Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) offers a substantial amount of benefits over Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT). The latter is an older method that is more inconsistent and, in fact, can cause substantial problems for the patient as the transplant ages. FUE, meanwhile, is the latest available method available to patients.
FUT involves extracting a donor strip for follicular grafts, typically from the back of the head, and then segmenting them into grafts for transplantation into donor areas. Patients must carefully tend to the extraction site for months after the procedure, one reason fewer patients are opting for FUT. The donor strip is not typically that large but will still leave a noticeable scar that short haircuts cannot always obscure. Further, FUT transplants can age, leading the plugs to become more noticeable and have an appearance similar to doll hair.
FUE, on the other hand, involves individual extractions of follicles. Patients do not have to worry about a large, orbital scar on their head nor months of caring for an extraction site. Depending on the procedure and surgeon, though, FUE can lead to scars similar to moth holes in a garment and may not yield the best results.
A pioneer of FUE, Dr. Cole and Forhair offer some of the best results the world over. His namesake FUE variant, Cole Isolation Technique (CIT®), is among the least invasive techniques in the world and offers a number of benefits over most versions of FUE. Selecting CIT® from Dr. Cole means enjoying:
Minimal to zero visible scarring
30% to 40% donor regeneration with application of ACell
A much shorter recovery time than FUT
A transection rate of under 3%: most surgeon's transection rates range from 5% to 10% or 20%
Precise placement of grafts, leading to better aesthetic results
One of the most important elements of choosing a FUE technique is recognizing that some variants are more effective and some are less effective. Many surgeons are resorting to automated or robotic options that typically have a higher transection rate and, typically, offer less impressive aesthetic results. Read here to learn more about the differences between FUT and FUE.
