The procedure: FUE, FUT and how graft counts work

Every hair transplant has three stages

1. Harvesting the grafts from the donor area
2. Preserving the grafts outside the body
3. Implanting the grafts into the thinning area

The main difference between techniques is in how grafts are harvested. There are really only two approaches:

FUT — the traditional strip method

A strip of scalp with hair is removed from the back of the head, dissected into grafts, and implanted into the thinning area. It leaves a linear scar on the back of the head.

FUE — the minimally invasive method

Individual follicular units are extracted one by one, scattered across the donor area, and implanted following the natural direction of hair growth. No linear scar. Both the donor and recipient areas usually need to be shaved.

Which one? FUE is the mainstream choice today: no scalpel incision, less bleeding, and a shorter recovery. The clinic's guidance is to prefer FUE.

What about SHT, BHT, "3D", and no-shave transplants?

These are variations and marketing packages built on top of FUE — different tools and handling techniques offered by different providers. Three things to know:

• If you want to avoid shaving the recipient area (to skip the awkward grow-out phase) and your budget allows, a no-shave FUE technique is an option.
• Survival rate depends far more on the surgeon's skill and experience than on the instrument. Fancy devices mainly lower the skill demanded of the operator. Choose an experienced doctor first.
• Most reputable providers contractually guarantee a survival rate of 80% or higher before surgery. If every technique on offer carries the same guaranteed survival rate, the difference between them matters much less.

FU vs. hairs: how transplants are counted

• FU (follicular unit) — the unit transplants are priced and planned in.
• HF (hair follicles / hair count) — the number of individual hairs.

One follicular unit typically contains 1–4 hairs. Transplants are counted in follicular units, not individual hairs — a distinction that matters when comparing quotes (see the pricing guide).

How is transplant density decided?

Density is measured in follicular units per square centimetre (FU/cm²) and depends on hair type and goals:

• Men: typically 60–65 FU/cm²
• Women with fine, soft hair: about 55 FU/cm²; with coarser hair: about 50 FU/cm²
• If your follicular units carry fewer hairs each, the planned density goes up to compensate.

How many units will I need?

The transplant area is determined by the extent of hair loss, your head size, and the design of the restoration area — so it varies person to person. Most procedures use between 1,000 and 3,000 follicular units. A pre-surgery consultation produces the actual estimate.