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Health Library

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Hair Transplant Surgery

Surgery Overview

Hair transplant surgery involves moving scalp hair and hair follicles from an area with a lot of hair to an area with thinning hair or baldness. This technique can produce a natural look on the forehead, and a natural, dense look on the top of the head.

The follicles and hair are removed from one part of the head with either a tube-like instrument called a punch graft or with a scalpel. The hair strands are then transplanted into tiny holes or slits in bald areas of the scalp.

In most cases, you will need several surgeries to achieve the coverage you want.

What To Expect

Often, hair may fall out after it is transplanted, but new hair will regrow in the transplanted hair follicle. But it may take a period of time before you can see the new hair growth.

The success and amount of hair coverage on a treated area depends on how many hair follicles remain healthy after being transplanted. You will probably need several surgeries to get the hair coverage you want. Healing between surgeries usually takes several months.

Why It Is Done

Hair transplant surgery is used to cover bald spots on the scalp.

How Well It Works

The success of hair coverage depends on how many hair follicles remain healthy after being transplanted. You will probably need several surgeries to get the coverage you want.

Risks

Risks of hair transplant surgery include:

  • Death of the hair follicles after being transplanted, in which case no new hair will grow.
  • An unnatural look with a patchy hair pattern.
  • Infection.
  • Scarring.
  • Excessive bleeding.

Related Information

Credits

Current as of: November 16, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: November 16, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.