Follicular Unit Transplantation

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FUT Hair Transplant (Strip Surgery) in Calgary

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)—also known as strip harvesting—is a surgical hair transplant technique offered at Prime Hair Clinic in Calgary, Alberta. FUT involves removing a thin strip of hair-bearing scalp from the donor area, which is then carefully dissected into individual grafts and transplanted to areas of thinning or hair loss. All procedures are performed by licensed medical professionals, and this method is often recommended for patients who require a high graft yield in a single session.

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Before and after images showing hair restoration results from Prime Hair Hair Transplant Clinic, with the top image displaying thin hair and the bottom image showing fuller hair after treatment.
Two medical professionals in protective gear perform a surgery or medical procedure, focused on a patient's head, in a clinical setting.

What Is FUT Hair Transplant Surgery?

FUT is a well-established hair restoration procedure that provides natural, long-lasting results. During the procedure, a narrow strip of scalp is removed from the donor area and closed using advanced suturing techniques. The harvested tissue is then meticulously prepared under magnification to preserve follicle integrity before implantation.

FUT is commonly chosen for patients with more advanced hair loss or those seeking maximum graft yield while preserving donor density for potential future procedures.

Who Is a Good Candidate for FUT?

FUT may be an ideal option for individuals who:

  • Have moderate to advanced male pattern hair loss

  • Require a larger number of grafts (often 2,000 or more)

  • Have good scalp laxity in the donor area

  • Prefer a cost-effective option for higher graft sessions

  • Wear their hair longer at the back of the scalp

FUT may not be recommended for patients who prefer very short hairstyles or who have limited scalp elasticity. A medical consultation is required to determine candidacy.

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How Does FUT - Follicular Unit Transplantation Work?

A ceiling light fixture with a decorative or patterned cover, emitting a warm glow.
Diagram of hair follicle and hair growth cycle showing phases of anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen with hair strand development.

Strip Harvesting

Strip Slivering

Close-up of a sailboat's hull and sail with a focus on the boat's hull and a small red-colored emblem on it.
Medical tear strip sample test with three precision-calibrated vertical strips in a beige circular tray.

Strip Graft Dissection

Graft Implantation

How the FUT Procedure Works

  1. Comprehensive medical consultation and scalp assessment

  2. Donor strip removal under local anesthesia

  3. Advanced closure of the donor area

  4. Microscopic dissection of follicular units

  5. Precise graft placement into thinning or bald areas

Patient comfort, safety, and natural hairline design are prioritized throughout the procedure.

Recovery Timeline & Healing

  • Days 1–7: Mild swelling and tightness may occur

  • 10–14 days: Sutures removed; donor area continues healing

  • 2–4 weeks: Transplanted hairs shed (a normal phase)

  • 3–4 months: New hair growth begins

  • 9–12 months: Final results become visible

Detailed post-operative instructions are provided to support proper healing.

Medical team performing surgery on a patient under bright surgical lights, with a view of trees outside the window.

Risks & ScarringLike any surgical procedure, Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) comes with certain risks, including potential temporary swelling, numbness, or discomfort. FUT typically results in a linear scar in the donor area, but advanced closure techniques are utilized to minimize its visibility. In many cases, the scar can be easily concealed by surrounding hair.

All potential risks and expectations will be thoroughly discussed during your consultation.

Comparison table of FUE and FUT hair transplant methods, detailing their features, methods, scarring, healing time, ideal candidates, and graft survival rate.

Real Patients. Real Results.

  • Before and after photos showing improved hair density following a hair transplant at Prime Hair Hair Transplant Clinic.
  • Before and after images of a person's hair showing hair transplant results. The "before" photo displays thinning hair, while the "after" photo shows fuller, thicker hair after 1130 grafts.
  • Before and after images of a man's scalp showing improved hair density following a hair transplant at Prime Hair Hair Transplant Clinic.
  • Before and after photos of a man showing hair transplant results, with the top image labeled "Before" and the bottom labeled "After".
  • Comparison of a man's hair before and after a hair transplant procedure at Prime Hair Hair Transplant Clinic, showing increased hair density.
  • A before and after comparison of hair transplant results showing a receding hairline improved with hair grafts at Prime Hair Hair Transplant Clinic.
  • Comparison of before and after hair transplant, showing increased hair density and improved hairline in the after photo.
  • Before and after images showing a man's hair restoration with 2208 grafts at Prime Hair Hair Transplant Clinic.
  • Before and after images of a man's hair transplant showing improved hair density at the hairline with grafts for hair restoration.
  • Before and after images of a man's scalp showing hair restoration with grafts from Prime Hair Hair Transplant Clinic.
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Your Questions Answered

  • The procedure itself has many variables. We like to tell our patients to prepare for a full day. We provide lunch and snacks and, as the day progresses, we can keep you informed as to the estimated end time. A typical surgery last 8-10 hours.

  • On a scale of 1 to 10, the pain you experience on the initial injection should be about a 1. Throughout the day, the doctors will reinforce the anesthetic as needed to make the day as comfortable as possible. There will be more discomfort the night of surgery as the anesthetic eventually wears off. We will, however, send you home with some medication to help with the pain. The morning after surgery, most patients do not require any pain medication however you will notice some tightness and tenderness at the ends of the sutures; this will dissipate within the first week.

  • For the first week of surgery, you will have irritation, scabbing and some swelling. The sutures in the back of the head will be easily concealed by combing your hair down over them. If you are having surgery to add density to the crown and if you have some hair that is long enough, you may be able to conceal the scars even during your first week of healing. If you are creating or adding to a hairline, then it will be noticeable for the first week.

  • You do not necessarily have to shave your head for FUT. Shaving the head does make it easier to see the area for determining donor sites and also for planting the grafts, however, in many cases it is not crucial to the surgery itself to shave.

  • We offer financing options through the Beautifi Financing Platform

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