Part of Hair restoration: a dermatologist's guide
Hair transplant: how FUE, FUT and DHI differ
All three methods move the same thing, follicular units, from the back of the scalp to thinning areas. They differ in how the grafts are taken and placed, and in the scar they leave.
Updated
FUE, FUT and DHI are three ways of doing the same operation: moving follicular units, the natural groups of one to four hairs, from the back and sides of the scalp to areas that are thinning. The hair at the back of the scalp resists the hormonal process behind pattern hair loss, so it keeps growing after it is moved. The methods differ in how the grafts are harvested and how they are placed.
What is FUT?
In follicular unit transplantation (FUT), a thin strip of scalp is removed from the donor area and the wound is closed with sutures. Technicians then divide the strip under magnification into individual follicular units, which are placed into small incisions in the thinning area. FUT leaves a fine linear scar at the back of the head, usually hidden by surrounding hair.
What is FUE?
In follicular unit excision (FUE), each follicular unit is taken directly from the scalp with a small round punch, so there is no strip and no sutured wound. FUE leaves many tiny dot-like scars spread across the donor area, which are usually easy to conceal, including with shorter hairstyles.
What is DHI?
DHI (direct hair implantation) is a way of placing grafts rather than harvesting them. Grafts are usually taken by FUE and then inserted with an implanter pen that creates the opening and places the graft in one movement, instead of first making all the incisions and then inserting the grafts.
Which method is better?
Neither harvesting method is better for everyone. A 2020 comparison in Dermatologic Surgery concluded that both produce high-quality grafts; the main practical difference is the scar, linear for FUT and punctate for FUE, and different patients are suited to one, the other or both. The choice depends on:
- How many grafts are needed and how much donor hair is available.
- How short the patient wants to wear their hair, since a linear scar can show with very short cuts.
- The condition of the scalp. Inflammation or scarring changes the plan, and may call for preparing the scalp before surgery.
What does a transplant not do?
A transplant redistributes existing follicles; it does not create new ones or stop the native hair around the grafts from thinning. That is why medical treatment and regenerative options such as PRP are often continued alongside surgery, as described in the hair restoration guide.
Questions
Does FUE leave a scar?
Yes, but a different one. FUE leaves many small dot-like scars spread across the donor area instead of one linear scar, and they are usually easy to conceal.
Is DHI different from FUE?
DHI describes how grafts are placed, with an implanter pen. The grafts themselves are usually harvested by FUE, so the two are often parts of the same procedure.