The FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) is the traditional procedure used by physicians around the world.  It is also called the “strip” technique and is the most common hair restoration procedure.  The strip takes a section of hair that is excised or cut out of the back of the scalp in the donor area. With today’s technology the strip is usually hidden within ten minutes or so.  The strip of hair follicles are put under microscopes and dissected into single, double and triple hair follicles. The singles are used in the hairline for a soft wispy look and doubles are set behind the doubles and the triples are used on top for major density. With this technique we ask you to take it easy for about three days depending on your profession.

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is a relatively new technique that has received a boost thanks to massive marketing campaigns. The FUE procedure eliminates the long scar in the donor area and extracts follicles one at a time. This means that the length of the procedure time is basically doubled. Also, the back of your head has to be completely shaved because we only want the follicle for the front and top.  The shaved area in the back is totally exposed for three to four weeks.  The amount of labor used in the procedure is also doubled and the time spent in the chair by you the patient is basically doubled as well. Some patients only want the newest techniques and are willing to pay for this new technology.  The robotic technique basically uses the same procedure as the FUE.

The results of the FUE and the FUT are basically the same, assuming that you are using an experienced physician.

At Forrester Hair Restoration and the Liposuction and Cosmetic Surgery Institute of Chicago the  FUT procedure typically takes about six hours, depending on the number of grafts, and the FUE takes about nine hours but typically involves fewer follicles in a procedure.

WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS REQUIRED?

Results are amazing, usually in men they will last for the rest of your life.  This is the same for women, although occasionally women may thin in their mid-to-late 70s.

This depends on how much hair you have when we do the procedure, your genetic make-up and/or how much hair you are destined to lose. If you have a lot of hair, you will probably lose more, but if you are almost or completely bald, then you don’t really have more to lose.

About a week after your hair restoration you can resume normal activities, although most people feel good enough to go to dinner or work in about two days.