Hair transplants can potentially offer a more permanent solution to thinning hair and bald spots. Although they have been around for some time, hair transplants have started to become more popular in recent years. This is probably due to their cost going down and wider availability. There’s also been better marketing to cover up a long standing terrible reputation. Despite this, it is super important to understand how they work and the different types of hair transplants are available. In this article, we’ll explore what hair transplant treatment involves, what results to expect, risks and alternatives.
What Is a Hair Transplant?
This is a surgical procedure that involves removing hair follicles from one part of the body (usually the back or sides of the scalp) and transplanting them into areas with thinning or no hair such as the crown or hairline. This process allows for natural-looking hair regrowth as the transplanted hair grows just like the rest of your natural hair. Hair transplants were initially developed to treat hair loss in people with burns and there is a long history of its use for this.
In the last few decades it has also become popular for treating other causes of hair loss. The most common type of patients that get cosmetic hair transplants are those experiencing male or female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). However, it is also useful in people with receding hairlines or thinning hair. Less commonly, hair transplants also have uses in helping restore eyebrows, beard hair or even eyelashes.
Types of Hair Transplants
There are two main types of hair transplant procedures; Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Normally you surgeon will recommend the best one for you based on the extent of your hair loss and where possible your preferences. The main types of hair transplants are:
- Follicular Unit Transplantation: Also known as strip harvesting, FUT involves removing a thin strip of scalp from the back of the head. After this there is careful dissection of the strip into individual follicular units (groups of one to four hairs). These are then transplanted into the thinning or balding areas. Advantages: FUT allows for the transplantation of a larger number of grafts in a single session, making it ideal for patients with significant hair loss. Also, the procedure tends to be faster than FUE since removal of all the follicles occurs at once. Disadvantages: FUT leaves a long linear scar at the donor site. Although you can usually conceal this by the surrounding hair it may be noticeable in people with short or thin hair. Recovery time may also be longer than FUE due to the invasive nature of the strip removal.
- Follicular Unit Extraction: FUE involves harvesting individual hair follicles directly from the donor area using tiny punches (typically 0.6mm to 1.0mm in diameter). These follicles are then transplanted into the recipient area. Advantages: FUE does not leave a linear scar. This makes it a more appealing option for individuals who prefer to wear short hair. Recovery time is also usually faster, and there’s less postoperative discomfort compared to FUT. It’s also a more precise method as it allows the surgeon to select follicles from a broader donor area. This results in more natural-looking results. Disadvantages: FUE tends to be more time-consuming than FUT, as you need to extract each follicle individually. It may also require multiple sessions to achieve the desired results espcially for patients with extensive hair loss.
How Does a Hair Transplant Work & What Kind of Results Can You Expect?
A hair transplant procedure works by relocating hair follicles from a donor area to areas experiencing hair loss or thinning. It is usually done under local anaesthetic (so you’re awake) and in a sterile operating environment by a surgeon who will usually also have a nurse or physician’s assistant helping them. The surgeon either extracts a strip of scalp or individually harvests hair follicles. These harvested follicles are then meticulously implanted into tiny incisions in the balding areas following the natural growth pattern of the existing hair. This ensures a seamless and natural appearance. Over time, the transplanted follicles grow like normal hair.
After a hair transplant, patients can expect gradual, natural-looking results that unfold over time. Initially, the transplanted hair may fall out within the first few weeks – a normal part of the recovery process known as “shock loss.” This phase can be unsettling, but it is temporary. New hair typically begins to grow around the three to four-month mark, with noticeable improvements visible by the six-month point. Full results are generally achieved between 12 to 18 months after the procedure. If it works, the transplanted hair should grow like natural hair, blending seamlessly with the rest of the scalp. Patients can expect increased hair density in previously thinning or bald areas, providing a restored hairline or fuller crown. However, the final appearance depends on factors like the extent of hair loss and the number of grafts transplanted and how many survive. It’s really important to maintain realistic expectations.
The Procedure
This is a surgical procedure that can take between 2-10 hours and is generally a day case procedure. In general, the hair transplant process typically involves the following steps:
- Consultation: The first step is a consultation with a qualified surgeon. During this stage, the doctor will assess your hair loss pattern, evaluate your overall health, and discuss your goals and expectations. They will also determine whether you’re a suitable candidate for a hair transplant.
- Anaesthesia: On the day of the procedure, local anaesthesia is applied to the donor and recipient areas of the scalp to numb the skin. This ensures that the patient remains comfortable and experiences minimal pain throughout the procedure.
- Extraction: The surgeon will extract healthy hair follicles from the donor area. Depending on the type of transplant, this may involve removing a strip of scalp or individually harvesting hair follicles.
- Grafting: The extracted hair follicles are carefully placed into tiny incisions made in the recipient area of the scalp.
- Recovery: Post-surgery, the patient is usually able to return home the same day. The scalp may feel tender for a few days, and small scabs might form around each transplanted follicle, but these typically heal within a week.
After a hair transplant, most patients experience mild discomfort, redness and swelling in the treated areas. You will need to be very careful with your hair for at least the first 2 weeks and may even need time off work. Your doctor will provide post-operative care instructions which you should follow to the letter. These may include:
- Avoiding vigorous physical activity for a few days.
- Keeping your scalp clean and following a prescribed washing routine.
- Taking prescribed medications, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, to prevent infection and reduce swelling.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Hair Transplant?
Not everyone experiencing hair loss is a suitable candidate for a hair transplant. Even in people who are suitable, there are many factors that affect success and results vary from person to person. Whilst there isn’t a perfect candidate, in general hair transplants are more likely to work in people with the following characteristics:
- Stable Hair Loss: Candidates should have stable hair loss, meaning their hair thinning or baldness has plateaued. Transplants performed on individuals with progressive hair loss may require additional procedures in the future to maintain balance between transplanted and natural hair.
- Good Donor Area: The availability of healthy hair in the donor area (usually at the back or sides of the scalp) is critical. If the donor area lacks sufficient hair, the transplant may not be feasible.
- Overall Health: Candidates should be in good general health. Pre-existing medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune disorders could interfere with healing or the success of the procedure.
- Realistic Expectations: Although hair transplants can provide impressive results, it’s essential to have realistic expectations about the outcome. The density of the transplanted hair may not match that of your original hairline, but it will significantly improve the appearance of thinning areas.
Risks & Side Effects
Like any surgical procedure, hair transplants come with a number of potential risks and side effects. Although complications are rare when performed by an experienced surgeon, there are still some possible risks. These include:
- Infection: There’s a slight risk of infection at the incision or graft sites. Following proper aftercare instructions minimises this risk.
- Scarring: FUT leaves a linear scar at the donor site, and some patients may experience keloid scarring (raised, thick scars).
- Shock Loss: Temporary hair loss (shock loss) can occur in both the donor and recipient areas, but the hair usually regrows within a few months.
- Unnatural Hairline: In rare cases, improper graft placement can result in an unnatural-looking hairline. Choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon greatly reduces this risk.
- Does Not Work: It is possible, the grafts do not take and the hair transplant fails or the result is very modest.
How Much Do Hair Transplants Cost?
The cost of a hair transplant varies significantly and depends on the type of procedure, the surgeon’s expertise, location of the clinic and the extent of hair loss needing treatment. For example, in the UK, the cost typically ranges from £3,000 to £10,000. FUE generally being more expensive than FUT due to its time-consuming nature. Additionally, since hair transplants are considered cosmetic procedures, they are not usually covered by health insurance.
Alternatives to Hair Transplants
Although hair transplants can be a highly effective solution, they are usually not a first line option. This is due to their risks, downtime and costs. There are a variety of both medical and non-surgical treatments that can help stop or slow down hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth. Here are some of the best alternatives to hair transplants:
- Medications: There are a number of oral and topical treatments that can help address hair loss. Minoxidil is available as a topical over-the-counter treatment in strengths up to 5% and by prescription in oral or higher strength topical forms. It stimulates hair follicles and encourages regrowth in thinning areas. Finasteride, Sprinolactone and Dutasteride are available as oral or topical prescription treatments. these are usually second line treatments which block hormones that cause pattern baldness.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: This non-surgical treatment involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and injecting the enriched plasma into the scalp. PRP stimulates hair follicles and may improve both natural hair growth and the outcomes of hair transplants.
- Microneedling: This is a minimally invasive treatment that involves tiny needles creating micro-wounds on the scalp. Through this microneedling stimulates the body’s natural healing process and can promote hair growth by boosting blood flow to hair follicles.
- Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Also known as red light therapy, LLLT devices deliver light energy to the scalp. This stimulates hair follicles and encourages regrowth. It’s non-invasive and can be performed at home using handheld devices or at clinics as a complementary treatment to other therapies.
- Hair Supplements: Products containing biotin, zinc, and other essential vitamins and minerals are often recommended to support hair health and regrowth. While supplements alone won’t cure hair loss, they can be beneficial in improving hair strength and reducing shedding.
Hair transplants can offer a long-lasting solution for those struggling with hair loss particularly where more conservative treatments have failed. The key to achieving optimal results lies in selecting a qualified and experienced surgeon who can assess whether you are a suitable candidate, tailor the procedure to your individual needs and minimise risks. It’s worth taking the time to understand how hair transplants work and the different types available to empower you to make an informed decision. It’s also very important to set realistic expectations and explore alternatives before proceeding.
We know that hair loss is an intensely personal journey. This is why we created personalised hair loss and regrowth treatments through our online skin clinic. Our doctors create custom hair loss treatments using actives such as Minoxidil, Spironolactone and Tretinoin for each and every patient. We also treat skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma and signs of skin ageing with bespoke skincare treatments. Start your virtual consultation and begin your journey to great hair today.
