Which Hair Transplant is Right for You? FUE or Strip?
Thinking about a hair transplant but feeling a bit overwhelmed by the choices? You’re not alone! The world of hair restoration has evolved, and today, you have options for your procedure. Our patients have experienced amazing, life-changing results with both our Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) and Traditional Strip Method hair transplants. Whether you’re considering FUE or the Strip Method, we’d love to show you how these procedures can transform your hair and confidence!
Check out some of our incredible patient transformations below:
What to Expect: FUE vs. Traditional Strip Method
Both the FUE and the Traditional Strip Method can deliver excellent results, but the process is slightly different depending on which approach you choose.
FUE (Follicular Unit Excision)
This minimally invasive procedure involves harvesting individual hair follicles from the back of your head and transplanting them to areas where you’re thinning or balding. The best part? There’s no linear scar, so you can have a shorter hairstyle without a hitch.
Here’s how the FUE procedure works:
- On the day of surgery, I carefully map out the recipient area where the hair will be transplanted. This involves determining the natural hairline, density, and angle to create a realistic look.
- The donor area (back of the scalp) is then shaved to provide easy access to the hair follicles.
- The patient is given local anesthesia to the donor site to numb the scalp.
- With a steady hand and meticulous care, I’ll extract individual hair follicles from the donor area. It’s all about precision to keep your scalp and follicles in top shape.
- The harvested grafts are immediately placed in a saline solution to preserve their viability.
- We’ll numb the recipient area and make tiny incisions. The direction, depth, and angle of these cuts are key to making sure your new hair grows naturally and blends perfectly with the existing strands.
- Our skilled technicians will then place each follicle into those tiny incisions with great care. It’s all about positioning them just right to ensure they grow in beautifully.
- It usually takes about 5-7 hours, but don’t worry—it’s a comfortable experience. Most patients kick back, watch TV, or listen to music while we work.
- After the procedure, you’ll receive detailed instructions for your recovery. No stitches are involved, and most patients feel comfortable returning to light activity within a few days.
Traditional Strip Method
The Strip Method involves removing a small strip of skin from the donor area, from which we extract individual follicles. While there is a small linear scar left in the donor area, it’s usually well-hidden within your hair. For patients who wear their hair longer, this method can be an excellent option.
Here’s what you can expect with the Strip Method:
- Before starting, we review the patient’s goals and examine the scalp to confirm the plan. We’ll even mark the recipient area to make sure we’re on the same page.
- We start by numbing the donor area at the back of your head. Then, I carefully remove a strip of skin, which is packed with healthy hair follicles ready to be transplanted.
- Once the strip is removed, I’ll stitch up the donor site with precision. This is crucial for minimizing scarring and ensuring a smooth healing process.
- Our team of experienced and trained technicians and dissect the strip into individual follicular units (each containing 1 to 4 hair follicles)
- We numb the recipient area next. I’ll make tiny incisions, carefully considering the natural angle, density, and pattern of your hair.
- Our technicians place the individual grafts into the pre-made incisions. Precision is key, as the grafts need to be placed securely to take root and grow properly
- The whole process takes about 4-5 hours, but don’t worry—you’ll be comfortable and relaxed throughout.
- The recovery time is a bit longer than FUE due to the sutures, but rest assured, the transplanted follicles will grow just as effectively.
When it comes to choosing between hair restoration methods, it’s not really about one being “better” than the other—it’s all about what works best for you and your lifestyle It’s all about finding the right fit for your style and needs!
Thinking about a hair transplant? There’s no better time than now to grab your free consultation with Leonard Hair Transplant Associates! Give us a call at 617-965-7400 or hop over to our website to book your spot.
Dr. Matthew Lopresti