Before and after a FUT hair transplant

Before-and-after images should show both the transplanted region and the linear donor scar. Early crusts, redness, swelling, and shedding do not represent the mature result, while hair length, styling, lighting, and angle can make comparisons misleading.

During follicular unit transplantation, a surgeon removes a narrow strip of hair-bearing scalp, closes the donor site, separates the strip into follicular units, and places those grafts into planned recipient sites. The closure leaves a linear scar that may be concealed by surrounding hair but can widen or remain visible.

Transplanted shafts can shed while follicles remain beneath the skin. Later growth may emerge unevenly, and density is limited by the available donor supply, graft survival, hair calibre, curl, colour contrast, and continuing loss of non-transplanted hair.

Before surgery, discuss the diagnosis causing hair loss, donor density, likely scar position, hairstyle preferences, and the possibility of future thinning. Give the surgical team a complete medicine and health history and follow its specific instructions about hair washing, medicines, smoking, transport, and meals.

Protect grafts from rubbing or picking, sleep as directed to limit swelling, and use only the cleansing method and products provided by the clinic. Attend scheduled checks so the donor closure, recipient sites, and evolving hair-loss pattern can be examined.

Seek urgent advice from the surgical team for bleeding that does not stop with the pressure they recommended, rapidly increasing swelling, worsening pain, spreading redness, pus, fever, or an opening donor wound. Darkening skin, blisters, or a foul smell around either site also warrants immediate assessment.

Emergency care is appropriate for breathing difficulty, chest pain, collapse, new weakness, or severe swelling that affects the eyes or airway. Do not wait for a routine follow-up when these symptoms occur.

Ask who will remove the strip, prepare the grafts, create recipient sites, and place follicles. Request an explanation of the proposed hairline, donor closure, scar care, expected shedding, follow-up plan, and how future hair loss could alter the appearance.