Hair Transplant Surgery- Does it work?

By Brandie Umar - Executive Director of Content | June 24th, 2010

What exactly is hair transplant surgery? Can it really cure baldness?

Hair transplant surgery is a surgical procedure that helps re-grow hair lost through aging, alopecia or hormone-related hair loss. Hair transplant surgery offers a solution to premature balding, hair loss in women and also for people who have lost hair though cancer treatments.

Hair transplant surgery does not 'cure' baldness; it offers patients a solution to overcome baldness.

Essentially hair transplant surgery works by taking a sample of hair from one area of the head/body and transplanting these hair follicles to the area affected by balding. Bald patches appear due to the hair follicles in that area dying; by implanting healthy hair follicles the hair grows according to the natural hair pattern to cover the bald area.

Hair transplantation surgeons have two different methods of hair transplantation toensure the hair growth looks natural and the transplantation is a success: FUT, or follicular unit transplantation transplants a skin graft of hair follicles; FUE, follicular unit transplantation transplants individual hair follicles. The method used depends on the area of scalp affected by the hair loss, the ammount of hair loss and the pre-transplant haistyle the patient wants to achieve.

Both FUE and FUT hair transplantation methods have pros and cons and the method most suitable for individual patients will be determined following a consultation when the surgeon determines the extent and cause of the hair loss.

Success rates from hair transplantation are high - by taking hair follicles from an area of scalp unaffected by pre-surgery hair loss, surgeons can ensure that the transplanted hair does not fall out. It is common immediately post-surgery for patients to think the hair transplant has failed; most patients will experience the transplanted follicles falling out. This is a temporary phase as the follicles settle into the new scalp area and within weeks, newer, stronger hairs grow through.

Hair transplantation is not a cure for balding or alopecia and can only replace hair missing at the time of the transplant. For this reason, patients - particularly patients who have hair transplant surgery at a young age - often have a second or third transplant later as age-related baldness continues. Some patients are able to successfully slow down hair loss through medication. Using state-of-the-art genetic testing, hair transplant surgeons are now able to identify which patients are suitable candidates for hair loss prevention treatments at the same time as the hair transplant is performed.

Hair transplant surgery is highly successful and the popularity of the procedure is growing as treatment becomes less expensive and technology advances. If you are considering hair loss treatment, many of our listed clinics offer free genetic testing included in the transplant cost. For more information, contact one of these clinics.