We mostly hear about hair loss in men, but it happens to women, too – and more than you may think. In fact, women make up nearly half of the number of hair loss sufferers in the United States. If you or someone you know struggles with hair loss, read below; we have gathered some information about the different hair transplant methods available.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) is a form of hair transplant surgery that involves removing a strip of your skin with hair follicles (usually from the back of the head, as it is less prone to balding). Then, the doctor makes very tiny holes in the section of your scalp called the “recipient site,” where the hair is thinning and the grafts need to be placed. The hair follicles are then separated and inserted into the balding parts of the scalp. It can take many hours – multiple procedures, to cover every section. It also leaves a small scar on the back of the head (which is covered by hair). Results are typically seen between six and nine months after surgery.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
The second type of hair transplant procedure is called follicular unit extraction (FUE). This technique is a newer and more popular option. As with FUT, hair follicles have to be harvested from the donor site, but a strip of tissue will not have to be removed from the back of the head. Instead, the hair follicles are individually collected directly from the scalp and inserted into small incisions on the recipient site.
There have been new advancements with the FUE method with a technique called NeoGraft, which is minimally invasive, reduces the procedure time, and increases the take rate of the transplantation. The individual follicles are extracted more gently and then placed on the recipient site.
Do What Is Best For You
We recommend finding a qualified surgeon who works in hair restoration and is well-versed in the various transplant options. They will guide you and answer any questions you might have before moving forward with this type of cosmetic surgery. Know that hair loss isn’t something only men go through, and that you can do something about it.