FUT vs FUE Pricing Differences for Riyadh Patients
Choosing between Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is one of the most critical decisions a patienthair transplnat cost in Riyadh(تكلفة زراعة الشعر في الرياض) will make. While both techniques provide permanent results, their price points differ significantly due to the time, labor, and technology involved.
In the Riyadh market, FUT is generally considered the "value" option, while FUE is the "premium" standard.
1. The Core Pricing Difference
The primary reason for the price gap is the labor-intensive nature of FUE.1 In FUE, the surgeon extracts each follicle individually, which can take twice as long as an FUT procedure for the same number of grafts.
| Feature | FUT (Strip Method) | FUE (Individual Extraction) |
| Riyadh Price Range | SAR 8,000 – 15,000 | SAR 10,000 – 30,000 |
| Average Cost per Graft | SAR 3 – 5 | SAR 5 – 8 |
| Surgical Time | 4 – 6 Hours | 6 – 10 Hours |
| Visible Scarring | Linear scar (back of head) | Tiny, dot-like scars |
2. Comparison by Graft Count (Riyadh Market 2026)
Below is a typical cost breakdown showing how the price scales based on the volume of grafts required for each method in local clinics.
| Graft Requirement | FUT Estimated Cost (SAR) | FUE Estimated Cost (SAR) |
| 1,000 – 1,500 Grafts | SAR 8,000 – 12,000 | SAR 10,000 – 15,000 |
| 1,500 – 2,500 Grafts | SAR 12,000 – 20,000 | SAR 15,000 – 25,000 |
| 2,500 – 4,000 Grafts | SAR 20,000 – 28,000 | SAR 25,000 – 30,000+ |
3. Which Method Offers the Best "Value"?
While FUT is cheaper, "value" depends on your lifestyle and hair loss goals:
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Choose FUT if: You are on a strict budget and plan to keep your hair long enough to cover the linear scar. It is often the most cost-effective way to achieve maximum volume for patients with advanced balding (Norwood 5–7).2
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Choose FUE if: You prefer shorter hairstyles, want a faster recovery (3–5 days vs. 10–14 days), and want to avoid the "tight" feeling in the scalp often associated with the strip method.
4. Financing the "FUE Premium"
Because many patients prefer the scar-free results of FUE but find the SAR 5,000–10,000 price jump difficult, Riyadh clinics have specialized financing:
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Installment Apps: Services like Tabby and Tamara are widely used to split the FUE premium into four interest-free payments.
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Hybrid Packages: Some clinics offer a "Hybrid" approach for large sessions (4,000+ grafts), combining FUT for volume and FUE for a natural hairline, which can balance the total cost.
Conclusion
FUT remains the "gold standard" for volume-to-price efficiency, but FUE dominates the Riyadh market for its discretion and convenience. For most patients in the capital, the 25% premium for FUE is considered a worthwhile investment to avoid a permanent linear scar.