FUT Hair Transplant in Tucson, Arizona
FUT is available to patients in Tucson and across Arizona. Virtual consultations are offered for patients in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the broader Phoenix metro who are evaluating FUT surgery with Dr. Keene before traveling to the Tucson clinic.
American Board of Surgery certification
Arizona State Medical Board
Fellow of the American Board of Hair Restoration
American Board of Hair Restoration
Follicular Unit Transplantation Hair Transplant on Tucson, AZ
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is the primary hair transplant technique of Dr. Sharon Keene, MD; a female ABHRS Diplomate, American Board of Surgery Diplomate, and ISHRS Past President practicing in Tucson, AZ. She has specialized in FUT surgery for over 20 years. She performs one surgical case per day, ensuring that every FUT procedure at PHI receives her complete, undivided surgical attention.
What is Follicular Unit Transplantation Hair Transplant (FUT)?
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a surgical hair restoration technique in which a narrow strip of donor tissue is removed from the back of the scalp, dissected under high-powered stereoscopic microscopes into individual follicular units, and then transplanted into the thinning or absent recipient area. The donor strip is closed with sutures or staples, leaving a linear scar that is concealed by the surrounding hair at normal wearing lengths.
FUT consistently produces the highest graft yield of any hair transplant technique currently available. For patients with significant hair loss requiring large sessions, FUT allows the surgeon to harvest more grafts in a single procedure than FUE typically permits. This makes FUT the technique of choice for patients who need broad coverage across the crown and frontal scalp, or who want to maximize their results in a single surgical session.
At Physician’s Hair Institute, every FUT procedure is performed by Dr. Keene from the first incision through final graft placement. She and her team dissect donor grafts under microscopes to preserve every follicle. The recipient sites are created by Dr. Keene personally, with direction and density planned to look natural now and to remain natural as the patient ages.
Dr. Keene's FUT Specialty
FUT is not one of several techniques Dr. Keene performs interchangeably. It is the technique she has specialized in for over 20 years and the approach she recommends most often for patients requiring large graft counts or wanting to maximize coverage in a single session.
Dr. Keene’s credentials are specifically relevant to FUT:
- ABHRS board certification requires demonstrated expertise in surgical hair restoration, including the strip technique. It is not a general surgical credential.
- ISHRS Past President: The ISHRS is the global professional society that sets surgical standards for the field, including FUT. Dr. Keene’s presidency is a peer-elected recognition from within the surgical hair restoration community.
- American Board of Surgery: Dr. Keene’s dual certification includes ABS board certification, which reflects the surgical training underlying her approach to FUT as a precision incision procedure, not merely a cosmetic technique.
- One surgery per day: FUT is a procedure that takes 6-8 hours to perform at the quality level PHI maintains. Performing one case per day is not a scheduling preference. It is a commitment to the quality of outcome for every patient.
For a full overview of Dr. Keene’s training, board certifications, and professional recognition, see the Credentials page.
Who Is a Good Candidate for FUT?
FUT is typically the strongest choice for patients who:
- Need a high total graft count in a single session (FUT consistently yields more grafts per procedure than FUE)
- Have significant hair loss across the crown and frontal scalp requiring broad coverage
- Wear their hair at a length that will conceal the donor scar and do not require the option of shaving the back of their head
- Have a stable, defined pattern of hair loss with a sufficient and healthy donor zone
- Have previously had FUE procedures and want to maximize additional grafts from the remaining donor area using a different harvest zone
- Are looking to complete their hair restoration in the fewest possible surgical sessions
FUE or a combination approach may be more appropriate for patients who:
- Need a smaller total graft count and prefer no linear scar
- Want to maintain the option of wearing their hair extremely short at the back
- Have had prior FUT surgery and want additional grafts from a zone where strip harvest is not feasible
Dr. Keene evaluates every patient individually before recommending FUT, FUE, or a combination. Patients who come in expecting FUT will be told honestly if a different approach would serve their long-term result better. Dr. Keene performs all three approaches and has no preference between them beyond what is optimal for the patient’s specific anatomy and goals.
What are the most common causes for hair loss?
- Androgenetic alopecia (Male/female pattern hair loss): This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women. It is caused by genetics and hormones. In men, it typically presents as a receding hairline and hair loss at the crown of the head. In women, it usually causes thinning hair all over the scalp.
- Telogen effluvium: This is a temporary hair loss condition that is caused by a disruption in the hair growth cycle. It can be triggered by stress, illness, childbirth, surgery, or a sudden change in weight. Telogen effluvium usually results in a general thinning of hair all over the scalp.
- Alopecia areata: This is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the hair follicles. It can cause hair to fall out in round or oval patches, anywhere on the body, including the scalp, beard, eyebrows, and eyelashes.
- Traction alopecia: This type of hair loss is caused by pulling or tension on the hair. It can be caused by hairstyles that pull on the hair, such as tight braids, cornrows, or ponytails. Traction alopecia can also be caused by wearing hair extensions or weaves.
FUT Procedure
The internal sutures dissolve, and the external sutures are removed 7 to 10 days after surgery. When elasticity allows, Dr. Keene performs a trichophytic closure, overlapping the incision edges to allow hair to grow through the incisional scar enhancing its camouflage. The advantage of the linear ellipse technique is the high regrowth rate when optimal graft handling and preserving techniques are observed.
FUT Hair Transplant Recovery: What to Expect
Most FUT patients return to desk work within 5-7 days. The donor area has sutures that are removed at approximately 10-14 days post-procedure. Some tightness in the donor area is expected for the first week.
Transplanted hair sheds at approximately 2-6 weeks post-procedure. This is called shock loss and is a normal and expected part of the healing process. New growth begins at 3-4 months. Full results are typically visible at 12-18 months.
Dr. Keene provides detailed post-operative instructions and is available to patients throughout recovery. Out-of-area patients from Scottsdale and Phoenix can manage most of the follow-up process remotely with photo check-ins. An in-person follow-up visit is available for patients who are able to return to the Tucson clinic.
How Much is the FUT Procedure?
Physician’s Hair Institute performs FUT for patients from across Arizona, including Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, and the broader Phoenix metro. The drive from Scottsdale to our Tucson clinic is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Virtual consultations are available for out-of-area patients to evaluate their candidacy and meet with Dr. Keene before committing to travel.
FUT is a technique where Dr. Keene’s credential advantage over the Phoenix metro market is particularly clear. Her ISHRS Past Presidency and ABHRS board certification are both specifically relevant to FUT surgical expertise. For Scottsdale-area patients evaluating surgeons for a large FUT session, this credential combination is uncommon in the Arizona market.
FUT for Tucson, Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Arizona Patients
Physician’s Hair Institute performs FUT for patients from across Arizona, including Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, and the broader Phoenix metro. The drive from Scottsdale to our Tucson clinic is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Virtual consultations are available for out-of-area patients to evaluate their candidacy and meet with Dr. Keene before committing to travel.
FUT is a technique where Dr. Keene’s credential advantage over the Phoenix metro market is particularly clear. Her ISHRS Past Presidency and ABHRS board certification are both specifically relevant to FUT surgical expertise. For Scottsdale-area patients evaluating surgeons for a large FUT session, this credential combination is uncommon in the Arizona market.
FUT Hair Transplant FAQs
How long does the FUT procedure take?
The FUT procedure typically lasts between 4 to 8 hours, depending on the number of grafts being transplanted.
Is the FUT result permanent?
Yes, the results of the FUT hair transplant are generally permanent as the transplanted hair is resistant to the hormones that cause hair loss.
Does FUT leave a scar?
Yes. FUT produces a linear scar at the back of the scalp from the donor strip incision. When properly performed and closed, the scar heals as a fine, pale line that is concealed by surrounding hair at normal wearing lengths. Most patients are never aware of the scar in daily life. For patients who want to wear their hair very short at the back, Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) can significantly reduce the scar’s visibility. PHI offers SMP specifically for FUT scar concealment at our Tucson clinic.
How long does the FUT recovery take?
Recovery varies by individual, but most people can return to normal activities within a week. Full healing and hair growth can take several months to a year.
What is the difference between FUT and FUE?
FUT involves removing a strip of scalp from the back or sides of the head and harvesting the follicular units and transplanting them to the recipient area. This leaves a linear scar in the donor area, but can be easily hidden by the surrounding hair.
On the other hand, FUE involves extracting individual hair follicles directly from the scalp. This technique offers minimal scarring compared to FUT, but it still leaves ‘dot-like’ scars. However, FUE requires the head to be shaved short so those who like to wear their hair long may not prefer this option.
Is FUT better than FUE?
FUT produces more grafts per session and is the stronger choice for patients needing high graft counts or broad coverage. FUE is more appropriate for patients who want no linear scar or who need a smaller total graft count. Neither technique is universally better. The right approach depends on each patient’s specific anatomy, hair loss stage, coverage goals, and hairstyle preferences. Dr. Keene recommends based on what will produce the best long-term result for that patient’s situation, not based on which technique the clinic prefers to perform.
Do I need to shave my head for FUT hair transplant?
No. FUT does not require shaving the entire head. The donor strip area at the back of the scalp is typically trimmed short for the procedure, but the hair above it covers this area during and after recovery. For most patients, the procedure is not visible to others during the recovery period because the existing hair covers the surgical site. This is one of the practical advantages of FUT over some FUE approaches that require a broader shave of the donor area.
Are there any side effects associated with FUT hair transplants?
Common side effects include scarring, temporary swelling, bruising, pain, itching, and numbness. We advise patients to follow their surgeon’s post-operative care instructions closely and report any persistent or unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.
Is FUT a minimally invasive hair transplant procedure?
FUT is considered more invasive than FUE due to the strip extraction method, which involves a surgical incision and results in a linear scar. The recovery involves healing of this incision site, which can take more time and care compared to the puncture wounds from FUE.
However, FUT allows surgeons to harvest a much larger number of hair grafts than FUE. It’s often the option for patients who have extensive hair loss and require a large number of grafts.
Can women have FUT hair transplant?
Yes. FUT can be appropriate for women with a defined, stable pattern of hair loss and sufficient donor density. Women with diffuse unpatterned hair loss that affects the donor zone as well as the recipient area may not be surgical candidates, as transplanted hair from an unstable donor zone will also shed over time. Dr. Keene evaluates female candidates using criteria specific to women’s hair loss physiology. As a female surgeon with over 20 years of experience treating women’s hair loss, she takes a thorough approach to female candidacy assessment.