ATTENTION

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 for 24/7 free and confidential crisis support. You do not have to be suicidal to call. Access more info and resources on suicide prevention, emotional and mental health support

toggle mobile menu Menu
toggle search menu

Site Navigation

Supplemental

Menu

Hair Transplant Surgery

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: March 20, 2023

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

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Healthwise is a URAC accredited health web site content provider. Privacy Policy. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

© 1995- Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.