Hair Transplant Questions

Will It Work?

The principle is simple; the genetic make up of the hair around the sides and the back are immune from the male pattern baldness gene. This enables the hairs to be moved to an area of thinning and they keep their natural characteristics and continue to grow.

How Long Does It Take?

This is dependent on the procedure and the amount of grafts placed; strip procedures of 5000 grafts plus are completed in one day, FUE procedures over 1500 grafts are budgeted for consecutive days; i.e. 3000 FUE over two consecutive days.

Is It Painful?

There is very little discomfort; the procedures performed under local anaesthetic and mild sedative and you are conscious throughout. There is very little need for post medication for pain and little more than a mild painkiller for the first night is required.

Which Technique Is Better?

There is not a simple answer to this question; each technique has its’ merits and its’ down falls; that is why education is vital to evaluate which procedure is going to be best suited to the individual goals, hair loss stage and long term happiness.

Can I Use Somebody Else's Hair?

The easy answer is no; the genetic properties in the follicle must match those of the recipient. Research commissioned in to the potential of donor transfer is there, but it is in the very early stages.

Can Hair Be taken From Other Parts Of The Body?

The use of body Hair FUE is a newer form of H/T; and should only as a last resort on patients’ whose scalp donor has suffered so much trauma that there is little hair to take. BH can be taken from the back, chest arms and legs. It holds different characteristics to scalp hair and the patient must be extensively educated before this is even considered.

It is BHR Policy to always patch test Body Hair FUE prior to the patient undergoing any extensive procedure. The patch test is completed and then assessed over six months, if results are found to be positve then we may proceed. The Body Hair Patch Test is Free of Charge at BHR.

What Is A Mega-Session?

The term has become common in the Industry to refer to either a Strip or FUE case of over 3000 grafts. They involve placing a large amount of grafts in one session to give maximum density and coverage with out the need for multiple procedures over time.

What Is Dense Packing?

This is the art of placing the follicular units close enough together to ensure a natural result/density in one pass; for example the design of the hair line not having large gaps between each hair and having to place in between at a later. The amount of follicular units placed will alter dependent on certain factors, hair characteristics, hair shaft quality, ethnic origin, hair colour, curl, and your existing hair density. Dense packing is a great skill, being able to successfully place the follicular units close together without compromising the growth of each hair; the angle of the site and the size of the gauge used will all affect the result.

What Is Transection & Growth Rate?

Transection is the loss of follicles when removed from the donor area. This occurs because the follicular unit becomes damaged when being removed; an acceptable transection rate is approximately 5-7%.

The growth rate is the % of follicular units that grow once placed in the recipient area. The yield is compromised if the FU are not placed correctly, stored effectively or damaged when being placed; an acceptable growth rate is approximately 94-98%.

What Is Shock Loss?

This is a term used to describe the temporary loss of the existing hair surrounding the newly placed hair or in the donor area. This is countered by hair growth stimulants and the skill of the doctor whist placing the follicular units. The phenomenon is temporary, if you suffer at all, and often not even noticeable as it can sometimes just mean the thinning of the surrounding hair opposed to the actual loss.

What Is Scalp Laxity?

This has more importance with Strip procedures but is important factor for FUE also. The skin is amazingly pliable and a strip can be removed with hardly compromising the skin tissue and the cosmetic appearance of your facial features. Scalp laxity plays an important role in the transfer of the hairs from the donor to the recipient area. A man with better laxity can expect better healing and potentially more hairs being transplanted. The more procedures that are undergone the less laxity your scalp will have.

Can I Have More Than One HT?

The potential number of grafts on an average scalp that can be moved can be in excess of 8000; and this is not possible or ethically wise to do in one procedure. Therefore, more procedures can be carried out at a later date if the person loses more existing hair or wishes more coverage. Donor management allows the sensible and ethical distribution of hair to gain the maximum result for the patient.

Will I Need More Than One HT?

Factors such as age, Norwood Class and progression of hair loss will help to answer this question; but in most cases a person will certainly undergo more than one procedure; even if there maybe many years in between each.

Will I Be Left With A Scar?

Regardless of the technique used and how well it is performed technically the fact the skin tissue has been cut or punched there will be a scar. Today with Strip closure methods the linear scar is becoming undetectable even with very short hair. With FUE the technique is much less invasive and the scarring much smaller; on occasions the scarring can be invisible to the eye, even if the head is shaved.

When Will My New Hair Grow?

The placed hair in the recipient area takes approximately one week to properly bed into to the skin tissue and cardiovascular system. The hair can start to grow within the first month and then fall out, leaving no visible signs of the H/T; it is common for 80% of the placed hair to initially fall. The follicle then rest for 3 to 4 months before the growth starts; at this stage is normal to have 30% growth, at 6 months 60% growth and 9-11 months the remaining growth. It can take a year for the full growth to mature and the true result be seen.