A hair transplant is a procedure done to add more hair to an area on your head that is thinning or balding. Hair is taken from the thicker part of the scalp and then grafting it to the section of the head that is thinning or balding. A hair transplant is a restoration method that people choose to undergo as a more permanent solution. In most cases, hair transplants are more effective than over-the-counter products.

Hair transplants are generally considered to be a low-pain procedure. During the hair transplant, your surgeon will apply local anesthesia, and you can expect some soreness once the anesthesia wears off. Most patients experience slight stinging and discomfort for a few days following a hair transplant, which can be easily managed with over-the-counter medications or even prescribed pain medications. 

If you are feeling anxious or unsure about your pain tolerance, you can ask your surgeon about options for pain management to ensure your recovery process is as comfortable as possible.

The number of grafts you will need depends on the extent of your hair loss, your target area, and your desired results. Minimal hair loss in a small area may need as few as 600 grafts, with more significant hair loss in a larger area often requiring 3,000 or more. 

The unique physical characteristics of your existing hair will also play a role in determining how many grafts can be taken from other areas. Your surgeon will look at your hair’s thickness and density – as well as whether you have coarse or fine hair – to assess how many healthy follicles are available to transplant. 

The best way to find out how many grafts you need is to schedule a consultation with a surgeon. They will conduct a full evaluation and recommend the number of grafts needed based on your unique goals and hair characteristics.

Taking good care of your scalp after a hair transplant will ensure that your recovery is as comfortable as possible and your results are long-lasting. The following are the most common recommendations after a hair transplant: 

• Regularly apply a designated scalp moisturizer to ensure your transplant is properly hydrated. 

• Gently wash your hair with a mild shampoo, and avoid scrubbing or scratching. 

• Keep your scalp protected from UV rays by wearing a hat. 

• Avoid using hair dryers, gels, waxes, or other hair styling products for at least four weeks. 

• Get plenty of rest in the days following your transplant, while avoiding strenuous activities that may increase blood pressure. 

• Apply cold compresses or ice packs to the transplant area to help decrease swelling and manage any pain or discomfort. 

• Avoid swimming, hot tubs, and saunas for at least two weeks. 

Your hair transplant surgeon will provide detailed aftercare instructions following your procedure. Following your recovery plan closely will give your body its best chance to heal after a hair transplant.

Hair loss can be caused by a wide range of causes, from hereditary to lifestyle. Some of the most common factors in hair loss include: 

• Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or the thyroid.

• Chemical treatments to bleach or straighten hair.

• Hairstyles that are overly tight or restrictive.

• Nutritional deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, or protein. 

• Stressful life events like a death, illness, or major surgery.

• Medical conditions such as alopecia or lupus.

In some cases, certain medications can have adverse side effects on the thickness and quality of hair, with some directly causing hair loss (such as cancer treatments). Even medications for blood pressure, arthritis, depression, or heart issues can contribute to hair loss over time.

Choosing to undergo a hair transplant can be a highly rewarding process, but it can also be stressful – and knowing what to expect can make all the difference. Whether you are evaluating different providers or looking to get a better understanding of the process, here are some key questions to ask your hair transplant surgeon: 

• How much will a hair transplant cost?

• What type of hair transplant would you recommend, and how long is the recovery?

• How can I take care of my hair transplant during recovery and over the long term?

• Are there any alternatives to a hair transplant that I should consider?

• Can I see testimonials or before and after pictures from prior patients?

Finally, before undergoing a hair transplant, you should always ensure that you are working with a board-certified surgeon. This additional certification verifies that they have met rigorous quality standards for surgery, and have undergone stringent examination from a surgical board.

A hair transplant consult will start with a comprehensive assessment of your scalp. Your surgeon will want to review the extent of hair loss, hair density and type, as well as the donation area (the area where existing hair follicles will be extracted from). They will also ask about your desired results, such as your ideal hairline and thickness. 

You can also expect an overview of your medical history, including prior hair loss treatments that you’ve tried, whether there is a family history of hair loss, and any pre-existing conditions. Some surgeons may even include sophisticated computer imaging to help visualize the type of results that are realistically possible based on your goals and hair donor quality. 

Finally, you will receive a personalized estimate and treatment plan to detail the number of grafts needed, recovery time, aftercare, and overall pricing.

Not everyone is a good candidate for hair transplant surgery. There is a limit to how much hair can be moved to another section. There are several characteristics of hair that may make you a good candidate for a hair transplant:

1. Hair Colour
Hair colour is one of the most significant factors that will determine how effective the result of your surgery will be. Those with a significant contrast between the two (e.g., dark skin and dark hair, or light complexion and light hair) are less ‘noticeably’ bald. They are usually suitable candidates for hair transplantation because of this.

2. Hair Density
Surgeons will look for a high density of hair follicles in the donor areas of the scalp, which include the back of the head and the sides. To transplant donor follicles throughout the scalp, you’ll require a moderate-to-high level of hair density.

3. Hair Texture
People with curly or wavy hair can usually expect better results with a lesser number of follicular units used.

4. Hair Thickness
Similar to hair texture, hair thickness can determine whether or not a hair transplant will be successful. Those with thick hair require fewer drafts to get the same cosmetic effect as those with thinner hair. This is because baldness appears due to light penetrating past the hair and then being reflected off the scalp. Those with thicker hair will block more of the light from being reflected off the scalp, resulting in a better cosmetic effect.

5. Scalp Flexibility
Scalp flexibility, also known as scalp laxity, is also considered when determining the suitability of a candidate for a hair transplant. For example, if you have low laxity of the scalp (e.g., a tight scalp), it will be more challenging to remove follicles from the scalp and transplant them than someone who has high laxity (e.g., a loose scalp).

In simple terms, hair is taken (typically from the back of your head) and transferred to the area of your head where your hair is thinner or balding. There are two methods in which a surgeon can perform a hair transplant: FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) or FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction).

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS)

Step One – The surgeon will remove a piece of your scalp using a scalpel along the back of your head. The strip is usually 6-10 inches long.

Step Two – Using stitches, your surgeon will close the area of the scalp where the strip was removed.

Step Three – The scalp strip will then be separated into smaller sections using a scalpel – this strip of the scalp can be divided into up to 2,000 pieces, called grafts. These grafts may only contain one hair each.

Step Four – Using a needle or a blade, your surgeon will create small holes on your scalp where the hair will be transplanted.

Step Five – Your surgeon will then insert hair from the removed strip of scalp into the puncture holes – this process is called grafting.

Step Six: – Your surgeon will then cover both surgical sites with bandages to protect them.
How many grafts you get depends on a few factors depending on:

• The type of hair you have

• Size of your transplant site

• Quality/thickness of your hair

• Hair colour

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

Step One – They shave the hair on the back of your head

Step Two – Your surgeon will remove individual follicles out of the scalp.

Step Three – The surgeon will then, similarly to the FUT operation, create small holes in your scalp and graft hair follicles into these holes.

Step Four – The surgeon will then cover the surgical site with bandages.

Day 1-7
Directly after your procedure, the grafts will be very sensitive. It will take about five days for the follicles to attach to the blood vessels under the skin. There will be mild swelling/redness and blood clots at the site where the hairs were implanted.

Day 10-14
The transplanted hairs will shed; this is normal and should be expected. The hair follicle lives and creates new hair even if the hair falls out.

Month 1-2
New hair will start to sprout through the surface of the scalp. The average time for new growth is around three months but will vary from person to person. The hair tends to grow unevenly and relatively thin, but it will thicken over time.

Month 5-6
There should be a considerable amount of growth by months five and six. New hair should be approximately two to three inches long, and the hair shaft should begin to thicken.

The hair follicles’ migration is irreversible, as there is no means to return them to their original location. However, just like the rest of your hair follicles, the hair that has been transplanted has a lifespan, and at some point in the future, it may stop producing as much hair as it used to.

Finding the best hair transplant surgeon for your procedure can be a challenge. You should look at factors such as qualifications, experience, and patient reviews. At Beautifi, we may this process easy for you. Our platform provides access to a wide range of verified doctors, including some of the best hair transplant surgeons in Canada. We’re dedicated to making your journey towards improved self-confidence simple and easy. Trust Beautifi to connect you with the right professional for your hair transplant procedure.

Hair transplant cost is based on the number of follicles transplanted. On average, the cost of each follicle is $3-$8. These numbers can fluctuate depending on the area you are located in and the person doing it. On average, a person will get 2500-3000 grafts per transplant.

Yes, you can finance a hair transplant! In Canada, Beautifi specializes in providing financing for hair transplants, offering a convenient way to manage the large cost associated with hair transplant surgery. With their financing plans, you can take out a loan to cover the procedure cost and then repay it in more manageable monthly installments. This allows for easier budgeting, as you can spread the cost over time with a monthly payment plan. By choosing to finance with Beautifi, you can make the hair transplant procedure financially accessible, without the burden of the large upfront cost! Beautifi’s financing options ensure that you have a flexible and practical payment plan tailored to your needs.

There are risks to any surgery, but with hair transplant surgery, there are minor risks and complications, including:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Numbness/lack of sensation around the scalp

• Itchiness

• Swelling of the scalp

• Inflammation or infection of hair follicles (folliculitis)

• Shock loss – this is the sudden but temporary loss of the transplanted hair

• Unnatural-looking hair growth

601/642 people who have gotten a hair transplant have rated the procedure “Worth It” (94%)

– Source: Realself