Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

Hair loss can leave you searching for solutions, but not all treatments offer lasting, natural-looking results. At Allure Esthetic, Dr. Javad Sajan specializes in Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), a proven hair restoration technique designed to achieve maximum density in a single session. Unlike other methods, FUT preserves the donor area without requiring a full shave, allowing for discreet and seamless recovery.

Whether you're restoring a receding hairline or thickening thinning areas, FUT delivers long-lasting, undetectable results.

FUT, sometimes called linear strip excision, removes a narrow ellipse of hair-bearing scalp from the back of the head. Under high-power microscopes, the strip is separated into naturally occurring follicular units (1–6 hairs each) before Dr. Sajan places them into micro-slits across thinning zones. Because these follicles come from the safe donor area, they retain their resistance to DHT even after relocation, supporting long-lasting, natural growth that can persist for many years.

Even in an era dominated by FUE, FUT remains the gold standard for safely transplanting the most significant number of grafts in one sitting. Strip harvesting protects each follicle’s connective-tissue sheath, boosting survival rates, lowering the cost per graft, and preventing donor over-harvesting—advantages especially valuable for advanced Norwood patterns or anyone who wears their hair longer than a #3 guard.

Not every thinning pattern requires FUT, but certain situations make it the superior choice. If any of the following apply, a FUT evaluation is worthwhile:

• Men or women with genetic hair loss who need higher graft counts.
• Patients who prefer no shaving in the donor region (helpful for women)
• Advanced hair-loss stages where density demands outpace FUE yield.
• Healthy adults without bleeding disorders or a tendency to form keloids

A well-planned FUT procedure offers a blend of density, discretion, and efficiency that newer methods often fail to match. Here’s what patients gain when they choose the strip technique:

• Reliable coverage for pattern baldness – Replaces hair lost to male or female pattern baldness and fills obvious bald spots for a noticeably fuller head of hair.
• Natural-looking hairline – Carefully placed follicular units recreate your original growth pattern, so the restored hairline blends seamlessly.
• Maximum fullness that grows with you – Once rooted, the transplanted follicles continue to grow naturally through future hair cycles.
• Scar stays hidden – A single linear incision sits beneath surrounding hair, remaining out of sight with normal hairstyles.
• No donor-area shaving – Unlike FUE, FUT lets you keep your existing length in back—ideal for anyone avoiding a drastic haircut.

Harvesting Method

• FUT: A thin donor strip is removed, then dissected under a microscope.
• FUE: Follicles are punched out one by one.

Scarring

• FUT: Single concealed line under surrounding hair.
• FUE: Hundreds of pin-dot scars, visible if hair is shaved very short.

Shaving Requirement

• FUT: None—donor hair can stay long.
• FUE: Full donor-area shave is required.

Graft Yield & Cost

• FUT: Higher graft count per session and usually lower cost per graft.
• FUE: Moderate yield; price per graft is typically higher.

Best Fit For

• FUT: Advanced hair loss or patients who keep their hair long.
• FUE: Small touch-ups or those who prefer buzz-cut styles.

After mapping your donor zone, Dr. Sajan outlines a slim strip of hair-bearing scalp and carefully excises it, keeping each follicle intact and connected. Technicians then divide the strip into individual grafts, which Dr. Sajan places one by one into thinning or balding areas for natural coverage. The entire procedure averages approximately four hours, significantly shorter than many FUE sessions. The donor site is closed with specialized sutures designed to promote ongoing hair growth.

FUT fees are based on the number of grafts required for your specific pattern of hair loss, so your total investment depends on the density you wish to achieve. Dr. Sajan will provide an exact graft count and offer a personalized quote during your consultation. To make treatment accessible, we partner with Alphaeon Credit and CareCredit, both of which provide flexible monthly plans often with promotional 0% interest periods, allowing you to spread payments comfortably over time while moving forward with your procedure.

Is FUT better than FUE?

Both techniques work, but FUT can be superior when you need the highest graft count, want to avoid shaving, or prefer a single hidden linear scar, while FUE may be better for short-hairstyle patients who wish to minimize scarring.

Is 1,000 hair grafts a lot?

It’s about average: FUT patients usually need 500+ grafts, and most FUE cases exceed 1,000 grafts, so 1,000 sits near the mid-range of typical transplant sizes.

How much hair is 2,000 grafts?

Each graft contains 1 – 6 hairs; therefore, 2,000 grafts could restore roughly 2,000 – 12,000 individual hairs, depending on graft composition.

Does FUT leave a scar?

Yes, a thin linear scar forms at the donor site, but it hides beneath surrounding hair and is invisible in everyday hairstyles.

Which looks more natural, FUE or FUT?

Both produce natural-looking results when performed correctly; FUT recreates a natural hairline, and FUE yields similarly seamless outcomes—the choice hinges more on scarring and haircut preferences than on aesthetics.