Hair Restoration

Hair Restoration Boston | FUT & FUE Transplants | MassDerm Institute

Hair Transplant Overview

MassDerm Hair Transplant Institute serving Boston specializes in natural, customized hair restoration using FUT and FUE techniques. Led by Dr. Vladimir Ratushny — a Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist — our treatments help men and women regain confidence through proven, minimally invasive solutions.

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Dr. Ratushny’s surgical expertise involves performing both of the following modern techniques in hair restoration surgery. Dr. Ratushny tailors the hair transplantation technique to your hair loss goals.

Why Choose MassDerm Hair Transplant Institute

  • Harvard-Trained Expertise: Dr. Vladimir Ratushny is a board-certified dermatologist with advanced surgical training in hair restoration.
  • Dual Techniques Offered: We provide both FUT (strip) and FUE (individual follicle) methods based on your goals and hair type.
  • Natural Results: Every follicle is placed with precision to match angle, density, and direction for realistic outcomes.
  • Discreet Recovery: Many patients return to normal activity within days, with no hospital stay required.
  • Trusted in Boston: Proudly serving the North Shore, MetroWest, and Greater Boston with exceptional outcomes and patient care.

Hair Loss Conditions We Treat

At MassDerm Hair Transplant Institute, we diagnose and treat a wide range of medical and cosmetic hair loss concerns in both men and women, including:

  • Male Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia)
  • Female Pattern Hair Loss
  • Hair Thinning from Aging or Genetics
  • Traction Alopecia
  • Scarring Alopecia (Cicatricial Alopecia)
  • Eyebrow and Beard Hair Loss
  • Previous Hair Transplant Revision
icon FUT

Follicular Unit Transplantation

(FUT/strip excision)

Follicular unit transplantation (also known as a strip excision) is the gold standard type of hair transplantation procedure that moves the greatest number of hairs from the donor site on the back of the head to the recipient sites on the front and top of the scalp. Under local anesthesia, Dr. Ratushny removes a strip of hairs from permanent donor area on the back of the head and then stitches up the edges together in a way that minimizes the linear scar in the area, allowing it to be easily covered by the remaining hairs. Dr. Ratushny’s team of trained technicians then divide the strip into individual follicular units made up from anywhere between 1 to 4 hairs. Dr. Ratushny then creates hundreds of recipient sites in between existing hairs where the donor hairs will be transplanted. Dr. Ratushny and his team use specialized instruments to gently insert each follicular unit into its recipient site, with careful consideration to the angle, orientation, and curl given to each hair that is placed. The body’s clotting factors act as a glue to hold the transplanted hairs in place. Patients who choose this type of hair transplantation will have a donor linear scar on the back of the scalp after the procedure. While this scar is typically very narrow and well concealed by overlying hair, it may be visible if you have a hair style in which you closely shave the back of the head.

Transcript of Dr. Ratushny: Hi, I’m doctor Ratushny, and I treat patients at MassDerm Hair Transplant Institute in Beverly, Massachusetts.

I’m going to talk about follicular unit transplantation (FUT), which is one of the hair transplant techniques I offer. Follicular unit transplantation (also called strip excision) is really the gold standard of hair transplantation. It’s a technique that moves the greatest amount of hairs from the donor area in the back of the scalp to the recipient area at the hairline and the top of the scalp. Under local anesthesia, I remove a strip of hair from the donor area back here (back of scalp). I then stitch up the area in a way that minimizes a donor scar and allows it to easily be camouflaged with a patient’s overlying hair. Then, my surgical assistants use stereomicroscopes to dissect the donor strip of hairs into individual follicular units.  Then, under local anesthesia, I create hundreds of recipient sites at the hairline and the top of the scalp. I and my surgical technicians gently placed each individual follicular unit using specialized forceps into the recipient areas. And we pay careful attention to the angle, the orientation and the curl of the hairs. The body’s natural clotting factor serves as the glue that keeps the hairs in place. Patients who choose this type of hair transplantation will have a donor scar on the posterior scalp. Typically, this donor scar is very narrow and very well concealed by the overlying hair making it very difficult to find. However, if one chooses to shave the back of their head or have a very closely cropped hair, that donor scar may be visible.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

Follicular Unit Extraction

(FUE/excision method)

Follicular unit extraction (also known as follicular unit excision/FUE) is a type of hair transplantation procedure during which Dr. Ratushny removes individual follicular units (made up of 1 to 4 hairs) from the donor sites in the back of the head. Dr. Ratushny uses the best-in-class WAW FUE System to perform his FUE surgery. Under local anesthesia, Dr. Ratushny creates hundreds of recipient sites (where the hairs will be transplanted to) among the patient’s existing hairs in the frontal hairline and/or the top of the head. Dr. Ratushny and his team use specialized forceps to gently insert each follicular unit into recipient site, with careful consideration to the angle, orientation, and curl given to each hair that is placed. The body’s clotting factors act as a glue to hold the grafts in place. Patients who prefer to wear their hair shaved or cropped very short may prefer to have the FUE procedure to avoid the appearance of a strip scar. Instead of a strip scar, FUE patients may have small inconspicuous white dots where the hair was harvested on the back of the scalp. Dr. Ratushny tries to maximize the cosmetic results on both the front and back of the scalp and is careful in selecting each hair follicle from the donor area in a way that the surrounding hairs can maximally camouflage.

Transcript of Dr. Ratushny: Hi, I’m doctor Ratushny, and I treat patients at MassDerm Hair Transplant Institute in Beverly, Massachusetts.

I’ll talk about the FUE procedure, which is one of the hair transplantation procedures which I offer my patients. FUE stands for follicular unit excision or follicular unit extraction. It’s a procedure in which I remove individual follicular units from the donor area in the back of the scalp, all under local anesthesia. I use the best in class handheld FUE device to do my surgery. Also under local anesthesia, I create hundreds of recipient sites in the recipient area in the frontal hairline or the top of the scalp. Then I and my highly trained team of surgical technicians gently insert each individual follicular unit into the recipient areas and the hairline on top of the scalp. In doing the hair placement, we really pay careful attention to the orientation, the curl, and the angle of each individual follicular unit.

The body’s own clotting factors serves as a glue to keep the hair in place, and there are no stitches throughout this procedure. Patients, who choose to wear their hair shaved or cropped very short, may opt for the FUE procedure over the strip excision procedure to avoid the appearance of a strip scar. Instead of a strip scar. Patients may have very inconspicuous white dots in a donor area. I work very hard to optimize cosmetic results, not only in a recipient area (in the front of the scalp) but also in a donor area (in the back of the scalp). In doing so, I’m very careful in selecting each individual follicular unit in a way that the remaining hairs can camouflage that donor area well.

FUE vs FUT

Choosing the type of hair transplant procedure right for you.

Dr. Ratushny offers both follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT/strip excision). During a free consultation with Dr. Ratushny, he will review with you what procedure is the right one for you. However, here are some of the benefits of each procedure:

The strip excision procedure is preferable for most women undergoing hair restoration surgery given that it doesn’t require the back of the head to be shaved in order to harvest the donor hairs.

Patients who typically liked to wear their hair cropped short or shaved may prefer the FUE procedure since it minimizes the appearance of a linear donor scar.

Men who generally wear their hair longer and who prefer not to shave the back of the head for the procedure, may prefer the strip excision. The strip scar is usually easily hidden among the patient’s remaining hair.

Patients who have undergone a prior hair transplant have the option of doing either a strip excision or an FUE, as both types of transplant can be complementary in achieving your hair restoration goals. Dr. Ratushny may decide to surgically remove the prior strip scar during a repeat procedure so that the patient will end up with 1 strip scar instead of 2 if they are undergoing a repeat procedure.

Having trouble choosing whether a strip excision (FUT) or FUE hair transplant is right for you?  Read more about the choice between these two types of hair transplants in Dr. Ratushny’s blog.

What to Expect During Your Hair Restoration Journey

From initial consultation to full recovery, Dr. Ratushny guides every step with precision and care. Most patients resume normal activity within days and see full results within 9–12 months.

Your experience with MassDerm Hair Transplant Institute is designed to be smooth, personalized, and results-driven. Here’s what the process typically looks like:

  • 1. Consultation: You’ll meet with Dr. Ratushny to discuss your goals, review your hair loss pattern, and determine if FUT or FUE is best for you.
  • 2. Customized Plan: Based on your preferences and medical history, Dr. Ratushny creates a surgical plan tailored to your scalp and hair characteristics.
  • 3. Procedure Day: Your surgery is performed with precision, comfort, and care — either with the FUT (strip) or FUE method, depending on what fits your needs.
  • 4. Recovery: Most patients return to non-strenuous activities within 1–2 days. Full recovery instructions and follow-up are provided.
  • 5. Results: You’ll begin seeing natural hair growth within a few months, with full results usually visible after 9–12 months.

Want to learn more or speak with Dr. Ratushny? Click here to request a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I'm a good candidate for a hair transplant?

Most healthy adults experiencing hair thinning or pattern baldness are candidates. During your consultation, Dr. Ratushny will assess your hair loss pattern, donor hair quality, and overall health to determine eligibility.

What's the difference between FUT and FUE?

FUT involves removing a strip of scalp from the donor area, while FUE extracts individual hair follicles. FUT may yield more grafts, while FUE leaves less visible scarring — Dr. Ratushny offers both and will help you choose the best option.

What does recovery look like after a hair transplant?

Most patients return to work within 1–2 days. Mild swelling or redness may occur initially, and full hair growth typically begins within 3–4 months, with final results visible around 9–12 months.

How much does hair restoration cost?

Costs vary based on procedure type and graft count. Dr. Ratushny provides transparent pricing during your consultation and can tailor options to your needs and budget.

Glossary of Hair Transplant Terms

FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation):
A method where a strip of scalp is removed from the donor area to harvest follicular units. Often results in a linear scar.
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction):
Technique that individually extracts hair follicles, leaving tiny dot scars rather than a single linear one.
Donor Area:
The part of the scalp (usually the back) where hair follicles are harvested for transplantation.
Recipient Area:
The area experiencing hair loss where the harvested follicles are implanted.
Graft:
A unit of hair, typically containing 1 to 4 hair follicles, that is transplanted during the procedure.
Shock Loss:
Temporary hair shedding post-transplant due to surgical trauma. Regrowth typically resumes within months.
Scarring Alopecia:
A type of permanent hair loss caused by inflammation and damage to hair follicles, often treated surgically.