Hair Transplant Frequently Asked Questions

The loss of one’s hair is intensely personal. Approximately forty million Americans currently suffer from some degree of hair loss in the United States. Almost half of this astounding number are women. Statistics indicate that Historically mankind has tried to find ways to stop the loss of hair and reverse the hair loss process. Unfortunately, many of them failed dismally or simply were not effective enough to produce satisfactory results. Hair transplant surgery is the first procedure developed that has been able to actually achieve, permanent, cosmetically appealing results for the millions of men and women suffering from hair loss today.

The procedure is not without its risks and even in its best form, it is not perfect. Unfortunately, the cost can be prohibitive for some patients and medical insurance does not cover it; making it increasingly difficult for men and women who could truly benefit from it to obtain the benefits possible through hair transplant surgery. The decision to undergo hair transplant surgery, try a cheaper alternative method that does not provide permanent results, or do nothing at all is extremely personal and only one that each individual can answer for themselves. Hair transplant surgery is not for everyone. For those, however who are suitable candidates for the procedure and who have taken the time to become familiar with the risks and realistic expectations, it can truly be a miracle.

Frequently Asked Question

A quick index guide

Question: Does hair transplant surgery actually work?

Answer: Yes, hair transplant surgery does work and can be quite effective. Persons who are considering this as an option for treating baldness or hair thinning, however; should realize that maximum results vary from one individual to another. In most cases, the surgeon will not be able to achieve as full a look as the patient had when they were in their teens and early twenties, however; hair transplant surgery can significantly decrease a balding or thinning look.

Question: Where does the hair for the surgery come from?

Answer: The donor hair for hair transplant surgery comes from the patients own scalp. It is not taken from outside sources. It is completely natural, not synthetic, which enables the hair transplant process to be successful.

Question: Can anyone with hair loss have hair transplant surgery?

Answer: Individuals who have experienced temporary hair loss are not ideal candidates for hair transplant surgery because the lost hair will return. Persons who have undergone significant hair loss or balding may not be considered as candidates for hair loss because there is not enough additional donor hair to perform the transplant. In addition, persons considering hair transplant surgery should be in good health and not have any medical conditions that might cause excess bleeding during the surgery.

Question: Can women have hair transplant surgery?

Answer: When hair transplant surgery procedures were first developed and introduced, they were not ideal for women experiencing hair loss because the grafts were simply too large. Today, however; procedures have been developed to harvest much smaller hair grafts, making it possible for the procedures to be applied to women who have undergone permanent hair loss.

Question: Is hair transplant surgery safe?

Answer: Hair transplant surgery has been performed since the late 1950’s in the United States and before that was first experimented with in Japan during the 1930’s and Germany as early as 1822. Hair transplant surgery is as safe as any other surgical procedure. While patients should be aware that there are some risks associated with hair transplant surgery, these are usually very mild and mostly involve some initial swelling. Only in very rare cases, does excess bleeding or infection occur.

Question: How much does hair transplant surgery cost?

Answer: The total cost of hair transplant surgery usually depends on the number of grafts that must be used in the procedure; therefore prices can vary. On average, hair transplant surgery ranges from about $3,500 to $10,000.

Question: Will my health insurance cover my hair transplant surgery?

Answer: In almost all cases, the answer is unfortunately, no. Hair transplant surgery is considered to be an elective procedure and most insurance companies do not cover it as such. You may be able to qualify for financing with a number of cosmetic surgery financing groups. Check the Resources section for more information.

Question: Is hair transplant surgery painful?

Answer: Hair transplant surgeons use a local anesthetic during the procedure to alleviate any discomfort the patient may feel. For a few days following the hair transplant surgery, the patient may notice some slight discomfort. If that is the case, the doctor will usually prescribe a mild oral painkiller.

Question: Will there be any scars?

Answer: It is possible for there to be some scars in the donor and recipient areas following the hair transplant surgery, however such scarring is generally not noticeable at all because the new hair growth will cover it.

Question: How long does a hair transplant surgery last?

Answer: The length of the surgery actually depends on the number of grafts that will be used, however on average a typical hair transplant surgery lasts at least 3 hours.

Question: How long does it take to recover from hair transplant surgery?

Answer: Generally, it only takes a few days to recuperate from any swelling and mild pain that may be associated with the surgical procedure.

Question: When I am recovering from hair transplant surgery, is it okay to shampoo my hair?

Answer: It is perfectly fine to shampoo your hair, even the transplanted areas, during the recovery phase. Most physicians recommend that patients do shampoo their hair to aid in the recovery process and prevent infection.

Question: How soon can I expect my hair to start growing after the hair transplant surgery?

Answer: Hair, regardless of whether it is donor or transplant, grows at a rate of about ½ inch per month. Therefore, it may take several months for hair to begin showing any noticeable signs of growth.

Question: Are the results of a hair transplant surgery permanent or will I need more sessions?

Answer: The hair that grows in the transplant are is permanent growth and there should not be any further problems provided there is no damage to the hair. That said, some individuals do prefer to return for more sessions in order to try to achieve a fuller look than was possible with the first session.

Question: If I do want to have more hair transplant procedures, how long do I need to wait?

Answer: Most physicians recommend that you wait anywhere between four months to one year from the date of your last hair transplant procedure before you attempt another. This is due to the fact that the scalp and transplanted hair follicles need to be allowed time to fully recover before attempting another procedure. Additionally, only time will tell how successful the first procedure was.

Question: I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about doctors who didn’t do a good job. I’m concerned about having a hair transplant surgery performed by a doctor I don’t know well. How do I know if the doctor will do a good job?

Answer: The success rate of a hair transplant surgery depends most on the health, structure and viability of the patient’s hair. However, if a patient is not familiar with their surgeon and would like more information to feel comfortable with that physician performing their procedure they can take a couple of actions: 1. Ask to see the surgeon’s before and after photograph portfolio. The after results will not guarantee that the patient will be able to achieve the exact same results, however; it should reassure the patient of the surgeon’s skill. 2. It’s always a good idea to check and make sure the surgeon is certified. See the Resources section for information on how to go about this.