What Is Follicular Unit Transplantation? A Time-Tested Technique for Hair Restoration
FUT is a surgical hair restoration technique that involves the removal of a superficial strip of hair-bearing tissue from the back and/or sides of the head—what is commonly referred to as the "donor area." This donor area consists of genetically permanent hair follicles that will not be affected by the balding process when moved to areas of thinning or baldness and therefore grow for life. After removing the donor strip, Dr. Dorin and his highly trained hair loss technicians in New York City will microscopically process the tissue into individual follicular units. The follicles are then organized and strategically transplanted into bald or thinning areas to create attractive, natural-looking permanent hair.
Also known as a strip excision procedure, FUT has been a common form of hair transplantation for the last three decades.
What Are Follicular Units?
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Follicular units are the natural groupings in which hair grows, usually made up of one to four hairs. Under magnification, distinct bundles of single, double, and triple units are evident. Each unit shares the same blood supply, and the integrity of the unit must be preserved during the hair transplantation process. Because these groupings naturally exist, nothing artificial is ever transplanted. This allows our NYC, NY, hair restoration doctor to achieve consistently natural-looking results for patients using their own hair.
FUT Hair Transplant Benefits Why Choose This Method to Restore Your Hair
Discreet Recovery
FUT is the preferred hair transplant option for patients who want minimal disruption to their daily lives. While the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method can require extensive shaving of the donor area, FUT strip harvesting can be done with sutures that are hidden under the hair post-operatively. In this way, there is no major shift in a patient's hair style appearance after surgery.
High-Quality Grafts
When the donor area is properly managed using the FUT method, Dr. Dorin is harvesting within a "safe" zone of genetically permanent and viable follicular units, thus ensuring survival and longevity of the transplanted hair.
High Quantity of Grafts
FUT's strip harvesting method allows for up to 4,000 follicular units to be transplanted in a single session, compared to 2,000 follicular units during FUE treatment. This makes the FUT hair transplant a better option for many patients with excessive balding.
Faster to the Finish Line
If you want to achieve hair restoration in a shorter period of time, you may want to choose FUT, as it allows for an optimal amount of grafts that can be moved in each session and less overall cost to meet your desired result.
Could FUT Be the Solution You Need? Schedule Your Virtual or In-Person Consultation
If you are considering hair transplant surgery to address hair loss, you should trust your care to experienced specialists at The Hair Loss Doctors By Robert J. Dorin. Dr. Robert J. Dorin is a board-certified hair restoration surgeon who has been named to The World's Top 25 Hair Transplant Surgeons by SpexHair each year since 2020.
One of the most commonly performed procedures at our NYC hair loss clinic is follicular unit transplantation. Dr. Dorin combines technology, skill, and artistry to help patients achieve natural-looking hairlines using this reliable technique.
To best serve men and women throughout the Northeast, we have hair restoration doctor offices in New York City, Garden City and Short Hills, NJ, as well as an office in Boston, MA. To begin your hair restoration process, schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with our team by filling out our online form or calling:
(516) 214-6776
"Nothing short of exceptional." Rave Reviews From NYC
I had the privilege of receiving a hair transplant from Dr. Robert Dorin three years ago, and I can confidently say that my experience and results have been nothing short of exceptional. I continue to recommend Dr. Dorin and his team to friends and colleagues, and should I ever need another procedure or touch-up in the future, I will gladly return. Thanks again.
View on GoogleDr. Dorin is a master at his craft, he also a great guy. His staff is awesome as-well, everybody made me feel very comfortable during the procedure, which isn't easy given my high anxiety level. Dr. Dorin also does not ghost his patients, he gives you his personal cell number, any problems that arise you can message him. A+++++ all around.
View on GoogleHow Does FUT Work? A Treatment Timeline
FUT hair transplants have been used to restore full heads of hair for three decades. Our NYC hair restoration team has extensive experience in this method.
Photos: Follicular Unit Transplantation Results With The Hair Loss Doctors, It's As If He Never Had Hair Loss!
"A life changer." A Real NYC Patient's Testimonial
"Dr Dorin restored my hair over 6 years ago and today it is still a life changer. His staff and approach is effective and precise. I would recommend Dr Dorin to any guy who wants to truly change his life." Dutch V.W., 5-Star Google Review
Comfort at the Forefront Our Advanced Technology: The CompuMed Wand
Dr. Dorin makes patient comfort a priority when performing any hair transplant at our hair loss clinics in Greater NYC and Boston, MA. To effectively deliver just the right amount of anesthetic to treatment areas, we utilize the CompuMed® Wand.
The CompuMed Wand is a device specifically designed to administer local anesthetic to patients who are nervous about needles. The device only requires a very shallow injection before a computerized system delivers a precisely measured amount of local anesthetic. Patients agree that the process is more comfortable than traditional needles. To further reduce pain, we usually recommend our patients take an oral sedative before we apply the CompuMed Wand, so they don't even feel the light pressure of the device.
Because hair transplant procedures can take several hours, we also provide televisions in our operating rooms for patients to watch while our doctor performs the procedure. If there are any other steps we can take to make your hair loss treatment more comfortable, let us know, and we will make every effort to accommodate you at our NYC practice.
Follicular Unit Transplantation: A Deeper Dive What About Scarring?
The scars resulting from follicular unit transplants at our practice are minimal.
Without a doubt, the most common hesitation patients express about a follicular unit transplant is the linear scar that results along the donor area of the scalp. While it is virtually impossible for no scar to result from this method, skilled hair transplant specialists like Dr. Dorin can perform the procedure in such a way that the scar is not noticeable.
Dr. Robert J. Dorin carefully selects the donor site so that your hair will cover the scar. Additionally, when he is stitching the donor site, he takes great care to minimize potential scarring, employing a closure technique called Trichophytic Donor Closure that enables the hair to grow directly through the scar, making it even less detectable.
If you want a hair transplant but are concerned about scarring, choosing The Hair Loss Doctors is the best way to end up with the smallest scar possible. Of course, if even a negligible scar is a problem for you, you could always choose the follicular unit extraction method.
What Sets the Hair Loss Doctors Apart? Achieving Your Goals With Compassion and Respect
"When someone comes into the clinic, the way that I prepare for a consultation is that I tell myself I am going in to see a relative. And I am treating them just as I would a family member. I want to help them make the best decision that they can for themselves with complete information. And I will make absolutely certain that I give them all of the alternatives so that they can make that decision." Dr. Robert True (Emeritus)
After Your FUT What Should You Expect?
After an FUT procedure at one of our hair loss clinics in Greater NYC and Boston, you can typically leave the office bandage-free and with minimal to no noticeable signs of surgery in the donor area. In many cases, your existing hair can cover both the donor area and the recipient area. If there is not enough hair on the scalp to cover the treatment areas, you may choose to wear an adjustable baseball cap after the procedure. Patients who wish to be especially discreet about their treatment typically take time off from work.
Recovery Quick Facts
- You can expect tiny scabs in the transplanted area of the scalp as well as moderate soreness in the donor area
- After 10 to 12 days, the scabbing should be healed and our team can remove the sutures
- You generally only experience mild to moderate pain, which can be easily controlled by prescription medications over a one- to three-day period
- The ideal interval between strip excision treatment sessions is about 10 to 12 months
Why Trust the Hair Loss Doctors
With Your FUT Hair Transplant?
The Right Hair Loss Clinic For You And Your Hair Loss Problems
The most important decision you will make regarding your hair restoration treatment is not which method you will use or the details of your hairline design, but the surgeon that you choose to perform the procedure. It is important to choose a doctor who has extensive experience in hair restoration and consistently achieves superior results.
Dr. Robert J. Dorin has a track record of safety and excellent patient care, with thousands of satisfied clients who would not trust their hairlines to anyone else. He has successfully implemented new techniques that minimize the appearance of any linear scars and reduce recovery times. Dr. Dorin is an expert in the field and can help you determine which method of treatment would be most appropriate for your restoration goals.
To experience care at the hands of a world-renowned hair transplant specialist, contact us online or call our NYC office:
(516) 214-6776
Dr. Robert J. Dorin is a board-certified hair restoration expert who has helped thousands of patients from NYC and beyond reclaim their hair and confidence.
5 Stars From NYC Patients "I'm glad I had my procedure and I'm glad I went here for it."
"They are amazing here. I was so nervous doing this procedure but have been waiting so many years to do so. So I’m glad I went with Dr. Dorin and his amazing team. I must give a shout out to Peter, who was so helpful before, during and after this whole thing. I’m glad I had my procedure and I’m glad I went here for it." Miguel R., 5-Star Google Review
The Cost of FUT Why Do FUT Prices Vary From Clinic to Clinic & Person to Person?
The Cost-Saving Benefits Of FUT
Many patients with extensive hair loss or thinning prefer to have a follicular unit transplant over follicular unit extraction (FUE). When using the strip method, Dr. Robert J. Dorin is able to maximize the number of follicular units harvested, which minimizes the number of surgical sessions required. In fact, many of our patients can have their hair transplant performed in a single session at our New York City office. Because this procedure is less time-and labor-intensive than FUE, we are generally able to offer it at a lower cost to patients.
As costs for hair loss solutions vary by clinic and by patient due to numerous factors, The Hair Loss Doctors By Robert J. Dorin accepts financing options so you can restore your hair while staying comfortably within your budget.
What Are the Advantages Of an FUT Hair Transplant?
An FUT procedure can result in a totally natural-looking hairline that contains no obvious signs of hair transplant surgery. Although follicular unit extraction (FUE) has become a more popular choice, there are some distinct advantages to choosing FUT instead of other hair transplant methods. Some of these advantages include:
Less Expensive
Because a follicular unit transplant requires less time and labor than a follicular unit extraction, our practice can perform FUT procedures at a lower cost.
More Expedient
One of the most significant advantages of strip harvesting over FUE is that large numbers of follicular units can be transplanted in just one session. During an FUE treatment, the greatest number of follicular units transferred is about 2,000. On the other hand, an FUT procedure may involve the transfer of 4,000 follicular units.
More Reliable
Although Dr. Dorin uses an advanced method that greatly improves the follicle survival rate during FUE, strip harvesting still has the higher rate of follicle survival. For this reason, patients with limited hair availability in the donor area of the scalp often make better candidates for an FUT procedure.
"Short story, I'm happy." Another Excellent Review for Our NYC Practice
"Short story, I'm happy and not a soul at work was able to tell not even my partner, barber or the many people who would make fun of my frontal hair loss. I eventually told my barber and he was amazed." Val, 5-Star Google Review
General Results Post-FUT What Can You Expect?
Because the transplanted follicles are your natural hair, your new hairline has the potential to last the rest of your life. About 12 months after the FUT procedure, you should see the full results of your hair transplant. At this time, you can treat your transplanted hair just like the rest of your hair: brush it, cut it, and run your hands through it. After a year, some patients decide to undergo an additional hair transplant surgery to further fortify the hairline.
After recovery from hair transplantation, you can expect a fuller head of hair with minimal visible scarring. Some early advocates of follicular unit extraction (FUE), an alternative method, have exaggerated the risks of wide donor scars with strip harvesting. However, patients considering FUE versus FUT at The Hair Loss Doctors in New York City can rest assured that Dr. Dorin will complete the procedure with the utmost care and precision to minimize scarring.
In some cases, hair transplants performed by less skilled surgeons can produce results that look unnatural. In those cases, Dr. Robert J. Dorin can perform a revision hair transplant procedure to improve on those results.
There's a Solution to Your Hair Loss Get Your Confidence Back! Meet With Us In-Person Or Virtually
Many men and women are embarrassed about their hair loss, but they don't think there is anything they can do about it. Thanks to modern hair transplant techniques, almost anyone can take a stand against hair loss with The Hair Loss Doctors at one of our hair loss clinics in Greater NYC and Boston, MA.
If you are curious about a follicular unit transplant or another hair restoration technique but you're not sure if it's right for you, we encourage you to contact us to schedule a consultation. During a one-on-one meeting, Dr. Robert J. Dorin can examine your scalp and your hairline to determine which procedure would be best for you.
Take the first step towards a full head of hair today by getting in touch with our New York City team or calling:
(516) 214-6776
Dr. Robert J. Dorin produces great results with hair restoration surgery.
"This is the place to go." A New York City Patient Testimonial
"If you are apprehensive about have this procedure done, this is the place to go.. you will be made to feel at home and relaxed from the minute you arrive..speaking with Dr. Dorin was more like talking to old friend who was more interested in my well being than making a buck.. Truly a class act." Marty M., 5-Star Google Review