Question 1

Is a hair transplant procedure painful?

Accepted Answer

Hair transplants are carried out under local anaesthetic. This means you will have a small amount of pain from those initial injections, it is unlikely you will feel anything  from that point onwards. During the procedure, patients can relax and watch Neflix or listen to music, and often patients fall asleep.

Similarly, there may be some mild irritation after the surgery but this will clear up very quickly. We will provide you with pain killers to take home with you after the procedure.

Question 2

Will I need time off work?

Accepted Answer

We do recommend taking a few days off work in order to facilitate a complete and stress-free healing process.

Some people decide to work from home in the days following their procedure while any signs you’ve had the procedure resolve.

Generally by day 7 after your procedure, most of the swelling will have resolved and you'll have been able to wash off any of the scabbing. Most people feel confident to go back to the office at this point.

Consideration does need to be taken with some careers, for example if you where a hat in work, or if your job is particularly dirty / dusty. This will all be discussed at your consultation.

Question 3

What causes male hair loss/baldness?

Accepted Answer

Male hair loss is a very common side effect of ageing in men and will be experienced at some point during the lives.

By the age of 50 around half of men will have some degree of hair loss.

Male pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia, is primarily caused by genetic and hormonal factors. It occurs when hair follicles are sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of the hormone testosterone. DHT causes the follicles to shrink over time, resulting in thinner, shorter hair until growth eventually stops. This condition typically follows a predictable pattern, starting with a receding hairline or thinning at the crown, and is influenced by inherited traits from either parent.

Question 4

Is there anything I can do to improve my hair transplant?

Accepted Answer

In general, it is best to discuss this with us on the phone or in person.

The reason for this is that everybody’s hair loss situation and procedure requirements are different and so the answer isn’t always the same.

There are certain medical hair loss treatments that may be applied in the months running up to your procedure that can increase the quality of your results.

It is best to discuss this with us first to be 100% sure you aren’t using any treatments that can have a negative effect or wasting money on products that won’t make any difference.

Question 5

Do I need a hair transplant?

Accepted Answer

Every case of hair-loss is different and this answer often depends on you.

If you are unhappy with your hair-loss and believe it is having a negative impact on your confidence or self-esteem, we highly recommend contacting us to book a free, no-obligation consultation so we can discuss your options and what our surgeons can achieve for you.

Question 6

Can you have a hair transplant to areas other than your head?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not!

You can request facial hair transplants to combat hair loss of the beard, sideburns, moustache, eyebrows and more.
We do need to assess this on a case by case basis which is why you should book a consultation if you wish to discuss it.

Question 7

What type of procedure is best for me?

Accepted Answer

Every patient is unique and the most suitable hair transplant proceedure for you will be determined at initial consultation and discussed in detail with you.

95% of patients will be suitable for FUE surgery, but there are certain situations where a strip procedure may be more beneficial.

We will always discuss all options with you and give our expert recommendation. In some larger cases of hair loss a combined procedure may be applicable.

Question 8

Can I go in the sun after an hair transplant?

Accepted Answer

Strong direct sunlight can cause damage to the newly transplanted follicles, and also the skin after surgery will be more susceptible to sunburn.

We would advise avoiding direct strong sunlight for at least for at least 2 weeks after a transplant. After this time you can wear a loose fitting baseball cap to protect your hair from the sun.

It is also best to avoid sun creams onto the transplanted area during the first 3 months due to the chemicals in the products.

Generally keeping your new transplant out of the sun for 3 months is advisable.

Question 9

How much does a hair transplant cost?

Accepted Answer

There is not one answer to this as the cost of a hair transplant procedure varies based on the patient, their current hair the strength of their donor site, their ideal end goal etc.
There is more information about cost on our prices page, but for more information on how much it may cost you personally, we recommend booking a free consultation so we can investigate your specific requirements.

Question 10

Does a hair transplant cause scarring?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a hair transplant can cause scarring, but the type and visibility of the scars depend on the technique used:

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction):

Leaves tiny, round scars where individual follicles are extracted.
These scars are typically minimal and spread across the donor area, making them difficult to notice, even with short hair.

FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation):

Leaves a linear scar in the donor area where a strip of skin is removed.
The scar is usually hidden by surrounding hair, but it may be more noticeable with very short hairstyles.

Both techniques are designed to minimize scarring, and experienced surgeons, like Dr. Matt, use advanced methods to ensure the best aesthetic outcomes. Proper post-operative care can also help scars heal effectively.

Question 11

What is overharvesting?

Accepted Answer

Overharvesting occurs when too many hair follicles are extracted from the donor area during a hair transplant, leading to visible thinning or patchiness in the donor region. This issue can significantly affect the overall aesthetic balance of the scalp and may limit the donor area's availability for future procedures.

Causes of Overharvesting
Inexperienced Surgeons: Lack of skill or improper planning can result in excessive extraction from one area rather than distributing the extractions evenly.
Poor Candidate Selection: Patients with insufficient donor hair density may not be suitable for extensive transplants.
Exceeding Donor Area Limits: Attempting to transplant more follicles than the donor area can support, especially in cases of severe hair loss.

Consequences of Overharvesting
Visible Thinning in the Donor Area: Over-extraction can create noticeable gaps or uneven hair density.
Aesthetic Imbalance: Both the donor and recipient areas may appear unnatural, compromising the overall result.
Scar Concentration: In techniques like FUE, multiple extractions close together can create larger, more noticeable scars.
Limited Options for Future Transplants: Once the donor area is depleted, it may not support additional procedures if needed.

Preventing Overharvesting
Proper Planning: A skilled surgeon evaluates the donor area's density and limits the number of grafts extracted to maintain natural appearance.
Strategic Extraction: Distributing extractions evenly across the donor area minimizes visible thinning.
Realistic Expectations: Patients are advised on achievable results based on their donor area’s capacity and overall hair loss.
Advanced Techniques: Using smaller punch tools and advanced methods reduces trauma to the donor area.

Choosing the Right Surgeon
To avoid overharvesting, it's crucial to work with an experienced and reputable surgeon, like Dr. Matt, who prioritizes the long-term health and aesthetics of both the donor and recipient areas.
If you’re concerned about overharvesting or want to learn more about hair transplant options, schedule a consultation to discuss your needs and goals.

Question 12

How long does a hair transplant take?

Accepted Answer

Most of our procedures take place over a single day, meaning you can get back to your daily life as soon as possible. The procedure itself on the day will generally take between 5 and 10 hours depending on the size of the area being transplanted.

Larger cases may require two days.

Question 13

Will I have to cut my hair short?

Accepted Answer

It is typically required that you have short hair in order to give our surgeons the most freedom and accuracy possible. We assess this on a case to case basis and will help you to avoid it if at all possible.

However, we are able to do this for you on the day of your procedure and it isn’t something you should worry about.

If you do not wish to have your hair cut, please make this known.

Question 14

I've had a hair transplant recently and my hair has fallen out

Accepted Answer

This is a normal occurrence and an important part of the procedure.
The transplants hair shed because they have been disturbed. The follicle remains under the skin and will regrow healthy new hair in due course.

Question 15

How long after my hair transplant will I see results?

Accepted Answer

At around 2-4 months post-op your the transplanted hair will begin to push through the skin, quite fine at first.
This will happen at different times and at different speeds causing a patchy start. In 12 months you can expect a full regrowth of your transplanted hair.

Question 16

Can I go swimming after a hair transplant?

Accepted Answer

We advise avoiding swimming for 14 days after your procedure.
Most swimming pools contain chlorine which should not come into contact with broken skin or healing wounds.
Even pools without chlorine can pose an infection risk to your healing scalp.
Once 2 weeks have passed and your scalp has fully healed, this is no longer an issue.

Question 17

How long before signs of growth are visible?

Accepted Answer

It’s important to be aware that you will not see signs of regrowth until 3 to 6 months after your transplant.

Around 4 weeks after your procedure, most of your transplanted hair will likely fall out, leading you to look similar to how you looked before your procedure.

This may be disheartening at first but this is actually when the real hair growth begins.
From here, your follicles will each begin naturally growing hair again, each starting at different times and at different speeds.

It will take a few months for this to balance out and up to a year to achieve full, natural, healthy hair growth.

Question 18

Are results permanent?

Accepted Answer

Yes!

While natural hair loss can continue, hair that has been transplanted typically comes from the back of the scalp where hair loss is very rare.

As a result, these new hairs are much hardier and the vast majority of patients who have gone through a hair transplant procedure have a healthy head of hair for the rest of their lives.

Question 19

When can i drink alcohol after my procedure?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol can have a negative effect on the healing process and so we recommend you avoid drinking for 7 days after your procedure.

Frequently asked questions