When hair loss hits earlier than expected, FUE offers a permanent solution.
Over 50% of men experience hair loss in their 20s and 30s, mostly caused by genetics and sensitivity to DHT (dehydrotestosterone), a hormone that weakens hair at the crown, but not the back.
While many treatments exist, only hair transplants guarantee results. The two main types are FUT (follicular unit transplantation) and FUE (follicular unit excision).
Male pattern baldness typically impacts the front and top of the head. Hair on the back and sides (the donor area) is resistant to DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss. A hair transplant moves healthy follicles from this donor area to thinning or balding spots. These transplanted hairs keep their DHT resistance, making the results permanent and natural.
Because the donor area has high hair density, medical providers can restore thinning areas using either the FUT or the FUE methods. Hair transplants are the only proven permanent solution for male pattern baldness.
FUE is a hair transplant method that removes individual hair follicles from the donor area and implants them into thinning spots. Techniques and tools have come a long way since their inception in 1939, ensuring precise, natural-looking outcomes.
With an FUE procedure, your medical provider shaves a small donor area and removes individual hair follicles using a specialized micro-punch tool. These follicles are then carefully implanted into thinning and balding areas through small incisions.
The process is precise and can take up to 10 hours, sometimes spread over multiple sessions, depending on the number of grafts. Recovery is quick with small scabs healing in days, minimal discomfort, and little to no downtime. New hair starts growing in a few weeks, with full results in about 6-12 months.
Preparation is simple. Avoid smoking, alcohol, and certain supplements for at least 24 hours before your procedure. Your medical provider will give you personalized pre-op instructions. Always follow their guidance for the best outcome.
You can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, but full healing takes several days. To protect your grafts after the procedure:
Avoid washing your hair for the first few days.
Use a gentle shampoo when you start washing.
Avoid styling products and brushing the transplant area.
Let your scalp breathe. No hats or helmets for a few days.
Skip workouts and sweating to keep the area dry.
Other things to consider:
FUE is a cosmetic procedure and is usually not covered by insurance.
Athens offers flexible financing options.
FUE works well for thinning hair, bald spots.
Your medical provider may recommend medications like Minoxidil to support results.
FUT, or the “strip method,” involves removing a thin strip of scalp to harvest hair follicles, which are then transplanted into thinning areas. It's typically quicker than FUE but leaves a linear scar. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and is generally well-tolerated by patients.
In an FUT procedure, a strip of scalp is removed from the back or sides of the head to harvest DHT-resistant hair follicles. The area is then closed with sutures, leaving a linear scar. The strip is divided into grafts under a microscope, and individual follicles are implanted into tiny incisions in the thinning area.
At Athens, we focus exclusively on FUE hair transplants because it's less invasive and more precise with minimized scarring. While the FUT can be effective, it involves removing a strip of scalp, which leads to a linear scar, longer recovery, and more post-procedure discomfort.
Most patients prefer the natural results an FUE procedure provides. Athens offers a faster-healing, patient-friendly approach to permanent hair restoration.
FUE is the more modern, less invasive option. It uses a micro-punch tool to extract follicles individually, resulting in minimal scarring that's easy to conceal. This precision has made FUE the gold standard for more hair restoration patients.
FUE typically requires shaving the head short to ensure accuracy (Athens also offers a “no-shave” option if preferred). While FUT may allow for longer hair during the procedure, it involves removing a strip of scalp, which leaves a noticeable linear scar and requires a longer recovery.
Both FUT and FUE procedures can restore hair, but FUE offers a more innovative, discreet approach with faster healing and better cosmetic outcomes.
Virtually no visible scarring.
No stitches or sutures needed.
More hairstyle freedom while healing.
Typically higher cost.
May require multiple sessions.
Usually involves shaving the donor area.
Lower upfront cost.
Shorter procedure time.
In some cases, it doesn't require full head shaving.
Noticeable linear scar.
Requires stitches and longer healing.
More post-op discomfort and downtime.
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