Hair transplant
Key facts
- Hair transplant surgery is a cosmetic surgery used to help treat hair loss.
- A plastic surgeon takes hair from other places on your head and transfers it to hairless areas.
- Multiple sessions are usually needed and there is a risk that it will not look as desired.
- It is important to have realistic expectations and discuss the potential risks and benefits with your doctor.
What is a hair transplant?
Hair transplantation or replacement surgery is a treatment option for people concerned about thinning hair or baldness.
It is cosmetic surgery that transfers existing hair follicles from areas where hair is thicker to hairless areas of the scalp. This allows hair to grow in areas of the scalp where hair was lost. Hair transplantation can also be used to restore hair to eyelashes, eyebrows, beards, chest hair, pubic hair and regions of the body where scarring occurred affecting hair growth.
Multiple transplant sessions are usually needed. This can be expensive and isn't commonly covered by Medicare. However, may people have good results, which are usually permanent.
What are the benefits of a hair transplant?
For many people, hair loss can be distressing and affect their self-image, self-esteem or mental health. If you are concerned about your appearance, hair transplant surgery can help minimise the impact of hair loss on your wellbeing.
What does a hair transplant involve?
You will usually have a local anaesthetic and sedation. If the surgery planned for you is complicated, you might be given a general anaesthetic.
Your surgeon will choose from a range of surgical options including:
- taking plugs of hair from areas where it continues to grow and inserting them in bald areas
- transplanting small patches of skin from areas with more hair
- scalp reduction, which involves removing areas of bald skin
Sometimes, multiple techniques are used to get the best results. Talk to your surgeon about what they might recommend.
How do I know if a hair transplant is right for me?
Hair transplantation is not suitable for all people with hair loss. Speak to your surgeon to understand the benefits and risks of a hair transplant in your circumstances and what you might expect from the treatment.
Things to consider:
- You must have healthy hair growing on your head to be used as donor plugs.
- The colour and texture of your hair might affect how the results look and grow.
- You won't achieve the full hair coverage that you had prior to hair loss, but you may be able to camouflage some of the balding areas.
- You should be physically healthy and able to undergo surgery.
- You will usually need to be a non-smoker or have stopped smoking.
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How can I prepare myself for a hair transplant?
Make sure to tell your surgeon about any illnesses or medical conditions and any medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter items and herbal remedies. Some medicines increase the risk of bleeding and you might need to stop them temporarily.
If you smoke, it is best to stop well before surgery. Smoking can affect wound healing and increases the risk of bleeding and infection after surgery.
Your surgeon or the medical clinic will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for the surgery. Make sure that you understand and follow these instructions carefully.
You will need to organise someone to drive you home after surgery. It is a good idea to arrange for someone stay with you or check in on you when you first return home.
You may want to prepare your home with pillows, ice packs and any other supplies that you may need during your recovery.
How soon will I recover?
You might have discomfort after the procedure, such as a tight feeling, swelling or aching of the scalp. Pain relief medicines may reduce your discomfort.
Your surgeon will give you instructions, including when any stitches will need to be removed, when you can wash your hair and when you can start playing sport again.
If you experience any bleeding, unusual symptoms or have any concerns, contact your surgeon or doctor immediately.
What complications can happen?
Hair transplant surgery is generally safe and most people recover well, but every surgical procedure carries risks. Complications that may occur following hair transplant surgery include:
- excessive bleeding
- infections
- thick scars on the scalp
- a patchy, unnatural look
- grafted hair not growing as expected
Some people also find that their hair grows more slowly than expected. Others find that the operation doesn't work and opt for repeat surgery.
Cosmetic surgery is not without risk. Make sure your surgery is performed by qualified surgeons in properly accredited facilities with an anaesthetist present.
Are there alternatives to hair transplant surgery?
Hair loss is not a disease and is generally treated for cosmetic reasons only. Some people decide to embrace their hair loss and shave their hair completely. Other options to mask hair loss include:
- wearing a wig, scarf or hat to cover your scalp
- using hair products to add volume to your hair
- getting eyebrow tattoos
You may choose to treat hair loss with medical treatments such as:
- minoxidil foam or lotion to stimulate hair growth
- anti-androgen medicines such as spironolactone or cyproterone acetate to slow down female hair loss
- finasteride to reduce hormone levels in males
Different treatments may work better for some people than others. It is important to discuss all your options with your doctor.
Another option for dealing with hair loss is to accept that it is a natural part of the ageing process. If you are finding this difficult, it might help to talk to someone you trust, such as a friend, your partner or a professional counsellor or psychologist.
What will happen if I decide not to have the procedure or it is delayed?
If you decide not to go ahead with hair transplantation surgery, you can try other hair loss treatments or revisit the idea of surgery in the future.
Resources and support
About hair transplant
More information about the procedure can be found at the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons website.
About hair loss
Learn more about hair loss and alternative treatments on these pages:
About surgical procedures
Learn more about surgical procedures on these pages:
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Last reviewed: August 2024
