FUE vs FUHT – pros and cons
Introduction
With the massive increase in demand for hair transplant, there is a need to access new technologies and improve results further to make them look more natural. The time tested FUHT (strip) procedure is being challenged by the new FUE procedure. we at our centre Divine Cosmetic Surgery, routinely perform both the procedures and often in conjuction to achieve the best results. Let us have a look at the relative advantages , disadvantages and in the end indications for both these procedures
FUHT vs FUE – advantages of each
The FUE procedure is the most minimally invasive of the hair transplant procedures, the procedure being done under local anesthesia. This involved, harvesting each single graft one by one using special FUE devices. As long as the mico punches are less than 1.2 mm they barely leave and scar at all. In fact we perform FUE with 0.8 mm punches and these marks are not seen even as early as 2 weeks. FUE grafts are very thin, consisting of only the hair follicles, thus it is possible to achieve higher per square cm distribution of grafts with FUE. FUE grafts are excellent for the hair line, since almost 750-800 follicles can be implanted in the first line itself, giving almost the natural density. The process is essentially painless even in the post procedure period, with most patients taking only 1-2 pain killer tablets at most. The maximum number of follicles which are possible is between 4500-5000
The FUHT procedure involves a surgical incision and removal of hair strip which is then closed with fine sutures, this line is very fine, and is not visible from within the hair. The grafts wastage rate is less than 1% and the number of follicle per graft ratio is higher than FUE since each hair is visualized under vision and preserved. So a higher number of follicles per graft is achieved in FUHT grafts. It is excellent and has much better results in people who have curly hair and those with thin hair, where use of FUE results in graft wastage. The maximum number of follicles that is possible is about 6500
FUHT vs. FUE – disadvantages
Since FUE is a blind procedure, using a high speed FUE drill, it is likely to cause hair wastage,. In fact world wide the wastage rates are 10-30% of grafts harvested, further in multi follicular grafts, there is a definite chance of a follicle getting injured, leading to a less follicle per graft number. In very thin hair and curly hair, the wastage rated approximate 25% and in very thick hair a thicker punch is required, which may leave a scar. Particularly in curly hair, a thick punch is advised, and this may lead to visible dotted scar appearance.
The FUHT procedure is a surgical procedure, not easily done by deramtologists. It is a highly technical process, and can have prolonged recovery time, if done by a new
surgeon or someone who is not properly trained. The pain factor persists for 2-3 days. The line at the back is a permanent feature.
Combination of FUE and FUHT
The combination of both techniques is now being used to extract 9000-10000 follicles. It is thus possible to cover nearly the entire head portion even in stage IV and V of hair loss. Here the strip is taken first and then FUE is done above the strip segment.
Introduction
With the massive increase in demand for hair transplant, there is a need to access new technologies and improve results further to make them look more natural. The time tested FUHT (strip) procedure is being challenged by the new FUE procedure. we at our centre Divine Cosmetic Surgery, routinely perform both the procedures and often in conjuction to achieve the best results. Let us have a look at the relative advantages , disadvantages and in the end indications for both these procedures
FUHT vs FUE – advantages of each
The FUE procedure is the most minimally invasive of the hair transplant procedures, the procedure being done under local anesthesia. This involved, harvesting each single graft one by one using special FUE devices. As long as the mico punches are less than 1.2 mm they barely leave and scar at all. In fact we perform FUE with 0.8 mm punches and these marks are not seen even as early as 2 weeks. FUE grafts are very thin, consisting of only the hair follicles, thus it is possible to achieve higher per square cm distribution of grafts with FUE. FUE grafts are excellent for the hair line, since almost 750-800 follicles can be implanted in the first line itself, giving almost the natural density. The process is essentially painless even in the post procedure period, with most patients taking only 1-2 pain killer tablets at most. The maximum number of follicles which are possible is between 4500-5000
The FUHT procedure involves a surgical incision and removal of hair strip which is then closed with fine sutures, this line is very fine, and is not visible from within the hair. The grafts wastage rate is less than 1% and the number of follicle per graft ratio is higher than FUE since each hair is visualized under vision and preserved. So a higher number of follicles per graft is achieved in FUHT grafts. It is excellent and has much better results in people who have curly hair and those with thin hair, where use of FUE results in graft wastage. The maximum number of follicles that is possible is about 6500
FUHT vs. FUE – disadvantages
Since FUE is a blind procedure, using a high speed FUE drill, it is likely to cause hair wastage,. In fact world wide the wastage rates are 10-30% of grafts harvested, further in multi follicular grafts, there is a definite chance of a follicle getting injured, leading to a less follicle per graft number. In very thin hair and curly hair, the wastage rated approximate 25% and in very thick hair a thicker punch is required, which may leave a scar. Particularly in curly hair, a thick punch is advised, and this may lead to visible dotted scar appearance.
The FUHT procedure is a surgical procedure, not easily done by deramtologists. It is a highly technical process, and can have prolonged recovery time, if done by a new
surgeon or someone who is not properly trained. The pain factor persists for 2-3 days. The line at the back is a permanent feature.
Combination of FUE and FUHT
The combination of both techniques is now being used to extract 9000-10000 follicles. It is thus possible to cover nearly the entire head portion even in stage IV and V of hair loss. Here the strip is taken first and then FUE is done above the strip segment.