What is the average amount of grafts available in a FUT vs FUE procedure? Can you get the same long-term results with FUE?

Question

I can't see myself getting a FUT transplant, because after thinking it over extensively, I've decided I do not want a scar (however "slight") across the back of my head for the remainder of my life. I've read in various areas online that if looking for greater coverage, a FUT transplant will yield the most/best results. Is it possible to make a FUE transplant work just the same as FUT, as far as grafts available, quality, etc? I'm anticipating needing multiple procedures thoughout my lifetime.

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

This is an excellent question.  Both FUE and strip methods can yield very good follicles for implantation.  The FUE technique generally takes longer and its limitations the maximum units per day can range from team to team.  In our Center, the average grafting session with FUE is 2,200.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

In general most people have about 8000 grafts available for harvesting without making the donor area look depleted.This applies mostly to the Strip (FUT) procedure.For FUE 4000 to 5000 grafts may make your donor area look very depleted if you keep you hair short.

Karl Hekimian, MD · Answer

As far as growth and graft viability, both techniques are comparable.  The number of grafts available can vary based on your donor site density.  Typically, the maximum number of grafts from an FUE technique is about 2400 in one day or 3000 over two days (this number can be artificially inflated if the grafts containing 2, 3 or more hairs are split into single-hair grafts and counted as 2, 3 or more) and 4500-5500 over a lifetime.  With the FUT technique it is possible to get 3000-3500 grafts in one day, and 5000-8000 over a lifetime.  
When you meet with your surgeon you need to discuss long-term goals as well as short-term goals.  The get the maximum number of grafts available, a series of FUT procedures followed by a final FUE procedure is possible.

Brian Goertz, MD (retired) · Answer

Very good question. More grafts can be obtained from the safe donor area with FUT than FUE. FUT graft survival is greater than FUE graft survival, but that is true only for experienced hair transplant surgeons. Density is greater with FUT than FUE for 2 reasons: 1. Graft survival 2. more three and four hair units. Continue your research and choose your surgeon wisely if you want the best results and avoid bad hair transplant results. An experienced full-time hair restoration surgeon will lead you to the best extraction method for you.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

There are more limits imposed on FUE which you can see from the article I wrote on this very subject below

What is the average amount of grafts available in a FUT vs FUE procedure? Can you get the same long-term results with FUE?

Answers (5)

Answer: FUT versus FUE

Answer: FUT versus FUE

Answer: Limits of FUE/FUT

Answer: Limits of FUE/FUT

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about FUE Hair Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

What is the average amount of grafts available in a FUT vs FUE procedure? Can you get the same long-term results with FUE?

Answers (5)

Answer: FUT versus FUE

Answer: FUT versus FUE

Answer: Limits of FUE/FUT

Answer: Limits of FUE/FUT

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about FUE Hair Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.