Follicular Unit Transplantation
FUT Hair Transplant Fresno
FUT — the traditional 'strip' technique — still has a narrow place in modern hair restoration. Here's how it compares to FUE, and how we decide which is right for you.
Your hair restoration physician
Dr. Oscar F. Hernandez Sandoval, MD
Every consultation, hairline design, extraction, and graft placement at Inside Out Medical Center is performed personally by Dr. Hernandez — never delegated to a technician. His training in FUE and DHI hair restoration shapes a careful, evidence-based approach to long-term results.
- Board-certified physician
- FUE & DHI hair restoration training
- Only Central Valley provider offering DHI
- Independent Fresno practice owner
- English & Spanish
What FUT is — and when it still makes sense.
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), sometimes called FUSS or 'the strip method,' removes a thin strip of donor scalp from the back of the head. Individual follicular units are then dissected from that strip and transplanted into the recipient area.
FUT predates FUE and was the standard for decades. It can yield very high graft counts in a single session and has historically delivered strong results in experienced hands. The trade-off is a linear scar across the donor area — usually concealed by surrounding hair, but visible at very short cuts.
At Inside Out we perform FUE for the vast majority of cases. We discuss FUT honestly when it's clinically the better fit — for example, very large single-session needs or specific donor characteristics — and we never push it as the default.
Why patients choose Inside Out.
01
High graft yield
FUT can produce a large number of grafts in a single session.
02
Predictable in skilled hands
Long, well-documented track record for the right patient.
03
Lower per-graft cost
Often priced below FUE for very large sessions.
04
Honest physician guidance
We only recommend FUT when it genuinely beats FUE for your situation.
Candidacy
Is this the right treatment for you?
A consultation is the only way to know for sure — but here's how we generally evaluate candidacy.
Often a good candidate
- Patients who wear hair longer and don't mind a concealed linear scar
- Very large single-session graft needs
- Donor characteristics that favor strip
May not be ideal
- Patients who wear hair very short or shave the back of the head
- Anyone who would be self-conscious about a linear scar
- Patients with poor wound healing or keloid history
How it works
A clear, supported process.
Step 1
Consultation
We evaluate donor density, pattern of loss, and lifestyle to decide whether FUE or FUT serves you better.
Step 2
Procedure day
Strip excision under local anesthesia, microscopic graft dissection, and careful placement in a custom-designed hairline.
Step 3
Recovery & growth
Sutures or staples removed at 10–14 days. Initial shedding, then growth on the same 3–12 month timeline as FUE.
Treatment comparison
How this option compares.
| FUT (strip) | FUE | |
|---|---|---|
| Scar | Linear scar, hair-concealed | Tiny dots, often invisible |
| Downtime | 10–14 days | 3–7 days |
| Short haircut? | Limited | Friendly |
| Best for | Very large sessions, select donor types | Most modern patients |
We default to FUE and only recommend FUT when it's the better clinical choice.
The Inside Out difference
Why patients across Central California choose us.
Physician-led decision
Dr. Hernandez evaluates you personally before recommending FUT or FUE.
No technique-pushing
We don't profit by selling you the larger procedure.
Local follow-up
Suture removal and recovery checks happen in Fresno.
FAQs
Common questions.
Don't see your question? Call us at 559-940-6990 or book a consultation — every patient gets honest, direct answers.
Why don't most clinics push FUT anymore?+
FUE has matched or exceeded FUT outcomes for most patients while eliminating the linear scar and reducing downtime. FUT remains a useful tool for select cases.
Is the FUT scar always visible?+
In most patients the scar is concealed by surrounding hair at standard lengths. Very short cuts may reveal it.
Can I have FUE later if I do FUT first?+
Often yes — donor planning matters. We discuss long-term donor management before recommending either approach.
How long is FUT recovery?+
Sutures or staples come out at 10–14 days. Most patients return to desk work within a week with care taken at the donor area.
Take the first step toward your results.
Book a consultation with Dr. Hernandez. A $200 consultation deposit secures your appointment and is fully credited toward your treatment if you move forward.