What is a hair transplant

Hair transplant surgery is a cosmetic procedure that involves relocating healthy hair follicles from donor areas, typically the sides or back of the scalp, but sometimes the beard, chest or back, to regions affected by hair loss. These follicles are transplanted in small grafts, each containing one to three hairs.

While scalp hair restoration remains the most common procedure in this field, advancements in the field have expanded its applications to include hair transplants for the beard, eyebrow, and even eyelashes as well. As beauty trends have changed, we're seeing these newer techniques gain more popularity.

Hair loss is a widespread issue, over 80 million men and women experience it although it typically affects men and women differently. Losing 50–100 hairs daily is considered normal, but noticeable thinning, bald patches, and a receding hairline may signal a more significant condition that could benefit from hair transplantation.

For most individuals, hair loss is primarily genetic. Androgenic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness, typically manifests in men as a receding hairline or thinning at the crown, while women often see recession near the temples and a widening part. Additionally, conditions like alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder, can cause patchy hair loss on various parts of the body as well.

If hair loss hasn’t advanced too far and any medical causes can be managed, a hair transplant can effectively restore lost hair and improve ones overall confidence. Particularly at the hairline as seeing a receding hairline or thinning hairline can make us feel as if we look older than our actual age.

How much does a hair transplant cost

A hair transplant procedure in Australia can cost anywhere between $5,000AUD to $25,000AUD or sometimes upwards with a specialist surgeon or in cases where more than an average amount of hair is needed to be transplanted to cover a larger area or, if the patient has very thick hair that the transplant has to mimic in order to yield a natural result.

In the USA, a hair transplant surgery typically costs between $4,000USD and $15,000USD while in Mexico, the price is typically less with most surgeons charging somewhere between $2,000USD and $4,000USD.

Turkey is a very popular destination for this procedure with people flying from all around the world to have this surgery performed there. They are known for being able to provide thick transplants with advanced techniques at affordable costs. It's crucial to do your research when planning on having destination cosmetic surgery and to make sure you select a reputable and trusted surgeon with proven expertise in the surgery you're having done. A hair transplant in Turkey typically costs between $1,800USD and $4,500USD. This is significantly lower than the average cost in the US, Canada, or Europe, where hair transplants can range from $8,000USD to $15,000USD. The cost in Turkey can be as much as 50-70% less than in Western countries. 

The exact cost of the procedure will depend on several factors such as the number of grafts needed to be taken from your donor site, how those hair follicles are extracted (either individually or with a strip which we'll explore below in the next section) the clinic's location and reputation, the surgeon's expertise, and the specific transplant technique used.

Types of hair transplant techniques and procedures and how they're performed

There are two main techniques used to perform a hair transplant procedure, which technique is used will depend on your budget, your goals and the surgeon's preference (usually based on their experience with both techniques.) In almost all cases, local anesthesia with light sedation for patient comfort is sufficient for this procedure unless it's being combined with other procedures as well, in which case general anesthesia may be required.

FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation:) This technique is done by the surgeon carefully making an incision with a scalpel to remove a strip of skin containing healthy hair follicles from the back of the patient's head. It's usually a thin linear strip and the length of which will depend on how much hair is needed for the recipient area. After extracting the strip, the incision is closed, leaving a fine-line scar that is typically hidden beneath the surrounding hair. This method is effective in yielding a high number of viable grafts, which are then carefully transplanted to areas experiencing hair loss to restore natural growth.

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction:) This involves individually extracting each hair follicle from the donor site and transplanting them one by one into the recipient area. This technique can be beneficial for selecting specific hairs to mimic a natural growth pattern as well as for avoiding any potential scars from the donor site. Hairs can be selected for an FUE transplant from the back and sides of the head, beard or even other parts of the body like the chest or legs.

If you’re undergoing an FUE hair transplant, the surgeon will typically shave the donor area before extracting the hair follicles. However, there is an alternative known as “no-shave” FUE, a more detailed and labor-intensive method that enables graft collection without trimming the donor site all. This is popular with female patients or men with longer hair styles that do not want to have to go through the hastle of regrowing their longer hair.

Although FUE minimizes scarring, it does leave tiny dots where the hairs were removed. Fortunately, once the hair grows back, these marks become virtually unnoticeable, even with shorter hairstyles.

In both cases, after the donor grafts are obtained, the surgeon creates tiny holes in thinning or bald areas with a blade or needle. Then they implant the grafts, which are tiny bundles of one to three hairs. 

How the technician prepares the recipient site, how the hairs are transplanted, at what angle and how the hairs are spaced out will determine the aesthetics of the end result.

As well as hair transplants to the scalp, typically at the hairline or crown, transplants to thicken a beard are also becoming more popular among men who may want a more prominently defined beard. In this case, FUE is almost always the preferred method in order to select follicles that will blend in with the surrounding hairs as much as possible.

Eyebrow transplants are also a trending procedure, this involves taking donor hair follicles and transplanting them to the brow area to thicken the brows or create a more defining shape. This procedure can yield dramatic results, remarkably improving one's appearance as proportionately thick and shapely brows are said to be a marker of youth and beauty. However, it's important to note that the recovery for this procedure can be difficult for some as the pinpoint scars where the hairs were transplanted, being on the brows, are difficult to conceal as they're healing. There is also some maintenance involved with this procedure as the hairs transplanted to the brows, if from the scalp will continue to grow and behave as they would if they were still attached to the scalp. This means that they'll need to be trimmed regularly. None the less, if sparse eyebrows or lack of shape and definition are an issue for someone, an eyebrow transplant can be a fantastic procedure when performed by a skilled and trusted surgeon with experience in this area.

How to prepare for a hair transplant procedure

Preparing for an eyebrow transplant requires following specific pre-operative instructions to ensure a smooth procedure and recovery. Avoiding sun exposure, alcohol, and certain medications is essential, while maintaining a healthy diet and staying hydrated supports healing. A consultation with your surgeon will help clarify expectations, review medical history, and address any concerns about medications, allergies, or potential risks.

Leading up to the surgery, limiting sun exposure and using high-SPF sunscreen can prevent skin damage, while quitting smoking improves circulation and healing. Alcohol should be reduced, as it can increase bleeding risk, and blood thinners or certain supplements may need to be discontinued based on your surgeon’s guidance. Proper skincare, including gentle cleansing and avoiding harsh products, helps prepare the area for transplantation.

It’s natural to feel some anxiety before surgery, so practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can be helpful. Understanding post-operative care instructions ahead of time, including restrictions on strenuous activities and avoiding sun exposure and makeup on the treated area, will ensure optimal healing. Having a plan in place for recovery will make the process more manageable and improve overall results. It might also be helpful for your technician to go over what you'll see throughout your healing journey and how to safely conceal any scabs or swelling if you so wish.

What are the risks and possible side effects of having a hair transplant

Hair transplant surgery, while generally considered safe, does carry some risks and possible side effects that it's important to be aware of. These can range from minor inconveniences like swelling and redness to more serious complications like infection or scarring. Numbness or unusual sensations in the scalp while healing can also occur, in very rare cases, permanent nerve damage may occur to the donor or recipient site which can lead to chronic pain. 

Common Side Effects:

Swelling: Swelling is common after any surgery and can persist for a few weeks after the liposuction procedure.

Redness and Itching: Redness and itching in the transplanted and donor areas are also frequently reported. 

Pain: Mild to moderate pain can be experienced, especially during the first few weeks of recovery.

Scabbing: Small scabs may form in the donor area where hair follicles were removed as well as in the recipient sites too. These will fall off on their own throughout the healing process. Your technician will provide instructions on how to encourage the natural healing process.

Temporary Hair Shedding: Some hair loss, known as "shock loss," can occur around the time new hair starts to grow. 

Potential Complications:

Infection: Infections can occur in the surgical area, causing inflammation, pus, and swelling. It's important to look out for any abnormalities throughout the healing process to try and stop any infections in their tracks. Your surgeon may prescribe you with some antibiotics in advance.

Scarring: Scarring is an inevitable part of the healing process, and in some cases, keloid scars can form. Being a cosmetic procedure however, your surgeon will do their best to minimize this as much as possible.

Graft Failure: Some transplanted hair follicles may not grow due to a lack of blood supply, resulting in incomplete hair restoration. A secondary procedure may be needed to get the result you want.

Numbness or Unusual Sensations: Temporary or permanent numbness, tingling, or altered sensation in the scalp can occur throughout the healing process.

Folliculitis: Inflammation of the hair follicles can lead to irritation, itching, and pain. 

Cysts: Fluid-filled cysts can form under the skin in the transplant area. 

As there are different surgical standards around the world, it's important to note that in some countries that are popular for receiving hair transplants, some technicians may transplant hair over existing hair follicles or plant too many hair follicles in the same place. This may appear to yield a good result at first but over time many of those follicles won't survive being so close together and you will notice your transplanted hair start to thin out significantly. It's generally considered that a maximum of 3 hair follicles can be transplanted to the same location and hair follicles should not be planted over existing healthy hair growing in the recipient area.

How long does a hair transplant last?

Hair transplants, when performed correctly, offer a permanent solution to hair loss, with results lasting possibly lasting a lifetime. The transplanted hair follicles, taken from areas of the scalp resistant to hair loss, continue to grow in their new location behaving as they would if they were still located in the donor location. While initial growth may take some time, the final results can be seen within 9-12 months, and the transplanted hair should remain in place permanently. However, it's always a good idea to understand what caused the hair loss in the first place as this can be a determining factor of the longevity of your results. A good technician will first check that there are no active infections in the recipient area causing hair loss as that will likely spread to the donated hair and cause them to fall out too.

Although, even if the cause of hair loss is male or female pattern baldness, as the hairs transplanted are from other areas more resistant to this kind of alopecia, hair may continue to shed in the recipient area but it's likely that it will be the original hairs in the area that will be falling rather than the donated transplanted hair. There are some medications that can be taken to help with this such as minoxidil and finasteride.

How long is recovery from a hair transplant

The initial recovery from a hair transplant surgery, including any visible signs of the procedure like scabbing and swelling, typically takes 7-14 days to subside. However, the entire process of hair growth and the final results of the procedure can take several months, even up to a year or 18 months to be truly evident.

Expected recovery timeline:

Initial Recovery (0-14 days): This period is characterized by scabbing at the donor and recipient sites, swelling, as well as general redness in the transplanted area. You'll need to be careful with showering and avoid strenuous activities as well as follow your technician's instructions on how to treat the area.

10-14 days: Scabbing and swelling should start to subside gradually and the new grafts will be bedded into the recipient area as they start to connect to a bloody supply in the area.

4-6 weeks: The transplanted hair will likely fall out during this stage, this is nothing to be alarmed about and is a normal part of the process. 

3-4 months: New hair growth should begin to appear during this phase and the skin should be more or less back to its original shape and texture.

12-18 months: At this point you can expect to see the final results of the transplant, with hair growing thicker and fuller.