What a hair transplant is
In androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss in men, the follicles at the back and sides of the head resist the hormonal effect that causes hair loss. A transplant uses this property: follicles are harvested from the donor area and placed in the thinning areas.
Harvesting can be done by extracting individual follicular units (FUE) or by removing a strip of scalp from which grafts are separated (FUT). The right technique depends on the donor area and the number of grafts needed.
Who it is for
- men with stabilised androgenetic alopecia and a dense donor area;
- women with some forms of localised hair loss, after a dermatology assessment;
- people with hairless areas after scars, burns or surgery.
In young patients whose hair loss has not stabilised, the native hair around the transplanted area may continue to fall out. That is why a transplant is often combined with medication recommended by a dermatologist.
How the procedure is done
The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and can take several hours, depending on the number of grafts. You go home the same day.
Recovery
- First days: small crusts on the recipient area; possible swelling of the forehead, which settles within a few days.
- 10–14 days: the crusts fall off; you can return to normal activities even earlier.
- 2–3 months: the transplanted hairs fall out temporarily, which is normal.
- 6–12 months: hair grows from the transplanted follicles; the final result shows after about a year.
Risks and things to know
- lower density than expected, sometimes needing a second session;
- scars in the donor area (a line with FUT, small dots with FUE);
- folliculitis or infection, which are rare;
- temporary numbness of the scalp.
Results vary from one patient to another.
