Only two methods of hair transplantation are approved by ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, USA) FUE (Strip) and FUE. There is also known one more robotized hair transplantation (Artas).
FUE (stitchless) method is special because grafts are taken separately from the donor area (back of head) with a special, 0.6-0.9 mm diameter, miniature tool – punch, without any linear incision. That’s why the method was later called “stitchless”, “non-surgical”, etc.
In case of Strip Method a skin strip is extracted from the back of head and then it is separated by follicular units – grafts, which are transplanted in balding areas (recipient area). Hairline scars are hidden by a “trichophytic closure” technique introduced by Mario Marzola, which leaved practically invisible scars on the back of head.
The main difference between these two methods is that in case of Strip method a fine linear scar is left on the back of head, which can be noticed only on shaved scalp or very short (less than 1.0mm) haircut, and in case of FUE there is no linear scar, though a lot of tiny (0.8mm diameter), round scars are left on the back of head, which can also be noticed on shaved head due to the skin features.
According to Bradley Wolf Strip method leaves one scar for all grafts, whereas FUE method forms each scar for each graft.
The idea, to consider FUE method as more advantageous than Strip method only because of the fact that there is no linear scar formed on the back of head, is disputable. In case of Strip method, if a surgeon considers the wound healing conditions, defines the measures of donor area correctly, performs donor area plastics professionally using “trichophytic closure” technique, a very fine linear scar is formed, which can’t be noticed even in case of very short haircut.
During Strip method Graft preparation is performed under a stereoscopic microscope by experienced assistants, with 10-20 times magnification, which significantly improves quality of graft processing and lessens the possibility of follicle damaging. All of these factors are directly reflected in the results of the procedure. And in case of FUE method grafts are retained from the donor area using a tool (0.6-0.9mm diameter punch) after forming a cylindrical incision around a graft. In such conditions the possibility of damaging curly hair is very high.
It must me mentioned that both methods (FUE and Strip) are widely used in the whole world. Both of them have their advantages, features, effects and side effects, it isn’t correct to consider them as opposing methods of each other. Vice versa, their combination gives us more possibilities to perform hair transplantation with maximum effectiveness and to get good volume of transplanted hair even in case of high quality balding.
What is HFE Method? Learn more >>>
