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POSTED: 11 Oct 2024

What You Really Need to Know About Hair Transplants

Hair transplants can offer a long-lasting solution to hair and bald spots. They have become far more common in recent years as costs have come down and clinics have multiplied. That being said, they are still expensive that carry real risks. Crucially, they also do not switch off the genetic or hormonal process behind the hair loss in the first place. As such, a usually sits at the end of the treatment ladder rather than the start. In this article we explore what the procedure involves, the types, the results, the risks, the cost and alternative treatments.

Please note, we are an online skin and hair clinic so we do not offer hair transplants or any surgical . We have written this article because we believe people deserve clear, honest information about all of their options.

What is a Hair Transplant?

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that moves hair follicles from one area to another. The follicles usually come from the back or sides of the scalp. They go into areas that are thinning or bald, such as the crown or hairline. The transplanted hair then grows just like the rest of your hair, which is what gives the natural result. It works because of where the donor hair comes from. The at the back and sides of the scalp are to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that drives pattern hair loss. As such, they keep growing in their new position.

Most people who have a cosmetic transplant are treating or , known medically as androgenetic alopecia. The procedure can also help a receding hairline or generally thinning hair. Less commonly, the same techniques are also useful to restore eyebrows, eyelashes or . Transplants are best for . They are not usually appropriate for things like autoimmune causes of hair loss such as where the immune system will continue to attack any grafted follicles.

What are the Different Types of Hair Transplant?

There are , Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Your surgeon will normally recommend one based on the extent of your hair loss. Of course, where possible, they will also accommodate your preferences.

FUT, sometimes called strip harvesting, removes a thin strip of scalp from the back of the head. The surgeon then it into follicular units of one to four hairs and transplants those into the thinning areas. Because all the follicles come out at once, it tends to be quicker and can move more grafts in a single session. This suits more advanced hair loss. The main drawback is a long linear scar at the donor site. Usually the surrounding hair hides it, although it can show in people who wear their hair very short. Recovery also tends to be a little longer.

FUE instead harvests individual follicles directly from the donor area using tiny punches, typically 0.6mm to 1.0mm across. It leaves no linear scar, which appeals to people who like to keep their hair short. Recovery is usually quicker too, with less discomfort. It is also more precise, as the can select follicles from a wider donor area for a natural finish. The trade-off is time. Extracting each follicle one by one takes longer, and extensive hair loss may need more than one session.

How Does a Hair Transplant Work & What Results Can You Expect?

The procedure is just under local anaesthetic, so you stay awake. It takes place in a sterile environment, with the surgeon usually assisted by a nurse or physician’s associate. After harvesting the follicles, the surgeon implants them into tiny incisions in the areas. Each one follows the natural direction of your existing hair so the result blends in. Over the following months the new follicles settle in and grow like normal hair. Results unfold gradually, and it helps to know the rough timeline before you start:

How good that result is depends on the extent of your hair loss, the number of grafts placed and how many of them survive. This is why realistic expectations matter. Often it will not match the of your youth, but it can still make a real difference to thinning or bald areas.

What Does the Procedure Involve?

A hair transplant is usually a day case and takes anywhere from 2 to 10 hours, so you should not need to stay overnight. It starts with a consultation. Here a qualified surgeon assesses your hair loss, checks your general health and your goals, then decides whether you are a suitable candidate. On the day, the donor and recipient areas are numbed with local anaesthetic. The surgeon then harvests the follicles, either as a strip or one by one, and grafts them into the balding areas.

Recovery is usually quick, but the early days matter. Your surgeon will give you aftercare instructions to follow closely, which generally cover:

Who is a Good Candidate for a Hair Transplant?

Not everyone with hair loss is suitable for a transplant. Results also vary from person to person even among good candidates. In general it works best when your hair loss is stable, meaning the thinning has plateaued. When loss is still actively progressing, a transplant can leave gaps as the surrounding native hair keeps thinning. That often means further procedures or ongoing medication down the OnabotulinumtoxinAAbobotulinumtoxinAIncobotulinumtoxinAPrabotulinumtoxinALetibotulinumtoxinARimabotulinumtoxinBHyaluronic Acid FillersCalcium Hydroxylapatite FillersPoly-L-lactic Acid FillersPolymethylmethacrylate FillersAutologous Fat GraftingForehead Lines TreatmentGlabellar Frown Lines TreatmentCrow's Feet TreatmentBunny Lines TreatmentChemical Brow LiftLip FlipGummy Smile CorrectionMasseter ReductionJaw SlimmingDimpled Chin SmoothingCobblestone Chin SmoothingNefertiti Neck LiftMicro-BotoxMesotoxHyperhidrosis TreatmentChronic Migraine ReliefBruxism TreatmentTMJ TreatmentCervical Dystonia TreatmentNeck Spasm TreatmentBlepharospasm TreatmentLip AugmentationLip ContouringCheekbone EnhancementTear Trough FillersNasolabial Fold SofteningMarionette Line FillersLiquid RhinoplastyNon-Surgical Nose JobJawline ContouringJawline DefinitionChin AugmentationTemple VolumisingHand RejuvenationAcne Scar Subcision Filling. A healthy donor area at the back or sides of the scalp matters too, since this is the source of the resistant follicles. Without enough donor hair, a transplant may simply not be feasible.

Good general health helps, as conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes or autoimmune disease can interfere with healing. Realistic are just as important. A transplant can noticeably improve thinning areas. However, it restores coverage rather than recreating teenage density, and it does nothing to protect the hair you still have.

What are the Risks & Side Effects?

Like any surgery, a hair transplant carries risks, although serious complications are uncommon in experienced hands. The main ones to carefully include are:

How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost?

Cost varies widely for hair transplants. It depends on the technique, the surgeon’s experience, the clinic’s location and the extent of the area needing treatment. In the UK a hair can , with FUE pricier than FUT because it is so time-consuming. As a cosmetic procedure it is not something the the NHS funds unless for reconstructive cases like burns patients. Private health insurance does not usually cover it either, so you pay privately.

What are the Alternatives to a Hair Transplant?

Because a transplant does not stop the underlying genetic process, medical treatment is usually the first step rather than the last. It is often valuable alongside or after surgery also to protect both the new and the existing hairs. In general, getting the medical side right is what makes the difference. A transplant only really becomes worth considering once you are on optimal non-surgical treatment. The main alternatives to hair transplants are topical or oral medications such as:

ingredients like , and are also sometimes added to prescription hair growth formulas to boost the efforts of minoxidil and . Beyond medication there are also a number of professional that can help stimulate hair growth:

There are also a huge number of supplements that are marketed for hair growth. Correcting a genuine deficiency, such as iron or zinc, can support general hair health. However, taking supplements will not reverse pattern baldness.

For the right candidate, a hair transplant can be a genuine and long-lasting answer to pattern hair loss. This is particularly true when medical treatment alone has not been enough. Even so, it works best as part of a plan rather than a quick fix. The moves hair, but it does not halt the genetic process underneath. Ongoing medical treatment is usually what preserves the result over time. If you are considering one, take time to find a CQC-registered clinic and an experienced surgeon. Set realistic expectations and give non-surgical treatment a proper try first.

At City Skin Clinic, we don’t provide hair transplants or any surgical procedures. We do however offer personalised topical and through our online clinic. Our doctors design bespoke formulas using actives like , , , and where appropriate, tailored to suit your individual needs. To get started, book a or complete our . The journey towards great skin and hair starts here.

This article is for general purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any medical concerns or questions you might have.

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SKINCARE 11 March 2024

CULTUREHEALTHSKINCARE 10 July 2023

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