I. What is a FUT hair transplant ?
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) hair implant is a surgical hair implants method in which the surgeon removes a small strip of scalp containing healthy hair follicles from the back of the head (the donor hair area). These hair follicles are then separated into small follicular units, with each unit containing 1-4 hair strands, and implanted into the balding or thinning areas of the scalp.
The FUT hair implant method required using a special device called CHOI pen. The technician uses the CHOI pen to control the angle, depth, and direction of each implanted hair follicle. This technique does not require making incisions for hair follicle sites because the grafts taken from the donor area are implanted directly into the recipient area using the CHOI hair implant pen.
1. CHOI pen usage in FUT procedure
CHOI hair implant pen is a medical instrument resembling a pen with a spring mechanism and a hollow needle tip with diameter between 0.5-1.5mm.
The CHOI pen is used to implant extracted hair follicles into the scalp without requiring open small incisions for hair follicles at the recipient site. Therefore, the FUT procedure is divided into two main stages: follicles extraction and implantation.
The CHOI pen allows precise control over the implantation of each individual hair follicle. Therefore, the procedure can deliver accurate results according to the desires of the client. Utilizing the CHOI pen, the extracted grafts do not need preservation in solution. The hair follicles are loaded into the pen immediately after extraction and then implanted into the recipient area, helping to increase the survival rate of hair follicles as well as the success rate of the procedure.
2. Benefits.
+ This is a traditional hair implant method, in which the surgeon extracts a small strip of scalp from the back of the head to harvest hair follicles.
+ The strip is then used to extract small follicular units, with each unit containing 1-4 hair strands, helping to ensure natural results.
+ Although it may leave a thin scar at the donor site, recovery time is typically fast and the hair implant results are very natural.
+ The FUT method is commonly applied for those who have a thick donor area and need hair implantation over a large area.
3. Who is the appropriate candidates for FUT
- Individuals with thick and healthy donor areas: FUT requires the back of the head (donor area) to have good hair density and not be thinning, as a substantial amount of hair needs to be harvested from this region.
- Individuals seeking permanent hair restoration: Those who want long-lasting, stable, and natural results are ideal candidates, as FUT provides durable hair transplant outcomes with a high success rate.
- Individuals who don't mind minor scarring: The FUT method may leave a thin linear scar at the back of the scalp (donor area). Therefore, those who have no concerns about this scar will be suitable for this method.
II. The difference between FUT and FUE
FUT Hair Transplant.
- In FUT hair transplant, (the CHOI pen can be used).
- Grafts after extraction are implanted directly into the recipient area, reducing surgical time.
- 30-45 grafts per cm2 can be implanted in FUT.
- The maximum number of grafts in a single FUT hair transplant session can be around 3,000 grafts.
- Hair shaving may or may not be necessary before a FUT hair transplant procedure.
FUE Hair Transplant.
- In FUE hair transplant, micro punch motors or hollow punch scalpel will be used to extract the follicles.
- Extracted grafts will be preserved in a special solution.
- 45-60 grafts can be implanted per cm2 in FUE.
- The maximum number of grafts can reach up to 5,000 grafts.
- Hair shaving must be performed before performing FUE hair transplant.
III. FUT Hair transplant procedure details.
FUT hair transplant is performed under local anesthesia. The treatment process takes 6 to 8 hours for approximately 2,000 hair follicles
Procedure steps.
1. Consultation.
A trichologist (or a dermatologist specializing in hair and scalp) determines each patient's characteristics during the consultation by examining and determining the cause of hair loss, identifying the hair loss pattern and hair type (thick or thin), projecting potential progression in the coming years. Patient expectations, age, gender, and medical history are also collected during this meeting.
During the consultation, the hairline will be drawn based on the patient's natural hairline and desired outcome. Recipient areas are determined by the number of grafts needed in each zone and the number of grafts that can be harvested from the donor site. Patients may or may not qualify for the FUT technique depending on their degree of hair loss.
2. Preparation.
Pre-surgical tests will be performed. Some underlying medical conditions must be identified at this stage such as HIV, B and C type hepatitis . The patient's hair is then shaved. However, if the patient requires fewer grafts, shaving may not be necessary. After completing sterilization, the patient is ready for local anesthesia.
3. Local Anesthesia.
The surgeon administers local anesthesia to the donor area.
4. Hair Follicles Harvesting.
The surgeon makes an incision and extracts a strip of scalp from the donor area. This area is then closed using sutures.
The scalp strip with hair is divided into small sections to separate into individual hair follicles, and preserved in a special solution.
5. Loading the hair follicles into the pen.
If using the CHOI pen for the implanting steps, hair follicles are placed one by one into the hollow tips of the pen for direct implantation instead of using forceps.
6. Implanting into the scalp.
In the traditional implanting methods. The surgeon will prepare the recipient areas by creating the recipient site using a Sapphire knife. This technique helps increase the hair density, control the hair angle to reach the ideal hair thickness.
Subsequently, each hair follicle is carefully implanted into each pre-created implantation site sequentially by zones.
In FUT, if using the CHOI pen, hair follicles are implanted directly into the recipient area using the CHOI implant pen with a diameter of 1mm or less without requiring prior incisions to create recipient sites. Therefore, there is no need for an additional "recipient site creation" step; the implantation process and recipient site creation occur simultaneously thanks to the needle tip in the CHOI pen. This reduces surgical time and causes less pain.
7. Result from FUT hair transplant.
If you experience hair loss in the forehead area (bald), the FUT hair transplant method provides promising results. The doctor will advise you on the most suitable method.
* Results achieved also depend on each individual's physiology
