1. Follicular Unit Excision

Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) harvesting is a harvesting method used to harvest hair follicles one hair follicle at a time. FUE harvesting is often misrepresented as a scarless surgery or a minimally invasive surgery. It must be noted that FUE surgery will give you scarring and is not a minimally invasive surgery. The difference between FUE and FUT (Strip) is that FUE leaves thousands of round dot scars while FUT (Strip) leaves a single line scar. FUE requires shaving the back of your head to harvest the hairs.

Because of this reason, many women choose not to have the FUE harvest method. In both methods, hair follicles are harvested from the donor area, checked for quality by the surgical staff, then transplanted into the hairline. Some women, who still prefer the FUE harvest method, can have an undercut for the harvesting.

2. Follicular Unit Transplantation (STRIP METHOD)

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) harvesting, often referred to as Strip Surgery or Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS), is the most common method of harvesting the donor hair for women since there is no need for shaving your hair.

You can return to work and normal activity as early as the next day. FUT or Strip surgery involves harvesting the hair with an incision in the back of your head where your donor hair is taken from. You will have a linear incision scar on the back of your head, but it will always be hidden or covered by your hair.

The Internet is full of confusing information regarding the FUT harvesting method. Many patients are afraid of the scar and make their decision based on misleading marketing and misinformation. It must be noted that FUT harvesting is still the Gold Standard in the quality of a hair follicle, and has a higher percentage of growth potential. The ultimate deciding factor in a great surgical result is how the hairs are implanted and less about how the hair is harvested. The final results depend on the artistic talent as well as the technical expertise of the entire surgical staff.

For more information about the differences between the two types of hair transplant procedures, you can read FUE vs FUT: Differences, Pros and Cons.