Female hair loss is a prominent cosmetic challenge for many patients. However, fewer women undergo a hair transplant or know it is possible. This is most likely caused by the variation in balding patterns and reasons for hair loss that differ between women and men. However, a hair transplant can benefit women as much as men and provide stunning, voluminous results for many patients.
Female hair transplants require a cosmetic surgeon with extensive knowledge of the subtle differences between male and female hair patterns, texture, and follicles. At Hair Restoration Seattle, Dr. Sajan understands these differences and has perfected the techniques that can restore hair loss for women.
FUT, or follicular unit transplantation, is a technology used in female hair restoration that depends on the back of the head having a significant amount of hair. This method takes strips of donor hair from another part of the scalp and implants them into the target area. FUT hair transplant grafts are of higher quality than FUE because they are processed under a microscope.
Additionally, the donor follicles are individual follicles taken from the area with the most hair and do not require patients to shave their heads fully. While the FUT method does leave some scarring, as long as the patient does not buzz their head, it will not show. Dr. Sajan uses an advanced suture technique known as a trichophytic closure, meaning he creates and closes the incisions in a manner that will allow the hair follicles to grow through the scar. The FUT method has a slightly higher survival rate than the FUE, but both techniques have a survival rate above 95%.
The FUE, or Follicular Until Extraction, is the second type of female hair transplant technology. It spares the donor hair follicles from significant removal and does not leave any scarring on the scalp. Dr. Sajan will use the FUE machine to extract hair grafts one at a time and individually place the hairs in the target area.
However, this method does require the patient to have a fully shaved head before the procedure begins, and the hair follicles won’t be high in quality because they are not harvested under a microscope. This does not mean they are bad quality, as they are still harvested with magnifications, they are just not as thick as FUT grafts. Dr. Sajan can always perform an under-shave for patients who don’t want to shave the entire scalp. The FUE method is a much longer process than the FUT but can be more cost-effective. The survival rate is slightly lower than the FUT method but is still above 95%.
After determining the donor area, Dr. Sajan will mark the donor strip. He will gently remove the strip of skin, including the hair follicles without separating them from one another. The strip of hair is broken apart into separate grafts. Dr. Sajan will then precisely place each individual graft into the areas of hair loss and thinning.
The FUT hair transplant surgery process takes around four hours. This is significantly less than FUE hair procedures which can take several hours and an entire day of surgical time. The area where Dr. Sajan removed the strip of skin is closed using specific suturing techniques that maintain hair growth.
