FUT vs FUE Hair Transplants: Which is Better?

Key Takeaways:

• FUT is better for large areas of baldness, includes fewer sessions, and has a lower price point.

• FUE offers a less invasive option with minimal scarring and faster recovery.

• The best hair transplant option for you depends on your goals, your budget, the time you have available for appointments and recovery, and your tolerance for scarring.

Hair transplants can restore confidence and volume, but choosing the right procedure matters. 

There are two main types of hair transplant techniques: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). Both offer long-lasting, natural-looking results and can be a worthwhile investment, but they differ in cost, recovery time, and appearance.

Here’s what you need to know about FUT vs. FUE, including a side-by-side comparison to help you decide whether hair transplant surgery is right for you and which one makes more sense.

Both FUT and FUE hair transplant procedures are effective at treating hair loss. In fact, both have high success rates.

For FUT procedures, healthcare professionals remove a strip of hair follicles from your head where others may not notice it’s missing. 

The donor hair follicles are then transplanted to an area where your hair is thinning — that is, a recipient site. The main drawback of FUT is the linear scar it can leave on the donor area of the scalp, usually on the back of the head.

FUE is a newer type of hair transplant. During FUE procedures, healthcare professionals select individual hair follicles to transplant to the recipient area via “micropunches” or small holes that leave barely noticeable scars. Although FUE transplants take longer, they are less invasive, produce minimal scarring, and require a shorter recovery time. 

According to a 2022 survey by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, FUE transplants are more popular than FUT.  

But FUT hair transplants have their benefits. The procedure is faster than the FUE technique, and FUT can cover a larger area of your scalp, making it a good choice if you have a significant bald patch. 

It’s also worth noting that you can get an FUE procedure after an FUT procedure, but not vice versa. So, if you opt for an FUT transplant, you can get an FUE transplant at a later stage if necessary.

The FUT technique is also called the “strip method.” 

During an FUT procedure, a hair transplant surgeon will remove a strip of skin from a part of your scalp with healthy, functional hair follicles. Usually, surgeons use the back of the head as the donor site.

The exact size of the strip depends on the amount of hair you need to cover your bald spots. But usually, the strip of scalp is a maximum of 1.5 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide. 

The surgeon then divides the strips into smaller groups of follicles and transplants these units into the recipient area — for example, your hairline or the crown of your head.

The grafts are generally large enough that complete hair restoration can often be achieved in just one or two sessions. 

The FUE method is a newer type of hair transplant that transfers individual follicular units of hair from your skin to balding areas or areas with thinning hair. The surgeon then replaces dead hair follicles with healthy follicles that can grow new hair.

Because the FUE technique involves transplanting individual follicles, it takes longer than the FUT technique.

Compared to FUT hair transplants, the FUE method involves making smaller incisions, which results in minimal scarring.

Is FUT better than FUE? Or vice versa?

When weighing the FUE versus FUT pros and cons, it’s important to consider your unique situation. While one technique might work best for your buddy, you might opt for a different procedure because of your circumstances.

“Both FUE and FUT are effective treatment options, and I recommend discussing both with your transplant surgeon to see which option would be best for your scalp,” says Dr. Knox Beasley, MD, board-certified dermatologist and medical expert for Hims.

We’ve highlighted the main differences to consider in the table below.

Given this info, FUT might be a better choice if you: 

• Want to cover a larger bald patch

• Want a higher graft count in one session

• Don’t mind having a visible linear scar until your hair grows to cover it  

• Might have a second transplant at a later stage

• Want to finish your transplant in one session, which will take about eight hours

• Are on a tighter budget

On the other hand, FUE might be a better choice if you: 

• Don’t want a visible linear scar

• Don’t mind multiple shorter sessions, because FUE sessions can be broken up into about four two-hour appointments

• Don’t want another hair transplant in the future

• Prefer a shorter healing time

• Want to avoid an invasive procedure

• Can afford a more costly surgery

Both types of procedures have their benefits and drawbacks. If you’re struggling to decide, chat with an expert. Some hair transplant clinics offer a free consultation for prospective customers.

Now, let’s get down to a question you may be nervous about: How much will your hair transplant cost? 

In most cases, FUE is more expensive than FUT. In fact, FUE can be two or three times the cost of FUT. 

Generally, you can expect to invest up to $13,000 in hair transplant surgery in the United States. Some clinics charge per graft, while others charge per session. 

Yep, that’s a pretty high price — and a pretty wide range. The cost will depend on:

• The surgeon you choose

• Whether you opt for FUE or FUT

• The city or town and clinic where you have your surgery

• The number of hair grafts you’ll need  

• The complexity of your case

Typically, health insurance doesn’t cover hair transplant surgery, as it’s considered a cosmetic procedure.  

If the cost of a transplant isn’t in your budget right now, consider more cost-effective hair loss treatment options. 

We offer a wide variety of FDA-approved prescription treatments like finasteride and over-the-counter options, like minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution. 

Hair restoration surgeries — both FUT and FUE — are generally very safe when performed by board-certified surgeons. “FUE does have fewer risks than FUT, but both procedures overall have a very low risk of complications,” Dr. Beasley tells us.

The most common post-op effect is that your scalp may be tender for a few days. Your surgeon might recommend using an over-the-counter pain medication to take the edge off. 

In all hair transplant surgeries, there’s a chance that some or all of the hair grafts won’t “take” or regrow, or hair may grow back in uneven patches. In either of these cases, healthcare professionals often recommend additional attempts.

Possible hair transplant surgery complications are often mild but include:

• Bleeding on the scalp

• Swelling caused by excess fluids (edema)

• Inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis) of the transplanted hair

• Numbness of the scalp

• Epidermal cysts and ingrown hair 

It’s also possible to experience an infection after hair transplant surgery. Fewer than one percent of patients experience this adverse effect. You can treat infections by exfoliating with warm compresses, shampooing twice a day, and taking any antibiotics your doctor prescribes.

Lastly, it’s normal to experience hair shedding — called shock loss — in the first few weeks after a hair transplant. This is a sign your transplanted hair follicles are entering the hair growth cycle, and your hairs will start regrowing within the next few months. 

Shock loss is generally temporary. If you’re willing to be patient, you’ll be rewarded with more abundant and thicker hair.

If you’re dealing with male pattern baldness, you may be considering FUT or FUE hair transplants. Both hair transplant techniques are permanent and will eventually give you a fuller head of hair, but there are some key differences between the two.  

• FUE is the more popular choice. It’s less invasive and doesn’t leave visible scarring. It’s also less painful and has a shorter recovery time.

• FUT may be more successful for significant hair loss. FUT hair transplants can be better for people who want a large area covered in only one session.

• Pricing varies widely. Hair transplants can be expensive, and the costs can vary depending on the number of grafts you need and the surgeon you choose. Generally speaking, FUT tends to be cheaper.

You might want to consider other hair loss treatments if hair transplant surgery is out of your budget for now. 

We can help you book an online appointment with a healthcare professional to get more individualized guidance. They can help assess your hair loss, suggest treatment options, and talk you through the pros and cons of FUE versus FUT.