Hair Transplant Frequently Asked Questions

Many men and women have discovered that a hair transplant can be a permanent solution to hair loss. However, it’s normal to have questions about the procedure before scheduling a consultation or deciding to get a hair transplant. Following are 7 frequently asked questions and the answers to them.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Hair Transplant?

Men and women experiencing pattern baldness or thinning hair are typically good candidates for hair transplants. This is provided they still have healthy hair growth around the sides and back of their head (hair from those areas is used for grafts). People with hair loss from scarring, scalp injuries, and prior hair restoration procedures may also be good candidates.

How Does the Procedure Work?

There are a couple of different procedures used for hair transplants, which are surgical procedures, and your doctor will explain them and help decide which is right for you. Basically, the surgeon transplants hair follicles from existing spots of hair growth to bald or thinning areas. After grafting, the hair follicles promote new growth that will last for the rest of the patient’s lifetime.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

Most people will require one or two procedures scheduled several months apart. Each procedure lasts three to four hours. In some cases, additional procedures are necessary; it can depend on the individual and the amount of existing hair loss. These are in-office procedures; hospital visits are not necessary.

Is the Procedure Painful?

Your surgeon will use local anesthesia and/or intravenous sedation, so you will not experience discomfort during the procedure itself. However, you should expect soreness and pain during the recovery period, which we’ll talk about next.

What Is the Recovery Like?

It can take up to 10 days for pain, swelling, and crusting to completely disappear. However, medication will be available to help manage them, and you should be able to resume normal activities sooner than that. For example, you should be able to shampoo again the next day, most people return to work within 24-48 hours, and you can engage in swimming and other physical activities within 5-7 days.

Will There Be Complications or Side Effects?

Every surgical procedure carries a risk of complications and side effects, but those from hair transplants tend to be minimal, and serious ones are rare. Aside from pain and swelling, you might experience itching or, more infrequently, bleeding and infection. Always monitor the healing and immediately contact your doctor at the first signs of infection or other serious complications.

When Will I Start To See Results?

The first thing to know is that after a month, most transplanted hair will fall out. This is normal. By three months after the procedure, new hair should start growing, and the new growth typically takes full effect after around a year. Keep in mind that results will vary according to the extent of prior hair loss, the density of the donor hair, and the number of procedures.

If you think you might be a good candidate for a hair transplant, we urge you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zandifar of ZMD Hair. Dr. Zandifar is an experienced hair transplant surgeon who will help you understand what’s causing your hair loss, whether a hair transplant would be good for you, and how to proceed from there.

Let’s schedule your consultation today!