Neograft and Smartgraft Surgery San Francisco

Hair transplantation has come a long way in recent years, with updated techniques that make the process more natural and comfortable for the patient. At The Maas Clinic^TM, we offer both FUE and FUT techniques for our hair transfer patients because it allows us the ability to tailor each procedure to the unique needs and desired results of each individual. While these two methods of hair extraction are very similar, each provides its own benefits and drawbacks depending on your specific situation. To make the best choice, it is important to understand the subtle differences between the two.

Hair Transplantation Overview

To understand the different techniques offered by Dr. Maas, you need first to have an overview of how the hair transplantation works. The first step in this procedure is to select a donor site where follicles are still actively growing healthy hair. The back of the head is a common choice for both men and women because this is typically where hair is most dense. Once the donor site is selected, the follicles can be removed from the site and transferred to the area of the scalp in need of restoration.

This is often the front of the hairline, the temples or running down the natural part of the hair. Transplants are done via a needle or small tube that places the extracted follicle into its new location. This process minimizes the need for incisions or visible scarring after the procedure.

Extraction Techniques

Dr. Maas offers two different options for removing the hair follicles from the donor site:

FUE

Follicular unit extraction or FUE involves removing hair follicles one at a time and placing them into the balding area. We use two different devices for this procedure. The NeoGraft device removes the hair follicles in natural groupings of one to four hairs at a time. The SmartGraft device also allows for removal of individual hair follicles and can be used to extract hair from other donor sites in addition to the scalp.

FUT

Follicular unit transplantation works in a similar fashion to FUE. However, this technique removes a small strip of hair, around 1.5 centimeters in length. The follicles from the strip are separated and then implanted one by one into the balding area on the scalp.

Choosing Between FUE and FUT

When choosing between the FUE and FUT techniques, there are a few factors to consider. First, if there is going to be quite a bit of hair needed from the donor site, FUE may not be the most efficient option. This approach can leave you with numerous micro-holes where the follicles are taken, which can be difficult to disguise. In this situation, FUT allows for a greater number of follicles to be taken from the donor site with only small linear scars left behind.

In addition, FUT allows for the greatest number of grafts to be used, resulting in a more efficient procedure overall. The quality of the grafts may also be better, since the follicles are microscopically dissected after removal, rather than removed individually from the scalp, preserving the integrity of the follicle more completely. At the same time, FUT does not require the donor area to be shaved, which makes it easier to hide the fact that you had hair transplantation performed.

At the same time, FUT often results in a slightly more uncomfortable and longer recovery process than FUE, due to the longer incisions. This also means incision care is much more important after FUT to prevent visible scarring after the procedure. For individuals worried about their ability to wear their hair short after the procedure, FUT may not be the desirable choice due to the potential for scarring as well.

FUE Technique at The Maas Clinic^TM

When choosing between FUE and FUT, surgical skill far outweighs the pros and cons of either technique. As long as you select a surgeon like Dr. Maas that has had ample experience in a variety of hair transplantation procedures, you are more likely to see success with either of these extraction techniques.

Dr. Maas can also help you determine whether FUE or FUT will provide you with the best results for your specific situation.Hair restoration is less invasive and more successful than ever before. To learn more about these procedures, contact The Maas Clinic^TM at (415) 567-7000 or contact us by email.

The information about FUE technique hair transplants was reviewed by Corey S. Maas MD^TM. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.