Hair Transplant: Permanent Hair Restoration
The Procedure
Hair Transplant: Permanent Hair Restoration
A hair transplant is the only permanent hair restoration option, because the hair it moves keeps growing in its new place. Here is how that works, what happens during the procedure, and how the two main methods, FUE and FUT, differ.
Key takeaways
- A hair transplant moves donor dominant hair from the back and sides of the head to the area of hair loss. This hair continues to grow throughout the life of most men, and moving it does not change its ability to grow.
- Follicular unit grafts have replaced the old "plugs and corn rows." They have the finest, softest appearance and provide the soft hairline that is the transition to thicker hair.
- The procedure is done under local anesthetic, and each graft is transplanted one at a time. Its length depends on the number of grafts, and many people return to work within a few days.
- The two main procedure types are FUE, which extracts follicles one at a time and leaves no ear-to-ear linear scar, and FUT, the strip method, which leaves a linear scar.
Hair transplantation is a hair restoration procedure that takes hair from the back of the head and moves it to the area of hair loss.
Why a hair transplant is permanent
The fringe (back and sides) of hair on a balding scalp is known as donor dominant hair, which is the hair that will continue to grow throughout the life of most men.
Donor dominance
Transplanting donor dominant hair to a bald area does not change its ability to grow. Donor dominance is the scientific basis for the success of hair transplantation.
From plugs to follicular unit grafts
Hair restoration procedures have improved by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The days of the "plugs and corn rows" are gone, and the age of follicular unit grafting has arrived. Through the use of these natural hair grafts, along with new and improved instrumentation, accomplished hair transplantation surgeons can create a natural hair appearance that is appropriate for each individual patient.
Follicular unit grafts have the finest and softest appearance. They provide the critical soft hairline that is the transition to thicker hair. Reconstructing a new hairline requires medical as well as artistic skill. It is critically important to get it right the first time, so a new hairline requires considerable forethought and planning.
What happens during the procedure
At Advanced Hair Restoration®, the procedure follows these steps:
01
Preparation and anesthetic
First you will be prepped and given a local anesthetic.
02
Follicle extraction
After your donor area is anesthetized, we extract the follicles.
03
Marking the recipient area
Your physician marks the area to receive the hair transplants.
04
Transplanting the grafts
Your physician then begins transplanting each graft, one graft at a time.
The time the procedure takes is determined by the number of grafts required. Your physician will schedule your procedure time based on the number of grafts to be transplanted. Many people return to work within a few days of their hair restoration procedure.
Free consultation
Find out how many grafts you need
At a free, in-person consultation, an Advanced Hair Restoration® physician examines your scalp and donor area directly and maps the exact graft count your procedure needs.
Procedure types
There are several types of procedures that can be used for permanent hair restoration. Below are the two main types, FUE and FUT. Learn more about both procedures in our full comparison.
FUE: follicular unit extraction
An automated FUE hair transplant is an evolved version of the manual FUE (follicular unit extraction) hair restoration procedure. An FUE procedure restores your own hair, which you simply grow, wash and cut, by extracting and transplanting one hair follicle at a time during a one-day outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. The FUE technique does not require scalpels, stitches or staples, and it does not leave a permanent ear-to-ear linear scar. Automated FUE technology provides a tool that experienced hair restoration surgeons and technicians can use to perform better and more effective work.
FUT: the linear strip method
The traditional "strip" method requires a section of the scalp to be removed from the back of the head. The wound created by the strip is then stitched or stapled together. This technique has its place in the field, but it is becoming less popular due to the linear scar left behind. The FUT method sometimes allows for a slightly quicker process of removing a strip of tissue and then dissecting it into individual grafts, but it leaves a linear scar. The implantation process is performed in the same manner in both FUE and FUT.
Related reading: FUE vs FUT, Advanced FUE™, and what to expect at your hair restoration consultation.
Questions patients ask
Permanent hair restoration questions
Is a hair transplant permanent?
Yes, for most men. A hair transplant moves donor dominant hair, the fringe at the back and sides of the scalp, to the area of hair loss. This hair continues to grow throughout the life of most men, and moving it to a bald area does not change its ability to grow. That principle, donor dominance, is the scientific basis for the success of hair transplantation.
What happens during a hair transplant?
At Advanced Hair Restoration®, you are first prepped and given a local anesthetic. Once your donor area is anesthetized, the follicles are extracted. Your physician then marks the area to receive the hair transplants and begins transplanting each graft, one graft at a time.
How long does a hair transplant take, and when can I go back to work?
It depends on the number of grafts required: your physician schedules your procedure time based on the number of grafts to be transplanted. An FUE hair transplant is a one-day outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, and many people return to work within a few days of their hair restoration procedure.
What is the difference between FUE and FUT?
FUE (follicular unit extraction) extracts and transplants one hair follicle at a time. It does not require scalpels, stitches or staples, and it does not leave a permanent ear-to-ear linear scar. FUT, the traditional strip method, removes a section of scalp from the back of the head and dissects it into individual grafts, and the wound is stitched or stapled together, leaving a linear scar. FUT sometimes allows a slightly quicker harvest, and the grafts are implanted the same way in both methods.
Real Results
Simple 1 Day Treatment®. Lifetime Results.
Every photo below is a real Advanced Hair patient: Advanced FUE™, their own natural hair, Guaranteed to Grow for Life™.
Kyle M. · 3,000 Advanced FUE™ grafts
Scott H. · 2,500 Advanced FUE™ grafts
Madison T. · 3,300 Advanced FUE™ grafts
AJ S. · 2,500 Advanced FUE™ grafts
Individual results may vary.
Next step
Plan your permanent hair restoration
Schedule a free consultation with Advanced Hair Restoration®. Consultations are in person, so your physician can examine your scalp and donor area directly and map the exact graft count for your procedure.
