FUT is the best value per graft, FUE offers the most versatile recovery, and DHI provides the most precise implantation angle control. Each method has a distinct role depending on your hair loss stage, budget, and scarring tolerance. This triple comparison breaks down every measurable difference so you can choose with confidence.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | FUT (Strip) | FUE (Extraction) | DHI (Choi Pen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extraction method | Strip of scalp removed | Individual follicles punched | Individual follicles punched |
| Implantation method | Slits then placement | Slits then placement | Direct implant via Choi pen |
| Maximum grafts/session | Up to 4,000 | Up to 5,000 | Up to 3,500 |
| Graft survival rate | 90-95% | 90-95% | 90-95% |
| Scarring | Linear scar | Small dot scars | Small dot scars |
| Recovery time | 10-14 days | 7-10 days | 7-10 days |
| Donor shaving required | No | Yes (usually) | Partial or none |
| Cost per graft (US) | $3-5 | $4-6 | $5-8 |
| Cost per graft (Turkey) | $0.80-1.50 | $1-2 | $1.50-3 |
| Session length | 4-8 hours | 6-10 hours | 6-10 hours |
How FUT Works
Follicular Unit Transplantation removes a strip of skin from the back and sides of the scalp, typically measuring 1 to 1.5 cm wide and 15 to 25 cm long. Technicians then dissect this strip under stereoscopic microscopes, separating individual follicular units containing 1 to 4 hairs each.
FUT Advantages
The strip method allows surgeons to harvest a large number of grafts in a single session without shaving your head. Because follicular units are dissected under magnification, the transection rate (damage to follicles during extraction) is lower than with FUE in many studies. FUT also costs 20-30% less per graft than FUE, making it the most budget-friendly option for high-graft sessions.
For patients at Norwood 5-7, FUT remains a top choice when maximum graft yield matters more than avoiding a linear scar.
FUT Limitations
The linear scar is the primary trade-off. While a skilled surgeon can close the wound to produce a thin scar that sits hidden under surrounding hair, patients who prefer very short hairstyles (buzz cuts, fades) will find this scar visible. Recovery takes 10-14 days, and sutures or staples need removal around day 10.
How FUE Works
Follicular Unit Extraction uses a micro-punch tool (0.7 to 1.0 mm diameter) to remove individual follicular units directly from the donor area. Each graft is extracted one at a time, leaving tiny circular wounds that heal into nearly invisible dot scars.
FUE Advantages
FUE produces no linear scar, so patients can wear short hairstyles without visible evidence of surgery. Recovery is faster at 7-10 days. Modern variations like Sapphire FUE (using synthetic sapphire blades for recipient sites) and robotic FUE (ARTAS system) have improved consistency and reduced procedure time.
FUE also allows surgeons to harvest grafts from the beard, chest, or other body areas when scalp donor supply is limited. This is not possible with FUT.
FUE Limitations
FUE requires shaving the donor area in most cases, which can be a concern for patients who want to keep their procedure private. The per-graft cost is higher than FUT. For very large sessions (4,000+ grafts), some surgeons split FUE across two days, adding to the time commitment.
For a deeper breakdown of these two methods, see our FUE vs FUT detailed comparison.
How DHI Works
Direct Hair Implantation uses the same extraction technique as FUE (micro-punch harvesting), but the implantation step is different. Instead of creating recipient slits first and then placing grafts, the surgeon uses a Choi Implanter Pen to simultaneously create the channel and insert the graft in one motion.
DHI Advantages
The Choi pen gives the surgeon precise control over implantation depth, direction, and angle for each individual graft. This can produce a more natural-looking hairline, especially in the frontal zone where hair direction changes subtly across the forehead. DHI also reduces the time grafts spend outside the body, as they are loaded directly into the pen and implanted without a separate channel-creation step.
DHI typically does not require full donor shaving. Surgeons can perform "unshaven DHI" by extracting grafts from between existing hairs, making the procedure less obvious during recovery.
DHI Limitations
The maximum graft count per session is lower than both FUT and FUE, capping around 3,500 grafts. This makes DHI less suitable for extensive hair loss at Norwood 5-7. The procedure is also the most expensive of the three methods because each graft requires individual loading into the Choi pen, adding time and requiring more technicians.
Cost Comparison by Graft Count
| Graft Count | FUT (US) | FUE (US) | DHI (US) | FUT (Turkey) | FUE (Turkey) | DHI (Turkey) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $3,000-5,000 | $4,000-6,000 | $5,000-8,000 | $800-1,500 | $1,000-2,000 | $1,500-3,000 |
| 2,000 | $6,000-10,000 | $8,000-12,000 | $10,000-16,000 | $1,600-3,000 | $2,000-4,000 | $3,000-6,000 |
| 3,000 | $9,000-15,000 | $12,000-18,000 | $15,000-24,000 | $2,400-4,500 | $2,500-4,500 | $4,500-9,000 |
| 4,000 | $12,000-20,000 | $16,000-24,000 | N/A (over limit) | $3,200-6,000 | $2,500-4,500 | N/A |
| 5,000 | N/A (over limit) | $20,000-30,000 | N/A | N/A | $2,500-4,500 | N/A |
Recovery Timeline Compared
Week 1
FUT patients experience the most discomfort in the first week due to the sutured donor incision. Sleeping face-down or on the back of the head is uncomfortable, and most surgeons prescribe pain medication for 3-5 days. FUE and DHI patients report mild soreness and tightness in the donor area, with most switching to over-the-counter pain relief by day 3.
All three methods produce swelling in the forehead area around days 3-5, which resolves naturally within a few days.
Weeks 2-4
FUT sutures or staples are removed around day 10. By day 14, most FUT patients feel comfortable returning to all normal activities. FUE and DHI patients typically return to desk work by day 7-10.
Shock loss begins during weeks 2-4 for all three methods. The transplanted hairs fall out as the follicles enter a resting phase. This is a normal part of the process, not a sign of graft failure.
Months 3-18
New growth starts appearing around month 3-4 regardless of which method was used. By month 6, roughly 50-60% of transplanted hairs are growing. Full results are visible at 12-18 months. The growth timeline is identical across FUT, FUE, and DHI because the biology of follicular regrowth does not change based on extraction or implantation method.
Who Should Choose Each Method
Choose FUT If You:
- Need 3,000 to 4,000 grafts in a single session
- Are at Norwood 5-7 and need maximum coverage
- Want the lowest cost per graft
- Are comfortable wearing hair long enough to cover a linear scar
- Plan to combine FUT with FUE for a mega-session over 5,000 grafts
Choose FUE If You:
- Prefer wearing short hairstyles or buzz cuts
- Need up to 5,000 grafts and can tolerate a longer session
- May need body hair transplantation from beard or chest
- Want faster recovery with less post-operative pain
- Are at Norwood 2-5 with moderate hair loss
Choose DHI If You:
- Prioritize the most natural-looking hairline design
- Need precise angle control in the frontal hairline zone
- Want to avoid shaving your head (unshaven DHI)
- Need fewer than 3,500 grafts
- Are willing to pay a premium for implantation precision
Can You Combine Methods?
Yes, and experienced surgeons do this regularly. The most common combination is FUT plus FUE in a single session. The surgeon takes the strip first (FUT), closes the wound, then uses FUE to extract additional grafts from around the closure site and other donor areas. This hybrid approach can yield 5,000 to 7,000+ grafts in a single day.
Some clinics also combine FUE extraction with DHI implantation, using the Choi pen for the hairline zone (where angle precision matters most) and traditional slit-and-place for the crown and mid-scalp.
How to Decide: Use Data, Not Marketing
The best method depends on your specific variables: Norwood stage, donor density, budget, scarring tolerance, and desired hairstyle. Marketing claims from clinics often favor whichever method generates the highest revenue. Focus on the numbers in the comparison tables above rather than brand names.
Upload a photo of your current hair loss pattern at myhairline.ai/analyze to get a personalized assessment of your Norwood stage, estimated graft count, and which transplant method fits your situation best.
FAQ
Which hair transplant method has the highest graft survival rate?
FUT and FUE both achieve 90-95% graft survival when performed by an experienced surgeon. DHI reports similar survival rates in published studies, though the maximum graft count per session is lower at around 3,500 compared to 4,000 for FUT and 5,000 for FUE.
Can you combine FUT with FUE or DHI in the same session?
Yes. Combining FUT with FUE in a single session allows surgeons to harvest up to 6,000 or more grafts. The strip is taken first, then FUE extractions fill in around the donor closure. This hybrid approach suits Norwood 6-7 patients who need maximum coverage.
Which method is cheapest per graft?
FUT is the least expensive at $3-5 per graft in the US. FUE costs $4-6 per graft, and DHI is the most expensive at $5-8 per graft in the US due to the specialized Choi pen implantation process.