Combining FUE and FUT wins for most Norwood 6 patients. The bridge between frontal and crown loss is gone at this stage, leaving a horseshoe-shaped band of donor hair that must supply 4,000-6,000 grafts. FUT maximizes yield from a single harvest. FUE fills the gaps. Together, they deliver coverage that neither method achieves alone.
Norwood 6: The Coverage Challenge
At Norwood 6, the bald area spans from the frontal hairline through the entire crown. Only the sides and back retain hair. This is one of the most demanding stages for hair transplant surgery because:
- The total area requiring coverage is 100-120 cm2 or more
- Graft demand (4,000-6,000) pushes against donor supply limits
- Full-density restoration across the entire area is not possible
- Strategic allocation decisions determine the final aesthetic outcome
The choice between FUE, FUT, or a combination is not about which method is theoretically better. It is about which approach extracts enough grafts from your specific donor area to achieve your coverage goals.
FUE at Norwood 6
How It Works at This Stage
FUE uses a 0.7-1.0mm punch to extract individual follicular units from the donor area. At Norwood 6, FUE faces a volume problem: extracting 4,000-6,000 grafts via FUE alone typically requires 2-3 sessions because the donor area can only safely yield a limited number of grafts per sitting.
FUE Capacity at Norwood 6
| Factor | FUE Specification |
|---|---|
| Max grafts per session | Up to 5,000 (mega-session) |
| Typical grafts per session | 2,500-3,500 |
| Sessions needed for Norwood 6 | 2-3 |
| Total timeline | 18-36 months (including growth periods) |
| Donor safe extraction limit | 45% of follicular units |
| Total lifetime FUE capacity | 6,000-8,000 grafts |
FUE Advantages at Norwood 6
- No linear scar (important if you keep hair short on the sides)
- Can harvest from beard and body hair if scalp donor is limited
- Flexibility to spread extraction across a wider donor zone
- Each session can be assessed before committing to the next
FUE Limitations at Norwood 6
- May not deliver enough grafts in a single session for comprehensive coverage
- Multiple sessions mean multiple recovery periods
- Extended total treatment timeline (2-3 years from start to final result)
- Higher per-graft cost in some regions
- Donor area may show diffuse thinning if extraction rate is pushed too high
FUT at Norwood 6
How It Works at This Stage
FUT removes a strip of donor skin (typically 1-1.5cm wide, 20-28cm long at Norwood 6) from the back of the scalp. Skilled technicians dissect the strip under stereomicroscopes to isolate individual follicular units. The donor site is closed with sutures or staples, leaving a linear scar.
FUT Capacity at Norwood 6
| Factor | FUT Specification |
|---|---|
| Max grafts per session | Up to 4,000 |
| Typical grafts per session | 3,000-4,000 |
| Sessions needed for Norwood 6 | 1-2 |
| Recovery | 10-14 days |
| Scar type | Linear (concealable with 1cm+ hair length) |
| Graft survival | 90-95% |
FUT Advantages at Norwood 6
- Higher graft yield per session than FUE
- Grafts are dissected under magnification, potentially producing higher-quality units
- No need to shave the donor area
- Typically 20-30% less expensive per graft
- The strip method does not count against FUE donor capacity (you can do FUE from the remaining donor later)
FUT Limitations at Norwood 6
- Leaves a linear scar (cannot wear very short hairstyles on the back and sides)
- Longer recovery (10-14 days vs. 7-10 for FUE)
- More post-operative discomfort
- Scar quality varies (can widen over time in some patients)
- Limited by scalp laxity (tight scalps yield narrower strips with fewer grafts)
Head-to-Head Comparison for Norwood 6
| Criterion | FUE Only | FUT Only | FUE + FUT Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total grafts achievable | 4,000-6,000 (multi-session) | 3,000-4,000 (single) | 5,000-7,000+ |
| Sessions required | 2-3 | 1-2 | 2 (FUT first, FUE second) |
| Total treatment timeline | 18-36 months | 12-24 months | 14-26 months |
| Scarring | Dot scars (minimal) | Linear scar | Both types |
| Recovery per session | 7-10 days | 10-14 days | 10-14 days (FUT), 7-10 days (FUE) |
| Cost (US, total) | $16,000-36,000 | $9,000-20,000 | $14,000-30,000 |
| Cost (Turkey, total) | $4,000-12,000 | $2,400-6,000 | $3,500-10,000 |
| Donor preservation | Moderate | Good (FUE still available) | Best utilization |
| Best for | Patients who refuse linear scar | Patients who need max grafts fast | Most Norwood 6 patients |
The Combined Approach: How It Works
The combined FUE + FUT strategy is the gold standard for Norwood 6 because it maximizes total graft yield from the donor area while keeping each individual method within its safe limits.
Session 1: FUT (Months 0)
Goal: Extract the maximum grafts from a strip harvest and rebuild the frontal zone.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Grafts extracted | 3,000-4,000 via strip |
| Placement priority | Hairline (700-900 grafts at 40-45 FU/cm2) |
| Frontal zone (1,000-1,200 grafts at 30-35 FU/cm2) | |
| Temporal points (400-500 grafts at 25-30 FU/cm2) | |
| Mid-scalp (600-800 grafts at 20-25 FU/cm2) | |
| Recovery | 10-14 days, sutures removed at day 10-14 |
Waiting Period (Months 1-12)
During this period:
- Session 1 grafts grow in and reach 80%+ of final density by month 10-12
- Continue finasteride (1mg daily, 80-90% halt rate) and minoxidil (5% topical)
- Donor area heals completely; the linear scar matures
- Optional PRP ($500-2,000/session) to support growth in both transplanted and native areas
Session 2: FUE (Months 10-14)
Goal: Supplement crown and mid-scalp coverage with additional FUE grafts.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Grafts extracted | 1,500-2,500 via FUE |
| Technique | 0.7-1.0mm punch extraction |
| Placement priority | Crown center (600-900 grafts at 25-30 FU/cm2) |
| Crown periphery (400-700 grafts at 20-25 FU/cm2) | |
| Mid-scalp fill (300-500 grafts at 20 FU/cm2) | |
| Touch-up areas from session 1 (200-400 grafts) | |
| Recovery | 7-10 days |
Total Outcome
- Combined grafts: 4,500-6,500 (exceeds what either method delivers alone)
- Coverage: Frontal zone at near-natural density, crown at moderate density
- Timeline: 24-30 months from session 1 to final session 2 results
- Remaining donor capacity: FUE reserve of 3,500-5,500 grafts for future touch-ups
Cost Comparison by Region
FUE Only (5,000 Grafts, 2 Sessions)
| Region | Per Graft | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $1-2 | $5,000-10,000 |
| India | $0.50-1.50 | $2,500-7,500 |
| Europe | $2.50-4.50 | $12,500-22,500 |
| UK | $3-5 | $15,000-25,000 |
| USA | $4-6 | $20,000-30,000 |
FUT + FUE Combined (5,500 Grafts)
| Region | FUT Session | FUE Session | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $2,400-6,000 | $1,500-4,000 | $3,900-10,000 |
| India | $1,200-4,500 | $750-3,000 | $1,950-7,500 |
| Europe | $7,500-13,500 | $3,750-9,000 | $11,250-22,500 |
| UK | $9,000-15,000 | $4,500-10,000 | $13,500-25,000 |
| USA | $12,000-18,000 | $6,000-12,000 | $18,000-30,000 |
Donor Budgeting: The Long View
At Norwood 6, you are using a significant portion of your lifetime donor supply. Plan for the possibility of future touch-ups.
| Donor Budget Item | FUE Only | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Total lifetime FUE capacity | 6,000-8,000 | 6,000-8,000 |
| Grafts used (sessions 1-2) | 4,000-6,000 FUE | 3,000-4,000 FUT + 1,500-2,500 FUE |
| Remaining FUE reserve | 0-4,000 | 3,500-5,500 |
| Future flexibility | Limited | Substantial |
The combined approach preserves significantly more FUE donor capacity for the future. This is its most compelling advantage for younger patients who may need touch-ups in their 50s and 60s.
Making Your Decision
Choose FUE Only If:
- You wear your hair very short on the sides and cannot conceal a linear scar
- You have excellent donor density (90+ FU/cm2) and can sustain multi-session extraction
- You are comfortable with a 2-3 year treatment timeline
- You prefer the newest technique regardless of efficiency considerations
Choose FUT Only If:
- You need maximum grafts from a single session and time is critical
- Cost is a primary concern (FUT is typically 20-30% cheaper per graft)
- You always wear your hair at 1cm+ length on the sides
- Your scalp laxity is good (flexible donor skin)
Choose Combined FUE + FUT If:
- You want maximum total graft yield (the answer for most Norwood 6 patients)
- You want to preserve FUE donor reserve for future procedures
- You are willing to have a linear scar concealed by normal hair length
- Your surgeon recommends the combined approach based on your donor evaluation
Get Your Personalized Plan
Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to confirm your Norwood stage and receive an initial graft estimate. Use the graft calculator by zone to break down your needs by hairline, temples, mid-scalp, and crown. For the full stage-by-stage reference, see the Norwood scale stages.