Are you considering a hair transplant? Many people think about it for months or years before getting it done and wish they’d gotten it sooner.
If you’re considering it, you’re probably wondering what happens under the microscope. Follicular unit transplants (FUT) are one of the most established methods in hair transplants, blending surgical precision with an elegant biological principle: moving your healthy hair follicles to where they’re needed most to inspire growth in balding or thinning areas.
Hair Doc, located in Cow Hollow, has changed the lives of many people by helping them achieve a natural, yet healthy, head of hair again with FUT. Read on to learn more about FUTs, how they work, and why they remain a trusted choice for patients around the world.
In 1950, the concept of FUT was introduced by Dr. Norman Orientreich and his concept of “donor dominance,” which remains the backbone of many hair restoration techniques today. He found that in hereditary baldness, transplanted hair keeps the traits of its original location regardless of where it’s moved on the scalp. His work helped pave the way for his first hair transplant in 1952 and is an integral part of the transplants done today.
Follicular unit transplantation is often called “the strip method” because of how it’s performed. Aaron Cheng, DO, performs an FUT by carefully removing a strip of skin from the back of your scalp, including healthy hair follicles that are resistant to balding.
Under a microscope, Dr. Cheng and his team separate the strip into follicular units containing 1-4 strands of hair. Next, these grafts are artistically placed into areas of your scalp that have undergone balding, including the crown and temples.
What is the result? New hair that looks and grows just like your natural hair – because it is your natural hair, just relocated.
You’ve probably noticed your hair thinning for quite some time, and if you’re like most, you want results – yesterday. While hair transplants provide long-lasting and permanent results, you’ll need to be patient to experience them. That’s because hair growth occurs in cycles and typically takes four months before noticeable results are visible.
Let’s take a look at a timeline:
You’ll experience the initial healing process two weeks after your surgery. During this time, you’ll need to return to our office to have any stitches removed and may notice scabs falling off as your transplanted hairs settle into place.
Most patients panic at the thought of hair shedding. This is a normal phase of the healing process and a sign that the treatment is working.
During this time, hair follicles experience some shock from the new transplants and, as a result, are encouraged into their resting phase. No need to worry, this phase is temporary, and the follicles are not lost, because the root of the hair remains alive and healthy under the skin.
Patients often start to experience growth during this time as fine, thin hairs begin to appear on your scalp.
The six-month mark is when you’ll experience thicker, visible growth that'll continue to improve.
After one year, most patients experience full results from their hair transplant. Some patients may even experience more growth up to 18 months post-op.
The FUT remains a gold standard for hair restoration, as it is one of the most reliable and cost-effective methods for restoring your hairline. It is often the go-to method for patients with moderate to high degrees of hair loss because it can achieve the highest number of hair grafts in a single session.
While the FUT method may involve a linear scar, this can be hidden in your surrounding hair and is a small trade-off for getting the long-proven, natural results that it consistently delivers.
You don’t have to make the decision alone. Come in for a consultation to explore your options and get a better idea of what an FUT can do for you. Call 415-907-7354 for a consultation with Dr. Cheng or book online.
Disclaimer: Photos used in this article are models and may or may not have had treatment.
