Scalp with thick hair is a blessing that very few people enjoy throughout their lives. At some stage, baldness can happen due to any reason; be it hormonal imbalance, genetics, environmental factors, ageing, trauma, disease like androgenetic alopecia or treatment like chemotherapy. Once the hair starts falling, stopping it becomes a headache and then a moment comes which is called severe thinning where only a successful hair transplant can regrow hair on the bald spots.
What is FUT Hair Transplant?
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUT) hair transplant is a surgical procedure during which a surgeon extracts hair strips from the donor area (usually the back of the head) and moves them to the bald spots where required. The donor area always has healthy hair grafts; that’s the reason behind its preference for the treatment.
Since FUT hair transplant is considered the most invasive hair transplant treatment among the lot, it is performed under local anesthesia to completely numb the scalp, alongside oral or intravenous sedatives to make you feel comfortable for the entire procedure.
Why is FUT Still Relevant?
Even though advanced treatments are available now in the realm of hair transplant such as FUE and DHI, people still consider FUT as their go to treatment. You might wonder why one prefers such invasive treatment over others. The truth is FUT has its own benefits and it works in conditions where other treatments fail. Want to know how? Here are the three main reasons why the surgeons still recommend FUT.
1) Maximum Graft Yield:
If you are dealing with severe, advanced baldness, you need a massive amount of hair to cover the area. In FUE, a surgeon cannot harvest such a vast amount of hair grafts in a single session. Therefore, they prefer FUT to remove a concentrated strip of the most DHT-resistent hair on your head.
2) Less Surgeon Time Means a Lower Bill:
Time is money in a clinic. In an FUE or DHI procedure, a specialized technician has to manually punch out every single hair graft one by one and it consumes a lot of time. Punching out 3,000 grafts individual-by-individual takes hours of intense, meticulous labor, thus burdening your pocket. In FUT, the surgeon removes a single strip of scalp in about 30 minutes, stitches up the area, and lets a team of technicians dissect the strip under microscopes. Because it requires less of the lead surgeon’s active time, the labor cost drops significantly.
3) Higher Follicle Survival Rate:
When a surgeon extracts individual hairs graft during FUE or DHI, there is a slight risk of damaging the delicate root bulb with the punch tool. In FUT, the entire strip of tissue is removed intact, and the follicles are meticulously separated under high-powered microscopes by a dedicated team. This often results in healthier grafts that have a slightly higher chance of taking root and thriving in their new location.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for FUT Hair Transplant?
You may be a good candidate for a hair transplant if you:
- Have sufficient hair loss to be considered for surgery – You must have a significant bald area on the head.
- Have a good amount of healthy hair in the donor area.
- Have a healthy scalp – Your scalp must receive optimal blood supply to nourish the newly transplanted hair follicles.
- Are in overall good health.
- Have realistic approach and expectations from the treatment.
- Are free and have maximum time to spend recovery period at home – FUT has more recovery and downtime than other hair transplant techniques.
What Happens in FUT Hair Transplant?
Here is exactly what goes down once you make your mind for FUT.
Consultation
The first step is consultation with an expert hair transplant specialist who has a strong portfolio and successful track record of FUT hair transplant. Ask your surgeon genuine questions and reveal what’s on your mind. Once you get the green signal from your surgeon, you will be provided with procedure day.
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia will be applied to the scalp to make it numb and make you feel comfortable during the entire procedure.
The Strip Extraction
Once the local anesthesia kicks in, you will lie face down. The surgeon will use a scalpel to carefully remove a horizontal strip of skin from the back of your head. The strip is usually a few inches long but very narrow.
Closing the Gap
Are you concerned about the space where the skin is removed? Well, your doctor will immediately pull the edges of the scalp together and close it up with the stitches or staples.
The Microscope Work (Dissection)
Right when the surgeon is busy closing the back of your head, another team of technicians will take that strip of tissue and place it under high-powered microscopes and begin slicing it into individual follicular units.
Prepping the Bald Spots
Now the attention shifts to the top of your head. The surgeon uses tiny blades or needles to create numerous microscopic slits in your thinning areas. The way these slits are angled dictates the exact direction your new hair will grow, so precision here is everything.
Planting the Grafts
This is the last step in FUT hair transplant. The medical team starts manually inserting those separated hair grafts into the already made silts. This part requires patience so be ready to sit there for a few hours watching a movie or just napping.
What Happens After FUT Hair Transplant? Recovery and Downtime
The first couple of weeks after FUT can be annoying so be mentally prepared for it.
The First Few Days:
In the first few days, your scalp will feel incredibly tight. Your forehead might swell up but remember that the healing process will occur in this period as well. Therefore, keep the best care of your head.
When Can You Go Back to Work?
This depends entirely on what you do for a living. If your work is home-based such as working on a laptop from home, you can log back in after 2 days. But if you work physically in a demanding job, you need to take at least 10 days off in advance.
Moreover, you cannot do heavy lifting on intense cardio in your recovery days. Sweating is the enemy of fresh hair grafts.
Getting the Stitches Out
Within 10-14 days, you have to go back to the clinic to remove the stitches. The moment those stitches come out, that annoying tightness in the scalp will vanish instantly.
Week 3 to 4
Around week three or four, the transplanted hair grafts will fall out and you might start worrying. Well, don’t panic. It is a natural process and every one who transplanted hair goes through this phase.
Month 3 to 4
Up to the fourth month, you will look exactly like you did before the surgery. But at the end of month four, you will start noticing new hairs pushing through the scalp. They will look thin and slightly wiry at first but around 9 to 12 months, those hairs will thicken up and settle into the final texture.
FUT Hair Transplant Results
Hair growth may not be noticeable during the first few months after surgery. You will likely see initial evident results 6-9 months after surgery. More pronounced treatment results usually occur after 12 months.
FUT Vs FUE Comparison
Here is a straightforward breakdown of FUT and FUE hair transplant to help you compare them side-by-side.
| Feature | FUT | FUE |
| Extraction Method | A single strip of scalp is surgically removed. | Individual follicles are punched out one by one. |
| The Scar | A linear scar across the back of the head. | Tiny, scattered white dot scars. |
| Shaving the Head | Not required. | Usually requires shaving the entire donor area. |
| Graft Yield | Great for maximizing hairs in one session. | Lower per session. |
| Cost | Generally more affordable per graft. | More expensive due to the intense manual labor required. |
FUT Vs DHI Hair Transplant
| Feature | FUT Hair Transplant | DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) |
| Implantation Tool | Tweezers and forceps place hairs into pre-cut slits. | A Choi Pen injects hairs directly into the scalp. |
| Best Used For | Advanced baldness (Norwood 5 or 6) requiring massive coverage. | Minor hairline touch-ups, adding density, and female hair loss. |
| Hair Density | Good, but limited by how close the surgeon can make the cuts. | Unmatched. The pen can pack hairs tightly between existing ones. |
| Surgery Time | Faster. The strip is removed quickly, and technicians do the rest. | Very slow. The doctor manually clicks the pen thousands of times. |
| The Price Tag | The most budget-friendly surgical option. | The most expensive, premium option on the market. |
What are the Benefits of FUT Hair Transplant?
FUT aims at enhancing the capability of a human to get tension free regarding hair loss for a long period. The benefits include:
Boost Self-Confidence
Hair loss can have a significant impact on a person’s self-confidence. A successful FUT hair transplant can help restore self-esteem and improve overall emotional well-being.
Long-lasting Solution
Unlike temporary hair loss treatments, FUT hair transplant offers a long-lasting solution.
Natural-Looking Results
FUT, when done correctly, can yield natural-looking results that seamlessly blend with your existing hair pattern. But keep in mind that your donor area has healthy hair grafts, only then the new grown hair will look naturally synchronised with the existing hair.
Safe Procedure
FUT hair transplant surgery is considered a safe procedure when performed by an experienced surgeon.
Cost-Effective in a Long Run
While the upfront cost of a hair transplant can be significant, the longer results make it a cost-effective solution compared to ongoing expenses for temporary hair loss treatments.
Customizable
Hair transplant procedures can be tailored to each individual’s specific needs and desired outcome, allowing for a personalised approach to hair restoration.
Low Maintenance
After the recovery period, transplanted hair requires minimal maintenance and can be treated just like the rest of your natural hair – including washing, styling, and cutting.
How Much is FUT Hair Transplant in Dubai?
The starting cost of a FUT hair transplant in Dubai is 13,500 AED. The final cost of a hair transplant usually depends on the number of hair grafts implanted, the number of treatment sessions, and the transplantation technique used.
What are the Risks Associated with FUT Hair Transplants?
With any surgical procedure, there are potential complications and side effects. Some common complications associated with FUT hair transplant surgery include:
- Infections can occur after a hair transplant procedure.
- Expect some bleeding during and immediately after the procedure.
- Swelling is common after a hair transplant and typically subsides on its own within a few days.
- Scarring can occur at the donor and recipient sites.
- Temporary numbness or tingling may occur around the donor or recipient site, which usually resolves within a few weeks.
- Some discomfort is normal following a hair transplant. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication to help manage this.
- Inflammation of the hair follicles can occur, causing redness, itching, or small pimples around the transplanted hair. This condition is usually treated with antibiotics or antifungal medications.
- In some cases, the transplanted hair may not grow as expected, leading to unsatisfactory results. This can be due to various factors, such as poor graft handling, insufficient blood supply, or an inexperienced surgeon.
- In rare cases, the body may reject the transplanted hair follicles, leading to graft failure.
FAQs
What are the reasons for hair loss?
Hair loss happens for many reasons, including hormonal imbalance, genetics, and most commonly, androgenetic alopecia, also known as pattern baldness.
Is FUT hair transplant safe?
Yes, FUT hair transplant is safe when performed by skilled, board-certified surgeons. There is always a small risk of complications like any other surgical procedure, including infection, swelling, and scar.
Is having a hair transplant painful?
Hair transplants are usually not painful as local anesthesia is applied, and sometimes sedation is used. Post-surgery, some discomfort or pain may occur which generally subsides over time.
Book Your Appointment
If you are suffering from severe thinning and want to regrow hair on your scalp, FUT hair transplant is your go to treatment. Pick up the phone and dial +971 4 394 5422 to book your appointment. You can also contact us via WhatsApp using the same number.





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