Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) hair transplants are reliable procedures that produce excellent, long-lasting results. Here at PRECISION HAIR, we are a specialist hair transplant clinic, and our experts have carried out over 10,000 hair transplants across the UK. Restore your hair loss and boost your confidence today.
Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) hair transplants are one of the two key methods of extracting hair follicles from one part of the body and implanting them in an area where the hair is thinning or falling out. Follicular Unit Extraction (PRECISION HAIR) is the other primary hair transplant procedure.
A FUT hair transplant is a procedure which involves precision and expert knowledge. Using cutting-edge surgical instruments, our specialist team of surgeons remove a thin strip of skin from the back of the head, extract follicular units directly from the strip and place them into tiny incisions made in the scalp.
The procedure takes around 8 hours to complete, but this will vary depending on the severity of the patient’s hair loss and the number of grafts that need to be transplanted. The recovery time for FUT surgery is very manageable — usually lasting between 10-12 days. You’ll begin to see results after a few months, with your hair becoming thicker and stronger between 6-12 months.
A FUT hair transplant is a delicate procedure, so it will usually take a full day to complete. You can expect a day in surgery to be as follows.
The first step in FUT hair transplantation is to prepare the scalp for surgery. This is done by trimming the hair at the back of your head (the donor area) that will be removed during surgery. Shaving the full head is not necessary as it is for an PRECISION HAIR hair transplant.
Once you’re prepped for surgery, your surgeon will inject the donor area with a local anaesthetic. While this may cause minor discomfort, it will numb your scalp, enabling the extraction stage to be carried out painlessly.
Once the donor area is receptive to no pain or discomfort, the surgeon will cut out the thin strip of skin, ready for the hair follicles to be extracted. This part of the procedure requires a great deal of diligence and precision from our expert surgeons to ensure that no follicles are damaged.
After the scalp strip has been removed, it will be placed under a microscope and divided into pieces, containing 1 to 4 hairs (hair grafts). The number of grafts needed will depend on the extent of your hair loss and desired results, however, our surgeons will always try and extract as many grafts as possible from those available. These grafts will be later transplanted as new hair.
Next, the surgeon will close the extraction site with sutures, using a specialist tool called a trichophytic. The process will involve an internal stitch to eliminate tension in the donor area, followed by an external stitch. This stitch will leave you with a linear scar on the back of your head, but this will not be visible unless you have very short hair.
At this stage of the FUT hair transplant, your surgeon will once again administer local anaesthetic — this time where the hair will be transplanted (also known as the recipient area). Then, a small number of micro-incisions on your scalp will be made, in areas where hair follicles are to be implanted.
Once the incisions have been made, hair follicles will be manually inserted one at a time into the thinning or balding areas of your scalp. Your surgeon will do this in a pattern that appears natural and in keeping with your natural hair growth.
After this process is complete, your surgeon will apply bandages to your head for protection and you will be provided with aftercare instructions. Following this guidance is critical for speeding up the recovery process and achieving the best results.
Your consultation, surgery and follow ups will all be with the same, dedicated PHC surgeons
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After the procedure, your surgeon will give you clear instructions on how to care for your scalp. The first couple of weeks after the hair transplant are the most crucial for achieving the best results, so following your surgeon’s advice is very important.
Within the first two weeks, you are encouraged to avoid exercise and washing your hair. Taking time away from work to rest is also advised. Keeping your head elevated on a few pillows — especially while you’re sleeping — and avoiding touching your scalp during the first week after your operation will reduce swelling and the risk of infection. Although stitches are dissolvable, we recommend removing them within 10 to 14 days after the procedure. This will provide a much more comfortable experience.
Your doctor will go over the aftercare information with you after your surgery and our team are only a phone call away if you have any concerns — or if you just want to update us on your progress.
For more in-depth information on hair transplant aftercare, read our blog.
Although you may be interested in having a FUT hair transplant, it isn’t suited to everyone. The extent of your hair loss, your expectations of the surgery, and the amount of donor hair you have available are all factors which must be taken into consideration.
The most accurate way to determine your suitability is to book a free hair transplant consultation with your chosen clinic. A trained surgeon will evaluate your situation and give you expert, honest advice.
If you’d like to gather some more information to better understand the details of hair restoration, along with what options are available to you; book a consultation with your nearest PRECISION HAIR Clinics centre today. Otherwise, take a look at our hair transplant finance and repayment options.
“Dr. Muhammad put me at ease and made me feel truly comfortable. The entire process was much easier than I expected, and my results are fantastic.”
It’s our advanced follicular extraction technique, where individual grafts are removed and implanted directly by the surgeon using fine forceps, without the need for pre-made incisions. It works for most types of hair loss and is known for natural-looking, high-density results with minimal downtime.
PRECISION HAIR is a minimally invasive technique, so rather than a single linear scar, you’re left with tiny, evenly spread puncture marks in the donor area that fade significantly and are easily concealed even with short hair. Your surgeon will talk you through what to expect for your specific case at consultation.
The area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic before we begin, so most patients feel little to no pain during the procedure itself, just some pressure or tugging. Mild soreness or tightness in the days after is normal and easily managed with the aftercare medication we provide.
Yes, we’ll send you home with a short course of medication, such as pain relief and antibiotics, to support healing and reduce the risk of infection. Some patients are also prescribed ongoing treatments like minoxidil or finasteride to help protect existing hair and support long-term results.
This depends on factors like your degree of hair loss, donor hair availability, and desired outcome. During your consultation, one of our surgeons will assess your scalp and goals in person and recommend whether PRECISION HAIR, FUT, or another approach is the right fit for you.
Transplanted hair typically sheds within the first few weeks, which is a normal part of the process, before new growth begins around month three to four. Most patients see noticeable thickening by month six, with full, final results visible at around twelve months.
The run up to my transplant was smooth
with Jeremy ready to answer any and all
questions I had prior to the procedure. On
the morning he phoned me to check I wa…
Posted 4 weeks ago
The run up to my transplant was smooth
with Jeremy ready to answer any and all
questions I had prior to the procedure. On
the morning he phoned me to check I wa…
Posted 4 weeks ago
The run up to my transplant was smooth
with Jeremy ready to answer any and all
questions I had prior to the procedure. On
the morning he phoned me to check I wa…
Posted 4 weeks ago
