In a Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) a strip of donor scalp is removed from the back of the scalp and the defect closed with either stitches or staples. It leaves a linear scar on the back of the scalp that, in most cases, is barely noticeable. If, however, you want to trim your hair very close, the scar may show. This dissuades many young candidates from having this type of procedure.

The Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method eliminates the linear scar and substitutes very fine dots after the individual grafts are removed, and unless the head is completely shaved, they will never be noticed. Most people who have had both types of transplants prefer the FUE method because the post-op healing seems to be easier.

Another factor for some choosing FUE is its appeal as a more “futuristic” kind of surgical approach, especially when the Artas Robot is available.

Both these transplant methods simply are two different approaches of “harvesting” donor grafts. The second part of the transplant procedure is called the “placement” and it is the same for both. The cost of an FUE in my office is about 50% more than FUT. The numbers of grafts that can be harvested and the final results, however, is similar for both procedures.