What is a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a procedure where a plastic surgeon or dermatologist transplants hair to bald areas of the head. Surgeons usually transplant hair from the back or sides of the head to the front or top of the head.

Most hair loss is caused by baldness. This is due to genetics. The rest is caused by a variety of factors, including:

▸Diet

▸Stress

▸Illness

▸Hormonal imbalances

▸Medications and chemotherapy

Hairline transplants

A hairline transplant is the term doctors use to describe a hair transplant to restore a receding hairline. If you have a receding hairline, the hair on the top of your forehead and temples will begin to disappear. This causes your hairline to move back or recede. A receding hairline is characteristic of male pattern baldness and is the most common cause of hair loss in people assigned male at birth (AMAB).

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Are hair transplants permanent?

Hair transplants are designed to stay in place forever. Once your doctor gives the OK, you can treat the transplanted hair like any other hair—wash, comb, and brush it as you like. However, some hair transplants may not survive and a few hairs may fall out.

Who may benefit from a hair transplant?

A hair transplant can improve your appearance and confidence. Good candidates for a hair transplant include:

▸ Men with pattern baldness

▸ Women with thinning hair

▸ Anyone who has lost some of their hair due to burns or scalp injuries

A hair transplant is not suitable for the following people:

▸ Women with extensive scalp hair loss

▸ People who do not have enough "donor" hair sites to remove hair for transplantation

▸ People who have developed keloids (thick, fibrous scars) after injury or surgery

▸People who have lost their hair due to medications such as chemotherapy

What happens during a hair transplant?

After thoroughly cleaning your scalp, the surgeon will use a small needle to anesthetically localize an area of ​​your head.

There are two main techniques used to obtain hair follicles for transplantation: FUT and FUE.

In a Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT):

The surgeon will use a scalpel to cut a strip of scalp from the back of your head. The incision is usually several inches long and then closed with stitches. Next, the surgeon uses a magnifying glass and a sharp scalpel to divide the removed scalp into small sections. Once implanted, these sections will help achieve natural hair growth.

In a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), hair follicles are cut directly from the back of your head through hundreds to thousands of tiny punctures.

The surgeon uses a blade or needle to make small holes in the area of ​​your scalp that will receive the transplant. They gently place the hair into these holes.

During a single treatment, the surgeon may transplant hundreds or even thousands of hairs. Afterwards, the graft, gauze, or bandage will cover your scalp for a few days. A hair transplant procedure can take 4 hours or longer. Your sutures will be removed about 10 days after surgery. You may need up to three or four treatments to get the full head of hair you want. Several months are allowed between treatments to allow each transplant to fully heal.

What to expect after a hair transplant?

Your scalp may be sore, and you may need to take medications after hair transplant surgery, such as:

▸ Pain relievers

▸ Antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection

▸ Anti-inflammatory drugs to suppress swelling

Most people can return to work a few days after surgery.

Transplanted hair usually falls out 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. This makes way for new hair to grow. Most people see some new hair growth 8 to 12 months after surgery.

What are the complications of hair transplants?

Side effects of hair transplants are usually minor and go away within a few weeks.

Side effects include:

▸ Bleeding

▸ Infection

▸ Swelling of the scalp

▸ Bruising around the eyes

▸ Hair loss on the scalp or scabbing at the transplant site

▸ Numbness or loss of feeling in the treated area of ​​the scalp

▸ Itching

▸ Inflammation or infection of the hair follicles, called folliculitis

▸ Shock alopecia, which is the sudden but usually temporary loss of transplanted hair

▸ Unnatural-looking hair tufts

Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Transplants

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Does Hair Transplants Hurt?

The good news is, they don’t—hair transplants are not painful. During the procedure, the area of ​​your scalp that the surgeon will focus on will be numbed with a local anesthetic, so while you may feel a little pressure or movement during the procedure, it shouldn’t hurt. But as with most post-operative recovery, you may experience some discomfort or pain at the incision site as your body begins to heal and recover. Your medical team may discuss the best ways to manage pain and other ways to minimize the risk of negative side effects or reactions.

Is a hair transplant worth it?

Hair transplants are a good option for those who can afford the high cost of surgery and have not seen success from treatments like minoxidil or Rogaine. Hair transplants are relatively low risk compared to other surgeries, but they are not without risk. There is also a chance that your hair regrowth will be minimal.

However, if you are interested in this procedure and the potential rewards outweigh the costs and risks, consider talking to your doctor about whether this is a good option.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing hair loss or thinning hair, there are a number of treatment options available. But no treatment is guaranteed to work, and costs can add up quickly, especially since hair loss treatments are rarely covered by insurance.

However, if you have already discussed treatments with your doctor or have found that other common hair regrowth treatments are not working for you, consider a hair transplant. If you are a good candidate for a transplant and your medical team thinks you are likely to see positive results, it may be a procedure worth considering.