Hair Transplantation with FUT Technique
What is FUT Hair Transplantation?
The FUT Technique for hair transplantation was discovered and implemented by Dr. Bernstein in 1955. Dr. Bernstein introduced this technique to the world through his article titled Follicular Transplantation, making it well-known and widespread globally. The FUT technique for Hair Transplantation significantly outpaced its predecessor hair transplant methods by introducing minimicro grafting.
Hair Transplantation with the FUT Technique refers to the process where hair follicles are extracted from the back of the scalp, a region unaffected by hair loss, in a strip format. These extracted follicles are then carefully dissected under microscopes into follicular units containing 2 or 3 hair strands without causing any harm to the hair’s integrity. These units, being more abundant and undamaged compared to hair follicles prepared through the classic micro-mini graft technique, allow for a denser and healthier hair transplantation. As a result, patients can regain a thick and healthy hair structure.
As scientifically known, all hairs on the scalp grow in small clusters called follicular units. An adult’s scalp consists of follicular units made up of full-thickness (1-4 terminal) hair follicles. In areas of the scalp affected by hereditary genetic hair loss, these healthy terminal hairs are gradually replaced by so-called “miniaturized” hairs, which are hairs that have shrunk in volume and structure, are finer, shorter, and smaller in size. Follicular units give the impression of growing together on the surface of the scalp as small hair groups.
How Are Follicular Units Obtained for Hair Transplantation?
Using the FUT Technique, the “hair density” of follicular units per cm2 is previously counted and measured to obtain the appropriate amount of hair for the area where the hair transplantation will be performed. The purpose of this measurement is to obtain the necessary strip to achieve the desired hair length. In the subsequent stage, grafts are surgically removed from the back of the scalp with the intervention of an expert doctor. To ensure the follicular unit is not damaged, the tissue is removed in one piece. This technique is a quite important feature of follicular unit transplantation. Not only are the follicular units preserved, but it also prevents individual hair follicles from getting damaged (cut). The most significant difference of this technique from the mini-micrografting technique is that it does not allow for the fragmentation of follicular units and unacceptably cutting of hair follicles by using multi-bladed knives. Closure of the Donor Area and Resulting Scar The part from which the strip is taken is sutured shut with special surgical threads. These stitches will be removed after 15 days. The scar resulting from the hair transplant operation will not be noticeable at all unless you have your hair cut very short. As this method does not disrupt the natural integrity of the head and hair structure, the result obtained is also quite natural and healthy.
Circumstances When the FUT Technique Should Be Preferred:
- Patients who do not have their hair cut shorter than 0.5 cm or zero-length.
- Patients who have limited time and want to have hair transplantation with a shorter operation.
They can benefit from the hair transplantation operation with this technique.
Advantages of the FUT Technique Over Other Techniques:
- The FUT technique is the method where the most hair follicles are transplanted in the shortest time.
- When there is a need for more hair follicles for the patient, it can be combined with other techniques on the same day (FUT + FUE Technique).
- Since hair groups are not damaged in their natural structure in this technique, maximum growth is achieved.
- It allows the channels for hair transplantation to be smaller. This results in the transplantation being as close to natural and denser. The small size of the channels does not disrupt blood circulation, so rapid growth is observed in the transplanted hairs.
- In the FUT method, which is performed under stereoscopic microscopes, the tissue outside the hair is shaved without damaging the unit and discarded. In this way, grafts containing only undamaged tissue and pure hair can be prepared. The grafts prepared in this way can be directed as desired as they mimic the natural posture of the hair.
- In the FUT technique, channels are opened in very thin lines called slits. With this slit technique, it is possible to enter between existing hairs without damaging the surrounding hair follicles. Therefore, it is very easy to densify in hairs that have not completely fallen out.
The fact that FUT Technique requires a surgical procedure for hair transplantation means that it is a technique that necessarily requires stitching. In the event of short haircuts, stitch marks can be seen as a thin line on the back of the neck, which is a disadvantage of this technique.