FUT Hair Transplant

FUT Hair Transplants in Glasgow

Follicular Unit Transplant — FUT — is one of the two main surgical hair restoration techniques performed at our Glasgow clinic. It is a well-established procedure in which a strip of donor tissue is removed from the back of the scalp, the follicles are prepared under magnification, and each graft is individually placed into the recipient area.

While FUE is now the more widely performed technique at our clinic, FUT is the primary choice for patients who do not want to shave their donor area. This makes it particularly well suited to women and transgender patients. FUT is also used where a high graft count is needed in a single session, as strip harvesting can yield a greater volume of follicles in one procedure.

What is a Follicular Unit Transplant?

A follicular unit is a naturally occurring group of one to four hair follicles that share a common structure beneath the skin. FUT harvests these units by removing a carefully measured strip of donor tissue from the permanent zone at the back and sides of the scalp — an area that is genetically resistant to the hormone DHT, which is responsible for pattern hair loss.

The strip is then divided by a team of technicians into individual follicular units under high-magnification microscopes. Each unit is trimmed and prepared before being placed into tiny recipient sites created by the surgeon in the thinning or bald area.

How Does FUT Surgery Work?

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and typically takes six to ten hours depending on the number of grafts. A typical session outline:

• Donor strip removal: A narrow strip of scalp is taken from the back of the head. The wound is closed with fine sutures, leaving a linear scar that sits within the natural hairline and is covered by surrounding hair.
• Graft preparation: The strip is dissected under microscopes into individual follicular units — a process that preserves the integrity of each graft.
• Recipient site creation: The surgeon creates small incisions in the recipient area, determining the angle, depth and density of the final result.
• Graft placement: Each follicular unit is placed individually into the prepared sites. The arrangement is designed to replicate natural growth patterns and is tailored to your specific hair loss history and donor characteristics.

The number of grafts placed in a session is agreed during your consultation, based on the coverage you want to achieve and the available donor supply. Where more than one session is needed, this will be planned in advance.

Before and After FUT Hair Transplant Results in Glasgow

A selection of results from patients treated at our Glasgow clinic. All procedures were performed by our GMC-registered surgeons.

FUT vs FUE: Which Method Is Right for You?

Both techniques transplant the same follicular units — the difference is in how those units are harvested from the donor area.

FUE extracts follicles individually using a small punch tool, leaving no linear scar and allowing a faster recovery. FUT removes a strip and closes with sutures, leaving a fine linear scar that is hidden beneath the hair. FUT can harvest more grafts per session and is sometimes preferred where donor density is lower or a very large session is required.

• Scarring: FUE leaves small circular dot scars across the donor area; FUT leaves a single linear scar. With short haircuts, FUE scars are less detectable; with longer hair, neither is typically visible.
• Graft yield: FUT can produce a higher graft count per session, making it an option for patients with advanced hair loss.
• Recovery: FUE allows a faster return to normal activity; FUT requires suture removal around ten to fourteen days post-procedure.
• Suitability: FUE suits most patients and gives the surgeon the freedom to select the best individual grafts from across the entire donor area. FUT is primarily chosen by patients who prefer not to shave their donor area, including many women and transgender patients, and by those requiring a high graft yield in a single session.

Your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate technique at your free consultation, taking into account your hair loss pattern, donor characteristics and long-term treatment plan. For patients considering a no-channel implantation approach, see our DHI hair transplant page.

Who Is FUT Best Suited For?

FUT is most commonly chosen in these situations:

• Patients who prefer not to shave the donor area: Because FUT removes a strip of tissue rather than requiring the scalp to be shaved, the surrounding hair conceals the donor site throughout. This is the primary reason many women and transgender patients choose FUT over FUE.
• High graft requirements in one session: Strip harvesting can yield a greater number of grafts per session, which suits patients who need significant coverage in a single procedure.
• Previous FUT patients: Patients who have already had a FUT procedure may continue with the same technique to keep the scar profile consistent.

It is worth noting that FUT does come with a key trade-off. With strip harvesting, the surgeon works with the grafts available within that strip. With FUE, the surgeon can select individual follicles from across the whole donor area, choosing the strongest and most suitable grafts for the recipient site. For most patients at our Glasgow clinic, FUE remains the preferred technique, though the right choice is always confirmed at your free consultation.

FUT Recovery Timeline

Recovery from FUT is slightly longer than FUE due to the sutured donor wound, but the grafted area heals in a similar way.

Days 1–3
Redness and mild swelling around the recipient and donor areas. The sutured donor strip should be kept dry and protected.

Days 10–14
Sutures are removed. The linear donor wound continues to flatten and fade over the following weeks.

Weeks 2–4: Shock loss
The transplanted hairs shed — this is expected and does not indicate failure. The follicles remain active beneath the skin.

Months 2–4
New growth begins to emerge as follicles exit their resting phase.

Months 4–8
Regrowth accelerates. Hair thickens and texture normalises.

Months 12–18: Final result
Full results are visible. The transplanted hair is permanent and behaves identically to your natural hair — it can be washed, cut and styled as normal. FUT results typically take slightly longer to fully mature than FUE due to the nature of strip harvesting.

FUT Hair Transplant Cost in Glasgow

The cost of a FUT hair transplant at our Glasgow clinic depends on the number of grafts required. FUT is sometimes a more cost-effective option per graft for larger sessions, but the total cost will vary based on the complexity of your case and the coverage you want to achieve.

Your patient advisor will provide a full personalised quote following your free consultation. For a general guide to pricing, visit our hair transplant cost page.