Both techniques relocate DHT-resistant follicles from the back of the scalp into thinning areas. The whole difference is in the harvest. Here they are side by side.
Side by side
| FUE | FUT (strip) | |
|---|---|---|
| Harvesting | Extracted one graft at a time from the donor area | A thin strip removed, then divided into grafts |
| Scarring | Small dot scars, no line | A single thin line, hidden by hair |
| Recovery | Quicker, less soreness | A little longer; sutures or staples |
| Graft yield | Good for small to large cases | Can yield a high count in one sitting |
| Best if | You keep your hair short | You want max grafts / lower per-graft cost |
| Cost | Usually higher per graft | Usually lower per graft |
Which fits you
FUE is right if you keep your hair short, want no linear scar, and prefer a faster recovery. FUT often wins on value when you need a large graft count in one session and don't mind a hidden strip scar. Many people qualify for either — donor supply, goals, and the surgeon's judgment decide it.
What matters more than technique
Graft survival — typically 90–95%, up to 97–98% with the best surgeons — depends far more on skill and careful handling than FUE versus FUT. Pick the surgeon first, the method second. And most keep you on medication afterward to protect untransplanted hair.
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