Well, in simple terms it’s a medical procedure to move hair from where you have it, to where you don’t. Because it is an invasive procedure that doesn’t actually treat the cause of hair loss, it should often considered be a last resort. But the promise of permanent results can tempt a lot of people into a hair transplant before it’s necessary.
Most surgeons and medical professionals do not recommend a hair transplant until after the age of 30, when you start to see hair loss stabilizing through age. Clinically proven medications like Finasteride and Minoxidil can also stabilize any hair loss to the point where a transplant may then be feasible. You will also likely need to take these hair loss treatments after a hair transplant to maintain your native hair and help promote growth.
A hair transplant is when you move hair follicles from a dense area - usually the back or sides of the scalp - to an area with thinning or no hair. The areas at the side and back of the scalp are not typically subject to male pattern hair loss, which is why they are usually described as the donor area for hair transplants.
There are two main techniques: FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), where a strip of scalp is removed and dissected into grafts, and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), where individual follicles are extracted.
Both these methods are undertaken under local anesthesia. The grafts are then implanted into tiny incisions in the thinning area, following the natural hair pattern. After the surgery, the hair will initially shed, but grows back within between 4-12 months after the follicle beds into its new location, with full results visible after 12-18 months.
Hair loss treatments, such as medications like Minoxidil and Finasteride, offer a non-invasive, more convenient, and lower-cost alternative to hair transplants. The surgery for a hair transplant might only take five to seven hours, but most clinics recommend taking 1 to 2 weeks off work after the surgery to recover. You also need to be very careful with your transplanted hair for the first two weeks after your operation as the grafts will not be secure, and may need to cut down how much you exercise for a month.
While results may vary, hair loss treatments can be a more flexible option for men seeking to manage hair loss over time without the recovery time you get with hair transplants. Hair loss treatments also tend to be more affordable than hair transplants, which can cost anywhere between £1,000 and £30,000 according to the NHS. And while a hair transplant is costly, there’s no guarantee that loss of your native/pre-transplanted hair won’t continue post-op.
Finasteride and Minoxidil, meanwhile, are licensed treatments proven to be effective, safe and convenient, offering a useful alternative to a hair transplant, or an option to use alongside it.
On a final note, it’s important to stress that a transplant and medical treatment are not mutually exclusive. Medication first stops hair loss and can give some regrowth. For those with more extensive hair loss or looking for more extensive regrowth, a transplant may be the next best option. Supporting the transplant with medication is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Topping up density with a transplant is pointless if the pre-existing hair is going to thin out further so medication will slow the process down, or even prevent it from happening.
Finasteride and Minoxidil, meanwhile, are licensed treatments proven to be effective, safe and convenient, offering a useful alternative to a hair transplant, or an option to use alongside it.
On a final note, it’s important to stress that a transplant and medical treatment are not mutually exclusive. Medication first stops hair loss and can give some regrowth. For those with more extensive hair loss or looking for more extensive regrowth, a transplant may be the next best option. Supporting the transplant with medication is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Topping up density with a transplant is pointless if the pre-existing hair is going to thin out further so medication will slow the process down, or even prevent it from happening.
Using hair loss treatments after a hair transplant can enhance and maintain the results.
A transplant relocates healthy hair follicles and is usually permanent hair not subject to male pattern hair loss.
However, medications like Minoxidil or Finasteride can still help slow any further thinning by promoting regrowth. These treatments can also boost the density and longevity of newly transplanted hair, supporting overall hair health.
It's important to have a medical consultation before starting treatments post-transplant to ensure compatibility and optimal results.
Hundreds of studies have been made on hair loss treatments, but the only two treatments that have been clinically proven are Oral Tablets and Minoxidil.
Sons is the only UK license holder for both.
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It should be noted that this is a general guide and not intended to substitute the personalised advice given to you by your hair transplant clinic.
Post hair transplant use a saline solution to keep the grafts moist. Spray the transplanted hair at least three times a day, starting the day after your procedure. This keeps the area clean, prevents infection and promotes the healing process.
Use a shampoo with no harsh chemicals (like baby or tea tree shampoo) for at least the first two weeks post operation.
Some clinics also recommend using a Liposomal ATP spray in the first 3-5 days post op to promote healing and kickstart hair growth. However, this can be expensive and not all clinics use it.
Start to take nutritional supplements designed for your hair health, like Sons’ Hair Growth Complex, which combines 9 clinically effective natural ingredients, including Anagain, marine collagen, and biotin, to address hair thinning, enhance growth rate, and improve overall hair quality. It’s the nutrients your hair needs to thrive.
After two weeks you want to switch to a regular shampoo and conditioner routine. We don’t include any cleansing agents or harmful chemicals in our Shampoo and Conditioner, which makes them perfect for nourishing your hair. They both contain Saw Palmetto, which is a proven DHT blocker, so using regularly can help reduce the levels of DHT on the scalp and protect against its negative impact.
Sons Shampoo also contains caffeine, glycerin and vitamin B3, which all contribute to overall hair health and thickness, while Sons Conditioner uses argan oil and biotin to moisturise and strengthen, protecting hair against breakage.
Are hair transplants painful?
This really depends. The surgery itself is generally not very painful, as local anesthesia is used to numb the scalp during the hair transplant procedure.
However, your scalp is likely to feel tight, sore, and itchy once the anesthetic has worn off. This discomfort is typically managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, while the recovery time will vary for each person.
It’s also worth bearing in mind there is a small risk of bleeding and infection from a hair transplant, while some might have an allergic reaction to the anesthetic.
How much does a hair transplant cost?
According to the NHS, hair transplants can cost anywhere between £1,000 and £30,000.
The demand for hair transplants has given rise to an increasing number of low-cost, low-quality clinics. There’s a risk attached here, with some of these clinics not adhering to safety and clinical best practice standards, with no formal qualifications, regulations, or licensing. It can often be hard to tell the difference between the quality of clinics and their results so it’s important to research the options carefully
A “botched” hair transplant can have serious outcomes, with the risk of infection and an unwelcome impact on the client’s appearance.
The design of a hair transplant is important in this case. It needs to be designed well with a natural hair line that will look normal if further hair loss occurs. It's better to have no transplant than the wrong transplant if done badly it can be horrific.
In summary, it’s worth investing if you’re making the decision, or looking at other more affordable, non-invasive options, like Minoxidil or Finasteride.
How long does a hair transplant last?
Again, it really depends on the person and the procedure.
In a 2020 study involving 112 people who had undergone FUT, it was found that after 4 years, 55.35% showed a moderate reduction in transplanted hair density while 8.92% showed no change. There are many reasons why this might be however, including the fact that hair from the donor area will naturally start to thin anyway.
Done correctly, a hair transplant adds permanent density to the recipient area. However, the native hair is still subject to male pattern hair loss, so to maintain that hair and ensure the best outcome from a hair transplant, the use of Finasteride and Minoxidil is important in your post-transplant aftercare to ensure the best results.
Can you get a beard transplant?
Yes, it is possible to get a beard transplant, but even more caution should be given to getting one. Scarring is a potential side effect of any hair transplant, and as opposed to being slightly out of view on your scalp, any scarring from a beard transplant will be highly visible on your face. Everyone scars differently, and people who are prone to more severe scarring, or keloid scars, should be particularly cautious about getting any form of hair transplant.
A beard transplant may also lead to an infection or trigger acne, making you feel even more self-conscious.
What should you do before and after a hair transplant?
Before having a hair transplant, you should avoid blood-thinning medications and smoking to allow oxygen levels in the tissues to normalise. You should also minimise drinking alcohol as this can also affect healing.
After surgery, follow your doctor’s instructions closely: keep the scalp clean, avoid touching or scratching, and refrain from strenuous activities. Sleeping with an elevated head can reduce swelling and promote recovery.
Hair transplant side effects
As with any surgery, transplants have some risks, including bleeding and infection. There’s also the chance for scarring and unnatural-looking new hair growth.
Around the time new hairs start to grow, some people have inflammation or an infection of the hair follicles, called folliculitis. Antibiotics and compresses can ease the problem. It’s also possible to suddenly lose some of the original hair in the area where you got the new strands, called shock loss. But most of the time, it’s not permanent.
Talk with your doctor about these risks and how much improvement you’re likely to get from the surgery. They can help you decide if it's a good option for you.
Chemist 4 U is our partner pharmacy and independent prescribing service. Innox Trading Ltd, 34a-37 Greenhey Place, Lancashire, WN8 9SA Our medical products have been licensed for sale in the UK and are regulated by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
