Overview
A hair transplant moves healthy follicles from a donor area — usually the back and sides of the scalp — to areas that have thinned or receded. Because it is surgery, it is planned and carried out under the direction of a plastic surgeon.
Not all hair loss is suited to transplantation. The first step is understanding why you are losing hair.
This may be relevant if…
- A receding hairline or thinning at the crown
- Pattern hair loss that has become stable
- Thin eyebrows or areas of scarring where hair no longer grows
At your consultation
- Identifying the type and cause of hair loss; some causes need medical treatment rather than surgery
- Assessing donor hair density and scalp condition
- Planning a hairline that suits your age and will still look natural as you get older
How it is done
Follicles are taken either individually (follicular unit extraction, FUE) or from a thin strip of scalp (FUT), then placed one by one in the recipient area.
The procedure is done under local anaesthesia.
Risks, recovery & limits
- Transplanted hairs usually shed first before new growth begins, and results develop gradually over months.
- Hair loss elsewhere may continue, so ongoing medical treatment is sometimes advised.
- Risks include infection, swelling, numbness, inflamed follicles and visible donor-site scarring.
Other options
- Medical treatments for hair loss
- Hairpieces or styling approaches
- Choosing not to have treatment
This page is general information, not medical advice. Whether this treatment suits you — and your own risks, recovery and costs — can only be judged at an in-person consultation with Dr. Swathi Gagannatham. Read the medical disclaimer.