Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)
Men today are worried about their hair when they should be worried about living. It's a familiar situation to many: Figures from the American Hair Loss Association suggest that by age 35 two-thirds of American men will experience some degree of hair loss and 85 percent of men will experience significant hair loss by age 50. Hair loss can affect relationships, self-esteem and even force some men to change careers.
Thankfully, there are several solutions to hair loss. The market is flooded with creams, sprays and special treatments promising a restored hairline. However, the only permanent solution to hair loss is Follicular Unit Transplantation. Men who undergo this surgical treatment enjoy natural-looking hair, and in many cases, a whole new outlook on life.
What is follicular unit transplantation?
According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, follicular unit transplantation is the process of obtaining hairs and their attached follicles from one area on a person's scalp and them surgically transplanting them into the balding zone. This is usually accomplished using naturally-occurring groups of one, two, three or four hairs, called follicular units. These bundles include full-thickness as well as fine hairs, and the oil glands, muscles and connecting tissue that accompany and support hair follicles.
Follicular unit transplantation varies from follicular unit extraction, as extraction processes include the removal and transplantation of the skin about two millimeters around each follicle using a punch-like scalpel.
What can a patient expect from follicular unit transplantation?
Skilled surgeons who perform follicular unit transplantation are able to meticulously arrange almost-microscopic grafts to create a natural hairline while preserving the integrity of the follicular unit and keeping the growth elements and patterns intact. The end result is a full, permanent head of naturally growing hair with minimal recovery time and tissue damage. Patients can then stop worry about their hair and start living their lives with more confidence than before.
