Follicular unit extraction is the most popular method of hair restoration in the world. Commonly shortened to just “FUE”, it is the chosen procedure of virtually every celebrity who undergoes a hair transplant. When you read about superstars like David Beckham and Matthew McConaughey getting a hair transplant, you can bet your bottom dollar that it was done using FUE techniques. The great allure of FUE is the minimal invasiveness of the procedure. This leads to a shorter and less painful recovery, as well natural-looking hair. Of course, the many benefits of FUE mean it can get pretty expensive. In most Western countries, it is not uncommon for a person to pay in excess of $20,000 for FUE treatment. The good news is that FUE is not your only option. If you’re not in a position to pay for follicular unit transplantation, there are a number of alternative methods for you to consider. Let’s take a look at the most popular of them.
Follicular Unit Transplantation
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) can be considered the precursor to the modern FUE procedure. Until FUE came along, FUT was the single most popular method of hair restoration in the world. Despite experiencing a marked decrease in popularity over the past couple of years, it is still very much in demand. While FUE works by extracting individual hair follicles from the patient’s scalp, FUT removes physical patches of skin. These patches are then broken down into smaller strips for implantation in the patient’s recipient site. While FUT can be quite painful and requires a recovery time of about a month, it is far more affordable than follicular unit extraction. This makes it a popular choice among cash-strapped men suffering from male pattern baldness.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
If you don’t have a month to dedicate to convalescence, FUT obviously isn’t for you. Thankfully, there is a non-surgical method of hair restoration for you to consider. Platelet-rich plasma – or “PRP” – therapy works by extracting blood from the patient and dividing it into three sections, one of which is platelet-rich plasma. This platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the patient’s scalp, stimulating the hair follicles and, when performed over the course of a couple of sessions, encouraging hair growth. It is important to note, however, that there is some debate regarding PRP therapy and its merits. While you’ll have no trouble finding a past patient who swears by PRP therapy, a number of high-ranking medical professionals have voiced their doubts about its effectiveness in combating alopecia. For a fair and in-depth breakdown of PRP therapy and its usefulness, take a look at this article when you’re finished here.
Sapphire FUE
If you are absolutely determined to undergo an FUE hair transplant despite your small budget, you should consider traveling to Turkey. Turkey is known for its low-cost hair transplants, with many clinics in the country offering follicular unit extraction for as little as $5000. Some even offer sapphire FUE, an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional FUE procedure. As its name suggests, sapphire FUE uses sapphire blades to make smaller incisions in the patient’s scalp. This reduces the invasiveness of the procedure even further and guarantees a swift recovery. Of course, FUT and PRP therapy are also available in Turkey, so you should give serious thought to traveling out of the Western world if saving money is your primary concern.