Stands for: Follicular Unit Transplant
Old Method also known as “strip” transplant
We very rarely use it as we recommend the FUE Method
FUT Hair Transplant
What is a FUT hair transplant?
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is an invasive surgical procedure used to treat the most extreme cases of hair loss. This treatment looks to take long strips of donor hairs, separate these into smaller follicular units, and implant them into the affected area.
Follicular Unit Transplantation is one of the long-standing bastions of hair transplant surgery. Often called the “strip harvesting method”, this treatment is well suited to treating conditions such as male pattern baldness and androgenetic alopecia.
This surgical procedure extracts a long strip of hair follicles by making a small incision into your donor site on the back of your scalp. After taking this strip, your donor hairs are then put under a microscope and intricately separated into smaller groups of individual follicular units (or “hair grafts”). Then, these small follicular units are implanted into your affected area.
If you are worried about experiencing pain during the surgery, let us put you at ease. Not only are all of our treatments are carried out by GMC registered doctors, but they are performed in CQC registered clinics. During your surgery, you will be given local anaesthetic. You won’t feel a thing!
Why should I get a FUT hair transplant?
Hair loss is a problem that can affect men and women of all ages. Did you know that at least half of all men in the UK will experiences signs of male pattern baldness by the age of 50? What is even more staggering is that this can even manifest in men as early as their 20s or 30s?
The most tell-tale sign of male pattern baldness can be found in a receding hair line and thinning on the top of their head. Often, pattern baldness is hereditary but it can sometimes be due to an overproduction of testosterone
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT surgery) can help to directly combat the most extreme forms of hair loss and help you feel more self-confident!
How much does FUT surgery cost?
At our clinic, the average cost for FUT surgery is over £4,ooo. The cost of each transplanted follicle is between £2 and £5. Although this may be cheaper than newer treatments such as FUE and DHI, it is also important to consider the baggage that may come with this surgery.
To put these numbers into context, our FUE treatments usually cost between £3,500 and £6,000 depending upon the severity of baldness. Similarly, the price of the DHI technique is also around £6,000.
Whilst, at first, looking like the cheaper option, FUT is more invasive, the procedure leaves larger scars than alternative treatments, and requires a longer amount of time to heal. As such, we would usually recommend the more expensive FUE treatment.
What is My expected recovery time?
You should be able to return to work almost immediately after your surgery. As you are only given local anaesthetic during the medical procedure, you shouldn’t be feeling dazed or docile. Many of our patients visit us during their lunch breaks or after work. We can certainly cater to your schedules.
The expected recovery time for follicular unit transplantation is between 2 and 4 weeks. Primarily, this is due to the time needed for the linear scar (from your donor site) to heal. If you are concerned about the scar present after the surgery, we recommend you keep your hair on the back and sides at a grade 4 or longer. This should help to conceal it!
Your new hairs should also begin to grow between 3 and 4 months after your surgery. Within a year, they should have fully thickened out. As with any hair transplant treatment, it is definitely worth the wait.
Are there any alternative hair transplant treatments?
FUT is one of the cheapest treatments we offer, we would certainly recommend you consider one of our alternative hair transplant treatments. Alongside FUT, we also offer Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Direct Hair Implantation (DHI):
- FUE – With this treatment, your hair follicles are intricately extracted using a 1mm punch and implanted into your receiving area. This process is the direct descendant of FUT and prides itself on its smaller scars and quicker recovery time to its older counterpart.
- DHI – With this new technique, a surgeon will extract hair follicles one by one from the donor area and then implant them directly or with a slight delay in the receiving area. Survival and growth rates of your hair follicles are increased, as time spent separated your dermis (top layer of skin) is significantly reduced.
It is definitely important to compare each hair treatment method against one another as to decide upon which may be the best for you. To help you along your journey, you will also be offered a free consultation sessions with one of our GMC registered doctors.
What are the differences between FUE and FUT hair transplants?
Here, we have outlined some of the key differences between FUE and FUT to help you decide which hair transplantation method may be right for you!
Suitability Of Treatment
Whilst FUT has now become a treatment that is primarily used in the most extreme cases of balding, the same can not be said for FUE. Follicular Unit Extraction is not only the industry standard for most hair transplants, but this treatment can even be extended out to beard and eyebrow transplants.
Extraction Method
The most important difference between FUT and FUE is the way in which donor hair follicles are extracted from your donor site. Given that FUE makes smaller and precise incisions than FUT, it can be used effectively in a number of transplant scenarios.
Not only this, but FUE is a quicker procedure than FUT. Again, due to the precise excision of individual hair grafts, there is no need to cut strips or stitch up scars at the end of the procedure.
Recovery Time:
FUE and FUT treatments also differ in terms of recovery time. FUE has a much shorter recovery time than FUT. Whilst FUE makes no large incisions (never larger than 1mm in diameter) upon the patients scalp, the FUT procedure requires stitches, resulting in a long linear scar on the back of the scalp. As such, many patients prefer the FUE over FUT.
With patients only needed to cover smaller scabs, as opposed to larger scars, for a shorter amount of time, it is easy to see why FUE is much preferred. Everyone wants to be back looking their best as quickly as possible!
What conclusions can we draw from these comparisons?
As the comparison above suggests, whilst FUT surgery has previously been a useful tool in treating hair loss and male pattern baldness, with new technological innovations in the industry this procedure is somewhat outdated. Our doctors recommend FUT to only be used in the most extreme cases of hair loss. Other treatments, despite being slightly more expensive, offer reduced scarring, reduced recovery time, and a greater yield of new hair growth.
To have a look at our alternative hair transplant treatment, the FUE hair transplant
Patient Gallery - Hair Transplant Results
Patient Testimonials
Aside from achieving fantastic results, we believe that keeping in touch with our patients before, during and after their hair transplantation procedure is paramount – it helps to keep our patients feeling calm and in control. We’re always on hand to provide guidance, support and aftercare advice. Time and again, our patients tell us that this is what sets us apart from other clinics.
You can read our great reviews of FUE hair transplants over on Google and TrustPilot
Kieran Dancy19/01/2024"My experience with Harley Street Clinic was exceptional. I was very apprehensive about getting my FUE procedure done, as one would expect. However, Sara reassured me and was very supportive pre and post-procedure. I am so pleased with the result thus far. The new hairline suits my face, and I cannot wait to see the full results. I must thank everyone at the Harley Street Clinic for their support, guidance, and care."I had an outstanding experience with the Harley Street Clinic. Initially, I had some apprehensions about getting my Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure done, as I was unsure about how it would turn out. However, Sara, who assisted me throughout the procedure, was very supportive and helped calm my nerves. She provided me with thorough pre and post-procedure guidance, which was extremely helpful. I am delighted with the results I have seen so far. The new hairline suits my face perfectly, and I cannot wait to see the full results in the coming months. The team at the Harley Street Clinic was very supportive, and I felt like I was in good hands throughout the entire process. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at the clinic for their support, guidance, and care. The experience was very positive, and I would highly recommend the Harley Street Clinic to anyone looking to undergo a similar procedure.
David Price09/01/2024Thank you to the doctor and team. I was well looked after on the day of surgery and I’m really looking forward to the results. Initial anaesthetic injection was the only bit that I didn’t like but other than that, all good. Would recommend. David
ashley sheppard07/09/2023Lovely surgeon and assistants who made me feel at ease. No pain whatsoever. Would recommend.
Ross Thorndyke31/07/2023Great surgeon, quick responses. Even drafted a Locum in to cover the original surgeon being on holiday. Very impressed with the set up and the results are very good so far.
GrayBx17/04/2023To start, their care and procedures are absolutely incredible, if I was to base the review solely on the Dr and nurses I had for my procedure it would be an easy 5 stars. However I am rating only 4 stars, which I would consider slightly generous. I am trans, although very early transition when I had the procedure, and within the consultation I feel I was overlooked of what I wanted. After being asked what I was looking for from the procedure, I said I was trans, and wanted a natural looking feminine hairline (as well as obviously fixing my natural hairline), to which my consultant claimed that a masculine hairline would be easier to look natural. Going along with this, I thought any hairline transplant is better than nothing, and that he was the professional so I should take his advice and bite my tongue. In fairness, I was not wearing make up and was in jeans and a hoodie for the consultation, so maybe what I said just went over his head or maybe he didn’t take me seriously. In hindsight, I wish I didn’t closet myself at the first sign of push back from what I perceived as a medical professional, even talking to my doctor near the end of the procedure I felt comfortable enough to come out to him after what I had initially perceived to be a transphobic clinic (I promise you it’s not), and wish he was the one to do the consultation in the first place. He even said something along the lines of “I’ve done a masculine hairline on you, I wish you had have said something sooner”, and I didn’t want to cause any trouble for my consultant, so I didn’t say anything. All in all, the procedure went perfectly, and has healed really well. Cannot speak any higher of my doctors and nurses (although I have forgotten their names), and although not entirely happy with the hairline I received, it was done perfectly and is 100x better than my natural hairline. To all my trans girlies out there, please make it really clear what you want, look as fem as possible for the consultation, and if they push back at all - don’t let them walk all over you.
Ricardo David14/12/2022Loved the team!
Emma Walker27/09/2022I originally took a lot of time researching a hair transplant company within the UK and came across these guys. I have to say that the whole experience has been so smooth from start to finish. Kevin has been nothing but helpful and it was encouraging to know that he only wanted the best for the client. The reason for my hair transplant was traction alopecia and even though I am only 5 days post op I can already see the potential hairline I will have in a few months time. Everything including booking, payment, forms etc was all so easy and straightforward to do with the help of Kevin. The day of the surgery I had my mum come with me and she was able to come into the room to start with before the actual surgery to help choose my hairline and Dr Kalra explained everything not only to me but to my mum also. Then it was onto the actual surgery part of the day and I have to say that while the local anaesthetic injections were pretty painful, the rest of the day was completely relaxing. Dr Kalra and the other staff (sorry I can’t remember their names) totally put me at ease. Everything was explained and if I needed anything all I had to do was ask. Post op I had a lot of bleeding in the donor area which I was worried about but Dr Kalra put my mind at ease straight away. If I had any questions or worries then Dr Kalra and Kevin were always on hand to help. 5 days post op I still have a fair amount of swelling and bruising but it is improving every day and I can’t wait to see results. I’ve booked a PRP session with Dr Kalra for 5 weeks time so I will post another update once that has been done. Thank you to everyone but special thanks to Kevin and Dr Kalra!
Jack Booth10/09/2022The whole experience was very straight forward and professional and the staff were very friendly. I felt I was in safe hands with Dr Kalra and the others who did the surgery and the aftercare process was explained very clearly to me afterwards.
