The goal of a hair transplant is to restore hair growth to parts of the scalp that have suffered hair loss or have no hair. A professional hair transplant by a reputable hair loss clinic can be effective and successful at treating different types of hair loss in both men and women.
However, as people enter their senior years, hair loss is a natural process that will continue. In that case, a follow-up hair transplant treatment may be necessary. On the other hand, if you’d like to keep your hair as long as possible, or regrow hair while it’s still possible, a hair transplant is something you may want to consider.
We’ve created this in-depth guide to help you learn about hair transplants for men and women, so you can better understand how they work.
How Does a Hair Transplant Procedure Work?
A hair transplant is done to relocate healthy hair follicles from one part of the scalp (called the donor site, usually at the back or sides of the head) to the area that has suffered hair loss. This is the treatment area and maybe the crown, forehead, temples, middle part, and other areas of the scalp. During the procedure, old hair follicles are replaced with new follicles, allowing new hair to grow in the treatment area.
You may also hear about a hair transplant called “hair grafting.” In this case, the healthy hair follicles are removed from parts of the scalp that have plenty of hair. The follicles are then “grafted” into the treatment area.
No matter which way you describe it, the process involves moving hair follicles from one part of the scale to another. This is also referred to as hair restoration. In recent years, technology has dramatically improved. In the past, surgeons had to remove tufts of hair to get good results, and those results didn’t always look natural. The procedure was called the “hair plug” method.
The hair plug has thankfully become part of the past. Today, skilled surgeons who are experienced with hair replacement therapies use the micro-grafts method to minimise the appearance of transplanted hair on the head. One example of this method is the FUE hair transplant method, which involves transplanting hair follicles manually, one by one. This method creates the most natural look and has the best long-term results.
FUE hair transplants have a high success rate between 95% to 100%. An FUE hair transplant is considered successful when anything between 60% to 70% of hair grafts survive. In this case, the client will end up with good hair growth and coverage.
Are Hair Transplants Guaranteed to Work?
Unfortunately, hair transplants are not always successful for everyone. As with regular hair, transplanted or grafted hair thins over time, which is a natural part of the ageing process.
Do Hair Transplants Work Long-Term?
The answer depends on a wide range of factors. Let’s take a look.
Who Do Hair Transplants Work Best For?
Both men and women can have hair transplants. There’s absolutely no shame in restoring your hair to boost your self-confidence and enhance your appearance.
There are certain factors that mean a person is a good candidate for a hair transplant procedure, including:
- Balding or androgenetic alopecia
- Hair that is thinning naturally
- Hair loss due to injury
- Hair loss due to a surgical procedure
- Hair damage or traction alopecia
- People who have good hair density
In general terms, anyone who is experiencing significant hair loss and has suitable donor area hair, a healthy scalp, and is healthy, is a good candidate for a hair transplant. We say this with reasonable expectations, of course.
Before you can have a hair transplant procedure, it’s first necessary to see a hair loss surgeon to determine what type of hair loss you have.
Who is Not Suitable for a Hair Transplant?
Clients who have hair loss caused by conditions that are ongoing or recurrent are not good candidates for a hair transplant. These conditions can include the following:
- Alopecia areata
- Thyroid disease
- Diabetes
- Anaemia
- Hair-pulling
- Drug-induced hair loss
- Post-pregnancy (postpartum) hair loss
How Long Does a Hair Transplant Last?
A hair transplant is a permanent procedure, but as mentioned earlier, transplanted or grafted hair will begin to thin as you age, just like regular hair.
The good news is that while your hair follicles may think, they will still produce some hair for the rest of your life. Healthy hair follicles that are transplanted will follow the natural life cycle of hair. The hair cycle has four states, which include growth, transition, rest, and shedding. The entire life cycle lasts a few years for each hair.
Do Hair Transplants Really Work?
Yes, hair transplant procedures are highly successful; however, it’s necessary to see a skilled, experienced surgeon at a highly-rated clinic to ensure your surgery is successful. In addition, it’s necessary to follow the surgeon’s aftercare regimen and continue with hair treatments that improve scalp health and stimulate hair regrowth.
Do Hair Transplants Work for Women?
Yes, hair transplants are also successful for women. Women can experience hair loss and find it challenging to regrow their hair and hide hair loss.
What Age Can a Person Have a Hair Transplant?
It’s recommended that you wait until you’re at least 25 years of age before having a hair transplant procedure. The reason is that your hormones, those responsible for adult hair growth, need to stabilise. Having the surgery too early could result in unnatural hair growth patterns.
Is a Hair Transplant Painful?
A hair transplant is performed under local anaesthesia and a mild sedative. Most patients feel little to no discomfort during the FUE procedure.
Most patients are awake during their procedures; however, the surgeon usually schedules breaks to ensure their patient and the surgeon remain relaxed.
Concluding Thoughts
Hair transplants today have a higher success rate than in the past. The procedures and methods used by surgeons have led to more successful hair transplants than ever before.
Before having a hair transplant procedure, it’s essential to visit a high-quality clinic and see the surgeon. They need to determine the type of hair loss you have and whether you’re a good candidate for a hair loss procedure.
The good news is that both men and women can experience excellent results with a hair transplant!
