Below is a chart that compares the basic differences between FUE and FUT hair transplant procedures. See the handy downloadable version as well. For more details, visit our FUE vs. FUT Overview and a detailed summary of advantages and disadvantages of FUE over FUT for further exploration of this important topic.
Issue
FUE
FUT
Scarring
Small round scars
Line Scar
Donor healing
Shorter
Longer
Exercise limitations
No
Yes
Post-op discomfort
Little to none
Some
Useful in those with greater donor scarring risk
Yes
No
Useful in repairing donor scars
Yes
Yes
Can have surgery with tight scalp
Yes
No
Useful for harvesting fine hair (neck)
Yes
No
Harvest body hair
Yes
No
Risk of harvesting non-permanent hair
Significant
Low
Graft quality
Variable
High
Follicular unit yield
Lower
Higher
Scarring is additive
Yes
No
Donor area shaved
Yes (unless long-hair FUE)
No
Capping
Yes
No
Buried grafts
May happen
No
Microscopic dissection in addition to extraction
May be necessary
N/A
Thinned donor area from graft harvesting
Yes
Yes
Narrowing donor area can expose scars
Yes
Rare
Size of single session limited by time
Yes
No
Grafts outside body for longer time
Yes
No
More expensive
Yes
No