Hair Transplants for Curly vs. Straight Hair
Men and women concerned about thinning hair can benefit from hair loss treatment at our New York, NY clinic. But, with several different options available, how can you know which one is right for you?
Today, our team at True and Dorin discusses hair transplants for curly vs. straight hair and explores how texture can make a difference when it comes to your personalized treatment plan.
Hair Transplantation: An Overview
While there are several options for hair restoration, there are really only two primary solutions for hair transplantation. These include:
- FUT: During this procedure, called follicular unit transplantation, your doctor removes a small strip of scalp tissue that contains one to four hair follicles. Next, the surgical team prepares the strip into hair grafts, which are then transplanted into the thinning areas, providing thicker hair for life.
- FUE: Follicular unit extraction involves removing the hair roots along with the follicles one by one. This minimally invasive procedure can be performed without the need for incisions or stitches.
It is important to note that both of these treatment options offer significant advantages. However, as a general rule, many doctors agree that FUT is more beneficial for curly hair, while FUE is commonly recommended for straight hair. However, as always, the only way to know which treatment is best for you is to have a consultation with a hair restoration specialist.
FUT for Curly Hair
Generally speaking, FUT tends to yield more optimal results for curly hair when compared to FUE. This is primarily due to the fact that harvesting individual follicles on individuals with curly hair is more difficult and time-consuming.
However, success depends on several additional factors as well, including skin laxity and the size of your donor area. Plenty of curly-haired patients have experienced successful, long-term results using FUE. That is why a personalized consultation is so important.
Advantages and Disadvantages of FUT
While FUT can often be completed in just three to four hours, FUE could take the better part of a day. Strip grafts are widely considered the golden standard of hair transplantation, as dramatic results can be achieved with minimal treatments.
Disadvantages of FUT include the need for incisions and sutures. Patients will also have a linear scar, although it can be covered with existing hair.
FUE for Straight Hair
Harvesting follicular units on patients with straight hair is typically much easier compared to individuals with curly hair.
Ethnicity can be a factor as well. For example, performing FUE on Caucasian and Asian patients is much easier because they typically have short, thin follicles surrounded by soft connective tissue. In contrast, it is much more difficult to harvest follicles from an African-American patient, as they tend to have curly hair follicles surrounded by tough, resilient connective tissue.
Advantages and Disadvantages of FUE
The primary advantage of FUE is its minimally invasive nature. This means there is virtually no scarring and minimal pain. However, FUE is a longer surgery, as the follicles must be extracted individually.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you are self-conscious about thinning hair and want to explore your options in hair restoration, our team at True and Dorin is happy to help! Contact us online or call us at (212) 826-2525.
