Further Information
The FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) or Strip Method is one of the modern hair transplantation methods that lead to natural-looking hair restoration. The results are natural and aesthetically pleasing compared to the ‘old’ plug methods. This method is still used commonly, though considered as a ‘conventional method’.
STEP 1
Taking out the hairy skin strip from the donor zone FUT or strip method consists of freezing the donor area with an anaesthetic solution followed by the removal of the superficial layer of skin in a linear form, from the back of the head ( donor site) while carefully minimizing the follicle damage during the cutting process.
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After the skin strip is taken the wound in the donor zone is closed by a plastic operation. We use the trichophytic closure method on donor zone. This technique gives the possibility to make the post-operational wound unnoticeable even when having a short hair cut, also saves the patients from such unpleasant procedure as the post-operational period removal of sutures. The area is frozen by local anaesthetic fluid to avoid discomfort during the procedure. Sometimes hair does not grow through the donor scar in which case the scar can be covered by FUE/Neograft technique. Though this is an uncommon practice, using Neograft technology the scar can be covered.
STEP 2
Preparation of Grafts out of the cut strip The strip is then taken and excised into individual mini grafts which are used for permanent hair/density restoration in needed areas. FUT Method gave surgeons more control over the size of grafts because one they had the actual, physical strip of skin which contained the hair grafts.
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They could then divide the strip into hundreds or thousands of little mini grafts the area from where the strip is removed is then sutured by either absorbable or non-absorbable sutures which required reasonable stretching of the skin in order for the closure to take place.
STEP 3
Formation of micro slits in the recipient zone he surgeon then prepares micro slits (pyxis) for the implantation of the grafts in recipient zone. These slits represent the surface micro-perforations on the skin length 0.8 – 1.0 mm. For making micro slits we use special needles or sharp microsurgical blades. Read More
Use of such miniature instruments compared to implanters, micro bores and scalpel decreases the tissues traumatisation level, decreases the patient’s rehabilitation period, gives the maximal density of the transplanted hair (up to 60 grafts – 138 follicles for 1cm2).
STEP 4
Implantation of grafts in the micro slits For hair graft implantation we use special implantation pincer or forceps, used in the most leading clinics of the world. Due to the special construction of these instruments, compared to the implanter, forceps help avoid grafts trauma in the implantation procedure. Read More
As the area is anaesthetized by a local anaesthetic, during the entire the procedure the patient is under free moves regime – and he can watch TV, listen to the music, speak on the phone, etc.