Follicular Unit Transplantation

FUT Hair Transplant Edinburgh

FUT hair transplant treatment in Edinburgh involves removing a narrow strip of hair-bearing scalp from the donor area. The tissue is carefully divided into individual follicular-unit grafts before implantation into the planned recipient area.

  • Donor density and scalp-laxity assessment
  • Follicular-unit preparation under magnification
  • Linear donor scar discussed before treatment
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FUT strip method
FUT hair transplant strip removal and graft implantation process
1 Donor planning
2 Graft preparation
3 Graft placement

Why Might FUT Be Considered?

Hair loss can affect the frontal hairline, temples, mid-scalp or crown. Before surgery is considered, the cause and progression of the hair loss should be assessed and the available donor supply examined.

FUT may be considered when a suitable strip of donor scalp is available and the patient normally wears the donor hair long enough to conceal a linear scar. It may also appeal to someone who prefers not to shave a larger donor area.

The technique is not restricted to severe hair loss and is not automatically the most appropriate method for every patient. The choice depends on scalp laxity, donor density, previous surgery, hairstyle, treatment objectives and graft requirements.

Treatment planning should also consider future thinning. Transplanted hair does not prevent untreated natural hair from continuing to lose density.

How Does an FUT Hair Transplant Work?

Early postoperative FUT donor-area closure

The consultation and planning process begins with assessment of the hair loss, scalp, donor area, medical history and treatment goals. The recipient-area design and donor strip are agreed before surgery.

Hair within the planned strip area is trimmed, while surrounding donor hair can usually remain longer. Local anaesthetic is then used to numb the donor and recipient areas.

A narrow section of hair-bearing scalp is removed. The donor wound is closed using the method considered appropriate for that patient, leaving a permanent linear scar.

The donor strip is divided under magnification into individual follicular-unit grafts. Care is taken to preserve the follicles and organise the grafts according to the number of hairs they contain.

Recipient sites are created according to the planned distribution, direction and angle of growth. The prepared grafts are then placed into those sites.

Who May Be Suitable for FUT?

Suitability requires examination of the donor area and cannot be determined from photographs or an estimated graft number alone.

FUT May Be Considered When

  • A suitable strip of healthy donor scalp is available.
  • The donor hair is normally worn long enough to cover a scar.
  • A larger donor-area shave is not preferred.
  • Scalp laxity is appropriate for strip removal and closure.
  • The proposed coverage is realistic for the donor supply.
  • The patient understands the linear scar and recovery.

FUT May Be Less Appropriate When

  • The donor hair is regularly worn extremely short.
  • The scalp has limited laxity or significant previous scarring.
  • There is active inflammation, infection or scalp disease.
  • A health condition or medication may affect wound healing.
  • The donor area is diffusely thin or unsuitable.
  • The requested coverage exceeds the available donor supply.

Potential Benefits and Limitations of FUT

The advantages and limitations of strip harvesting should be considered alongside the donor area, hairstyle and long-term treatment plan.

Potential Benefits

A larger donor-area shave is not normally required. Hair outside the planned strip can usually remain longer.

Follicular units can be prepared from a defined strip of donor tissue under magnification.

FUT may be considered where the patient is comfortable wearing the donor hair long enough to conceal a linear scar.

Limitations

FUT creates a permanent linear donor scar. The scar may become more visible when the hair is cut very short.

Recovery includes healing of a surgical donor wound and may involve stitches or staples.

Scalp laxity, previous donor surgery and individual healing can affect suitability and the final appearance of the scar.

FUT Recovery and Hair Growth

Donor-Area Recovery

The donor wound may feel tight, tender or achy during early recovery. Temporary numbness, itching or altered sensation may also occur.

Aftercare should explain washing, wound care, exercise, medication and whether stitches or staples require removal.

A permanent linear scar remains after healing. Its final appearance varies according to the closure, scalp tension, healing response, previous surgery and hairstyle.

Recipient Area and New Growth

The recipient area may develop temporary redness, tenderness and scabbing. The grafts require careful protection during early healing.

Transplanted hairs commonly shed during the following weeks before new growth begins.

New hair normally appears gradually after several months. Growth and maturation may continue for approximately 10 to 18 months.

What Is the Difference Between FUT and FUE?

FUT and FUE both provide grafts for placement into a recipient area. The main difference is how those grafts are obtained from the donor area.

FUT

FUT removes a narrow strip of donor scalp. The wound is closed and normally leaves one permanent linear scar.

A larger donor-area shave is not normally required. Only hair within the planned strip usually needs to be trimmed.

Recovery includes healing of the donor wound as well as the recipient area.

FUE

FUE removes follicular units individually using small circular punches. It leaves multiple small circular scars rather than one linear scar.

The donor hair is commonly shaved or shortened to allow individual graft extraction.

Neither method is scarless. The appropriate choice depends on the donor area, graft requirement, hairstyle and long-term plan.

Read about FUE

How Much Does an FUT Hair Transplant Cost?

Cost depends on the proposed treatment area, donor suitability, graft requirement, procedure complexity and the work needed to complete the agreed treatment plan.

An exact quotation should follow examination of the scalp and donor area. The choice between FUT and FUE should not be based on price alone.

Read the cost guide

Possible Risks

  • Bleeding, swelling, tenderness and discomfort.
  • Infection or reaction to medication or anaesthetic.
  • A permanent linear donor scar.
  • Scar widening, thickening or an unwanted scar appearance.
  • Temporary numbness, tightness, itching or altered sensation.
  • Wound-healing problems.
  • Temporary shedding of transplanted or existing hair.
  • Poor graft growth or an unwanted cosmetic appearance.
  • Continued thinning of untreated natural hair.

Aftercare

Written aftercare should cover the donor wound as well as the transplanted area.

  • Protecting and washing the transplanted grafts.
  • Keeping the donor closure clean as instructed.
  • Temporary restrictions on exercise and strenuous activity.
  • Medication supplied or recommended by the clinic.
  • Removal of stitches or staples where required.
  • Symptoms that require contact with the clinic.
  • Follow-up appointments and longer-term review.
Dr Harpreet Kalra

Consultation With Dr Harpreet Kalra

Hair transplant surgeon · GMC reference 7126076

A consultation can examine the diagnosis and progression of hair loss, scalp laxity, donor density, previous surgery, scarring preferences and the amount of donor hair available.

The relative advantages and limitations of FUT, FUE and non-surgical options should be discussed before a treatment recommendation is made.

Read about Dr Kalra

FUT Hair Transplant FAQs

What does FUT stand for?

FUT stands for Follicular Unit Transplantation. It is also known as strip harvesting or the strip method.

Does FUT leave a scar?

Yes. Removal and closure of the donor strip normally leaves a permanent linear scar.

Does the whole donor area need to be shaved?

Normally only the hair within the planned donor strip is trimmed. Surrounding donor hair can usually remain longer.

Is FUT performed using local anaesthetic?

FUT is normally carried out using local anaesthetic. The injections can be uncomfortable, and postoperative tenderness may occur.

When may FUT be considered instead of FUE?

FUT may be considered where the donor scalp is suitable, a larger shave is not preferred and the patient normally wears the donor hair long enough to cover a linear scar.

When will transplanted hair start growing?

Transplanted hairs commonly shed first. New growth normally begins gradually after several months.

Can natural hair continue to thin?

Yes. Hair that has not been transplanted may continue to thin, which is why long-term planning is important.

How much does FUT cost?

Cost depends on the donor area, treatment size, graft requirement and procedure complexity. An exact quotation follows an individual assessment.

Patient Reviews

Read patient feedback about consultation, communication, treatment-day organisation, recovery guidance and aftercare.