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Follicular unit transplantation (abbreviation: FUT) is a method of hair transplantation in which a strip of skin is removed from the back of the patient’s head. This area is chosen because the hair there is genetically more resistant to falling out, which plays a role in male pattern hair loss(androgenetic alopecia). The removed skin strip is then divided into smaller units, the so-called follicular units, under a microscope. A follicular unit typically contains 1 to 4 hairs together with their hair follicles.
These follicular units are then transplanted into the bald or sparsely haired areas of the scalp. The distribution and placement of the follicular units is designed to create as natural a growth pattern as possible. FUT makes it possible to transplant a large number of hair follicles in a single session, making it an effective method for patients with severe hair loss.
One disadvantage of the FUT method is the scarring in the extraction area, as a strip of skin is surgically removed. This scar is usually linear and can be concealed by hair as long as it is not cut too short. The FUT technique differs from the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) technique, in which individual hair follicles are extracted directly from the scalp, which usually results in less visible scars.
Related terms: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) / Follicular Unit Grafts (FUG) / Hair transplantation
