businesses and franchises, not owned or managed by doctors (Non DOL clinics see 'Choosing a Doctor and Clinic') have developed a variation of the FUE technique with varying results. Kiely Healthcare does not recommend these variation techniques. Although indivdual extraction techniques have some important uses especially in small hair transplant sessions, where donor hair is very limited, for transplantation body hair and for specific cases such as eyebrows it must be carried out by very experienced, renowned surgeons who have long experience in these techniques. (See ISHRS for these doctors). Kiely Healthcare does not recommend the variation of Follicular Unit Extraction carried out by business franchises.

The major disadvantages of Follicular Unit Extraction and other individual extraction techniques is that:

1. Large areas of scalp must be shaved and the patient cannot disguise this when leaving the surgery.
2. Stereoscopic microscopes are not used.
3. They are unsuitable for moderate to large sessions.
4. They leave a scarred scalp with a 'golf ball effect'-see Fig.2 below.

Below we compare FUT and Individual Extraction Techniques:

Comparison Table

FOLLICULAR UNIT TRANSPLANTATION (FUT)		INDIVIDUAL GRAFT EXTRACTION TECHNIQUES
Advantages		Advantages
Head not shaved: Donor area undetectable on leaving the clinic. (See Fig. 1 below) 6 months later: Fine line scar under the hairline. Practically undetectable. (See Fig. 1 below) Greater graft yield: 30% greater graft yield due to use of stereoscopic microscopes. Used by all leading Hair Transplant surgeons and clinics worldwide. Gold Standard of Hair Transplantation. Large Sessions: Up to 2,000 grafts (5,000 hairs) transplanted at one session.	Small Procedures: Useful for very small, 'one off' transplants. Body Hair: Useful where body hair (chest hair, pubic hair and armpit hair) is to be used.
Disadvantages	Disadvantages
Gold Standard: This procedure has been developed and refined over the past 10 years and is the Gold Standard of Hair Transplantation. At this point in time it has no stateable disadvantages.	Head shaved: Donor area covered with numerous 0.8mm punch incisions visible on leaving the clinic. (See Fig. 2 below) 6 months later: Golf ball effect: numerous white spot scars from where punch type grafts were taken. (See Fig. 2 below) 'Golf ball effect' Graft Loss and damage: High risk of graft damage. Up to 30% graft loss and damage. As grafts are removed under naked vision without the use of stereoscopic microscopes. Not Widely Used: Used by a minority of clinics. Small Procedures: Up to 600 grafts (1,500 hairs) transplanted at one session. Useful for small procedures mainly.

Follicular Unit Transplantation: Fig. 1

Individual Graft Extraction Techniques: Fig. 2