Hair transplant: what to expect, how it works, and if it’s right for you

You don’t grow new hair with a transplant — you move your own hair from a donor zone to thinning areas. That’s why transplanted hair often lasts for years: it comes from follicles less sensitive to the hormones that cause male-pattern and female-pattern baldness. But results depend on technique, surgeon skill, and aftercare.

Types of transplants and how they differ

There are two common methods. FUT (strip) removes a thin strip of scalp and harvests grafts. It can leave a linear scar but may give many grafts in one session. FUE (follicular unit extraction) takes individual hair follicles with tiny punches. Scarring is dot-like and easier to hide. FUE is more popular now because recovery is faster and scarring is less visible, though it can cost more per graft.

Who’s a good candidate and what to ask

Good candidates have stable hair loss, healthy donor hair (usually the back and sides of the scalp), and realistic expectations. If you have diffuse thinning with poor donor supply, a transplant might not deliver the look you want.

Ask these when you consult a clinic: How many transplants have you done? Can I see before-and-after photos from real patients? What technique do you recommend and why? How many grafts will I need? What is the total cost, including follow-ups? What are the risks and how do you handle complications?

Cost varies widely. Expect anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands depending on graft count, clinic location, and surgeon reputation. Cheap clinics can be tempting — but lower cost often means fewer grafts, inexperienced staff, or lower-quality follow-up care.

Recovery is usually quick. You’ll have scabs and mild swelling for a week or two. Tiny scabs fall off in about 7–14 days. Transplanted hairs often fall out in the first month — that’s normal. New growth usually begins around 3–4 months and becomes clearly visible by 6–12 months. Full density can take up to 12–18 months.

Risks include infection, poor graft survival, visible scarring, numbness, and uneven density. Pick a clinic with clear aftercare instructions and a follow-up plan. Proper post-op care — sleeping position, avoiding heavy exercise, and gentle washing — makes a big difference.

If you’re not ready for surgery, try medical options first. Finasteride and minoxidil are proven to slow loss and sometimes regrow hair. There are also non-surgical options like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and low-level laser therapy that some people find helpful. Want a comparison? Check our article on natural DHT blockers and how they stack up against finasteride for more context.

Final quick checklist: confirm donor quality, verify the surgeon’s experience, understand the timeline and total cost, and follow aftercare precisely. A hair transplant can look natural when done right — but it’s a medical procedure, so treat it like one.