Help! Urgent advice needed for daunted individual!

[NZK Medical]

Ok i take your point on that,
But i still think fue is better over fut regards scaring

Hello @Philw, thanks for your reply. I understand your point of view. Scarring, it´s all a matter of degrees really. FUT as a technique option is far from fashionable. From the clinic's point of view. It requires more staff with a wider range of skills. It requires, dependent on the FUE protocols (if the dr punches or the techs), more input from the doctor. As only the dr can excise the strip and suture. From the hair transplant candidate's point of view, they would prefer no linear scar. Obviously, it´s possible to search for good and bad scarring from both techniques.

Smaller procedures or lesser total graft numbers lend themselves to FUE. As the random extraction can be spread in an uneven pattern around a relatively wide area. Consequently, the extraction can be harder to see. Even with short hair. Especially compared to a linear scar. FUE, the reduction in hair density around the donor can also be minimal. If the extraction is spread over a wide area. Therefore it makes perfect sense to use FUE on smaller sessions or if hair loss is not advanced. As the donor hair density is not obviously changed and the scarring is random and spread. Cosmetically, maybe psychologically also, you can restore your hair without any glaringly obvious scarring, like a linear scar.

But, with FUE, as the number of extractions increases. The extraction points become closer. Also, the scarring increases. The hair density around the donor drops by larger % points. The % that can be removed can be debated. Much comes down to the clinic's protocols. But, the fact is. The donor hair density is greatly reduced. As well as scarring multiplied. It will reach a level of scarring that is greater than using FUT. To extract the same number of grafts. Once passed that point FUE is creating more scarring than FUT. Especially as FUT can englobe an existing scar to extract more hair. Resulting in one linear scar still.

The psychology of wanting to mask how the result is achieved is real. Nothing wrong with that either, makes perfect sense. This makes FUE more desirable. Ironically though technically potentially wrong. FUT may create technically less scarring. But still, be less appealing. There is a place for both techniques. Maybe an individual is suitable for either equally. Maybe better suited to one over the other. But, the pros and cons should be understood.

 

[Salazar]

Smaller procedures or lesser total graft numbers lend themselves to FUE. As the random extraction can be spread in an uneven pattern around a relatively wide area. Consequently, the extraction can be harder to see. Even with short hair.

What is the maximum number of grafts that you would recommend for FUE?

 

[Salazar]

I have seen a couple of posters on other forums with results from Dr Kay and Williams but not as much as Dr FArgos.

Thanks, MPBsucks1234. I haven't been able to find anything other than on Dr Farjo.

 

[NZK Medical]

What is the maximum number of grafts that you would recommend for FUE?

Hello @Salazar, there is no definitive answer to the question. There are so many variables. There must be a principle for donor hair management. This will be flexible to accommodate variables. As a general protocol. The max number of grafts recommended in the first procedure would be around 2500 to 3000. Then measure the donor healing to assess how many more can safely be removed for subsequent procedures. The number of grafts is likely to be reduced with every procedure. As the donor hair density is also reduced each time. With a well above-average donor area using FUE potentially reaching around 6000 plus intact natural follicular units. Over multiple procedures. Without causing the donor to look obviously impaired.

From an FUE candidate's view. Protocols vary in different clinics. Your goals and expectations may be influenced by the way a clinic approaches your hair restoration. For instance, if a clinic agrees to max out the first session and takes as many grafts as they can. This may seem appealing but will have consequences. Or start with fewer grafts. Spreading the extraction. Preserving the donor and healing. Allowing for many more grafts to be extracted safely over the long term. Hope that helps.

 

[Salazar]

Thanks, NZK Medical.

The max number of grafts recommended in the first procedure would be around 2500 to 3000.

That's actually higher than I was anticipating.

As the random extraction can be spread in an uneven pattern around a relatively wide area. Consequently, the extraction can be harder to see. Even with short hair.

This is my primary concern. I want to be able to shave the hair short without the back of my head having a polka dot pattern.

 

[Philw]

If u have fut u will haves big smiley face scar trust me
Fue no 1 guard u will be ok
Zero guard not sure

 

[Salazar]

Fue no 1 guard u will be ok
Zero guard not sure

That's okay. I don't think I would go as low as zero. I've been down to a one before and that was short enough. Thanks, Philw.

 

[Philw]

DONT DO FUT
fue is only way

 

[NZK Medical]

Thanks, NZK Medical.

This is my primary concern. I want to be able to shave the hair short without the back of my head having a polka dot pattern.

Hello @Salazar, no one can assure when fully shaved, that any scarring/blemishes will be acceptable as it´s subjective as some will be visible. Rarely you will see shaved hairstyles after a hair transplant. Maybe #2 guard, 6mm or 1/4 inch. Then, with good hair characteristics, it´s often enough to hide any signs. But that would need to be discussed in person during an assessment.

 

[Salazar]

Rarely you will see shaved hairstyles after a hair transplant.

Yeah, that's what worries me, as this is my preferred hairstyle.

 

[NZK Medical]

Yeah, that's what worries me, as this is my preferred hairstyle.

Hello @Salazar, just to confirm, previously you mentioned not going down as low as zero. But you had a #1 before. We mentioned potentially grade #2 as possible. Dependent on your hair characteristics. Do you have a grade or hair length in mind as a minimum you would accept? That´s going to be important to know.

 

[Salazar]

Hello @Salazar, just to confirm, previously you mentioned not going down as low as zero. But you had a #1 before. We mentioned potentially grade #2 as possible. Dependent on your hair characteristics. Do you have a grade or hair length in mind as a minimum you would accept? That´s going to be important to know.

Grade 1 (3mm) would be my ideal. It's not that I would necessarily go this low, but I would like it as a safety net, in case things don't work out, i.e. if my hair loss gets significantly worse. This is really the only thing that stops from me from going ahead with surgery: the fear that in the event of future loss, I can't abandon ship, so to speak; that the visibility of scarring, commits me permanently to maintaining my hair at a longer length.

 

[NZK Medical]

Hello @Salazar. If you have started talking with clinics and not mentioned this. You need to. Including simply if you decide to shave to a #1 at any time. Regardless of hair loss or not. As you have before and may do again. It is important you make this requirement clear. In surgery, there can be grey areas. When questions cannot provide a definitive answer. As a result, if your requirements cannot be assured, it´s best not to start. Especially if the margins are tight. This is elective surgery after all. Best wishes,

 

[Salazar]

In surgery, there can be grey areas. When questions cannot provide a definitive answer.

Yeah, that's what I thought: I'm looking for guarantees that can't be given.

if your requirements cannot be assured, it´s best not to start.

Maybe, but I suspect that, given enough time, my unhappiness will cause me to modify my requirements.

Best wishes,

You too. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Kevboy]

I think there is more bad strip scar pictures because it has been around a lot longer than FUE and has more potential for scarring due to it being more invasive. FUE cases showing bad scarring and depleted donors are on the increase.
Necrosis seems to be a problem when they extract grafts close together.

 

[NZK Medical]

Maybe, but I suspect that, given enough time, my unhappiness will cause me to modify my requirements.

You too. Thank you for your advice.

Hello @Salazar, that may be the case. You will be doing this with the understanding of the pros and cons and make your decision with a clear head. always best. Good luck.

 

[MaxMidlander]

Woah . The scarring above looks really bad ! Why does it look like that ?

 

[Kevboy]

It might be Necrosis.

 

[MaxMidlander]

Looks real bad !