Hair Transplants: All You Need To Know About FUE and FUT

A hair transplant involves healthy hair follicles being removed from a healthy area of your scalp and implanted into the balding area. Many people wonder, ‘is a hair transplant permanent?’ Although it’s a very effective treatment, it isn’t a permanent cure for hair loss. (11) However, if your question is, ‘will a hair transplant last’, the answer is yes. The transplanted hairs will continue producing hair. Unfortunately, the non-transplanted hairs around them can continue to be affected by hair loss, which is why you may eventually need further procedures.  

After a hair transplant, it will typically take 3 to 4 months to see hair growth. In the first 2 to 8 weeks after surgery, you will likely experience shedding at the transplantation site. Initial, temporary shedding is normal, and hair will grow back thicker and healthier. (12) You will likely continue to see growth and an improvement in hair quality for up to 18 months. (3)

How long the hair transplant lasts will depend on the type of hair loss you suffer from, among other factors. Androgenetic alopecia, also known as pattern hair loss or pattern baldness, is the most common form of hair loss. It’s a progressive condition, which means you might continue to lose hair from areas outside of the transplant area even following your transplant. The transplanted hairs will generally not be lost. (11) 

Most people will need additional surgeries to touch up any further hair loss they experience and maintain their desired hair density. People often use other hair loss treatments after surgery to help them maintain their growth, such as minoxidil solution. (11) 

In general, the transplanted follicles should continue to produce hair as other follicles would. However, they have a similar lifespan to other hair follicles, which means they may gradually stop making as much hair. Some patients may choose to have additional hair transplants over time, while others may be happy with the results they’ve achieved from one. (11) 

Hair transplants implant hair follicles in balding areas of the head to tackle hair loss. With natural hair transplants, hair is taken from a healthy area of the scalp and transplanted. Fake hair transplants implant synthetic hair into the balding area. 

Real hair transplants are approved as safe and typically have positive outcomes, increasing hair growth and hair density for most patients. (2) On the other hand, fake hair transplants are not approved by the FDA. (7) They were banned in the USA due to potential adverse side effects, including recurrent infection, allergic reactions, cyst formations, and more. (7) 

Fake hair transplants are more likely to shed and can’t regenerate, so they need frequent replacement. They’re also less likely to look natural. (7) While they could provide a treatment option for those with more significant balding who don’t have enough healthy hair follicles for transplant,  a real hair transplant is generally safer and more effective. (7,8) 

Some patients are advised to use additional medication to maximize hair growth after a hair transplant. Minoxidil is a popular hair loss medication that works by increasing blood flow to the scalp. It widens the blood vessels and allows thicker, healthier hair strands to grow. (13) 

Minoxidil is used twice a day topically and has proven results in increasing hair growth. (13) Minoxidil is sometimes used both before and after hair transplantation to maximize results. When used in this way, it helps minimize hair loss and encourages hair growth. (13) 

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an increasingly popular treatment for hair loss, especially when used with hair transplants. Plasma refers to a non-cellular component of the blood that plays a part in many vital processes, including aiding natural healing. PRP injections use the natural growth factors found within a patient’s own platelets to encourage healing and growth. (4,14) 

PRP acts on the hair follicles’ stem cells. It contains growth factors that promote the development of new follicles and encourage hair growth. (14) When used during and after hair transplantation, PRP can increase hair growth and improve hair health. (14) 

Hair transplant surgery typically takes between 4 and 8 hours, depending on how much hair you have transplanted. A local anesthetic is given, which means you’ll be awake during surgery but can’t feel any pain. (12) 

The exact procedure will determine the duration of the surgery and your recovery time. In FUT (follicular unit transplantation), hair is extracted by removing a strip of skin, then isolating the hair follicles. In follicular unit excision (FUE), hair follicles are individually taken from the scalp using a small punch tool. (3,12) Healthy hair follicles are then implanted into the balding area of the scalp, known as the recipient site. (2) FUT is generally a shorter procedure than FUE. 

In both cases, the recipient site is prepared using very fine blades or needles to create areas where the healthy hair follicles will be placed. These sites will be arranged carefully so that the hair grows in a natural pattern. (2) 

Depending on the individual, recovering from a hair transplant surgery will typically take between ten days and three weeks. Patients will be given specific aftercare instructions to help them heal as quickly and safely as possible. (1) This will typically involve keeping the area slightly moist to prevent scabbing, avoiding showering for the first couple of days, and avoiding itching the scalp. A follow-up with the doctor will likely occur after 7 days, and any sutures will be removed. You will gradually be able to return to normal activities. (1,2) 

Your hair transplant timeline may differ, but in general, you should start to see hair growth between 3 and 4 months after your transplant. Peak growth and hair quality occur after between 9 and 18 months. (3) 

Currently, two main hair transplant methods are used: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit excision (FUE). In general, FUT is cheaper because it’s less labor-intensive and time-consuming. 

In the UK, FUT hair transplant cost averages £3.50 to £4 per graft. In the USA, FUT can cost anywhere between $2 and $10. In Canada, FUT prices range from CA$2.50 to CA$7.00 per graft. In South Asia, the price averages Indian Rs. 65. In Australia, FUT costs an average of AU$3. 

Of the two main hair transplant methods (follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit excision (FUE)), FUE is generally more expensive. It takes more time and skill to carry out the procedure. However, it can also have a quicker recovery time, yield smaller hair transplant marks, and generally produce better results. (2) 

In the UK, FUE costs average at £5 per graft. In the USA, prices range from $2 to $10, depending on the clinic. In South Asia, the price averages Rs. 65. In Australia, FUE averages AUD$4.60 per graft. In Canada, FUE prices range from CAD$7 to CAD$8 per graft.

Artificial hair transplants surgically place synthetic into balding areas of the scalp. The FDA banned them in the USA due to potential adverse effects and safety issues. Possible side effects include infection, allergic reactions, skin irritations, cysts, and more. (7,8) However, synthetic transplants are occasionally used with improved Biofibre material for some types of alopecia. (20) 

While fake hair transplants may initially be cheaper, they’re far more likely to need to be replaced regularly, increasing cost over the long term. This is due to damage and shedding. While your hair keeps growing, artificial hair will not. Overall, natural hair transplants are far more cost-efficient and safer. (7,8)

Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) is a hair transplant method. During FUT, the surgeon extracts a strip of skin containing healthy hair follicles from the side or back of the patient’s head. (2) 

FUT is generally more cost-effective than other methods as it’s less time-consuming and labor-intensive. This also means that the surgery may take less time. (16) Some people feel that FUT provides a higher quality of grafts and potentially produces a higher quantity of grafts. (18) 

FUT does have some cons, including leaving a long linear scar which is more visible than other methods. This procedure may be less suitable if the patient prefers to wear their hair short. (12) FUT also causes more pain and has a longer recovery time than other methods. (2,12,17) 

Follicular unit excision (FUE) is a hair transplant method using a small, round punch tool to extract individual hair follicle units. (2) FUE produces high-quality grafts and leaves more minor scars that are less noticeable. There is a shorter recovery time and less pain with FUE than with other methods. (2,12,17)

However, FUE requires a lot more skill and takes more time than other procedures. Since mistakes may be more likely, it requires a very skilled, experienced surgeon. (16) FUE also tends to be more expensive than other types of hair follicle surgery, making it less accessible for some patients. (16)

The choice between follicular unit transplantation (FUT), follicular unit excision (FUE), and a fake hair transplant is personal. Each method has pros and cons, so it’s crucial you do your research to decide what’s best for you. 

Overall, FUE produces high-quality grafts and leaves more minor scars, which means a shorter recovery time. It’s also typically less painful than FUT. However, FUE is more expensive than FUT, so for some, FUT may be a more realistic option. (2,12,17) 

In general, FUE and FUT are understood to be safer and more effective than a fake hair transplant. This is because fake hair transplants have more serious potential side effects such as recurrent infection, allergies, and cysts. (7,8) Each hair implant is also more likely to degrade, become damaged, and need to be replaced compared to real hair.

 Fake hair can be combined with natural hair using FUE or FUT methods to achieve desired hair density. This can be useful for patients who don’t have an appropriate donor area for a full FUE or FUT surgery. (19) However, since artificial hair is more likely to degrade or need to be replaced, this may not be an appropriate method. It’s also important to consider that while the patient’s natural hair will continue to grow, the artificial hair will not, leading to uneven hair. (7,8)

It’s important to mention that the FDA does not approve fake hair transplants. However, they may occasionally be used with an updated Biofibre for some types of alopecia. (20) They’re also used in other countries outside of America, although natural hair transplants are generally considered a safer option. 

Artificial transplants have been trialed on patients with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. Initial results show this could be a valid treatment option, but more research is needed. Fake hair transplants have also shown promise for replacing hair in areas affected by burns and post-traumatic scars. (21)