FAQ

The technique mostly applied worldwide is FUE (Follicle Unit Extraction) in which single hair follicles from the occipital and temporal regions of the head are removed and then implanted in the affected region. It is a demanding technique requiring expertise and fine movements from the doctor/surgeon in order to remove the necessary hair follicles without injury as this will affect their survival. The necessary number of hair follicles extracted is proportional to the donor area of the patient and the patient’s needs for a proper coverage of bold areas. The transplanted hair follicles have a long life expectancy (decades) as they come from areas hormonally “immune” to hair loss. The superior results of the FUE technique have established it worldwide in the last 15 years.

An alternative and older technique is FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) or STRIP technique  where the hair follicles are extracted from a strip of skin surgically removed from the occipital region of the head and then transplanted to the affected region. It is a technique reserved for special circumstances or applied in conjunction with FUE.

In the DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) technique the implantation of the extracted follicles (as opposed to the FUE technique) is done with the help of a special surgical instrument (Lion Implanter).

Mostly men but also women suffering mainly from androgenetic alopecia with permanent hair follicle loss from several head regions are good candidates for a hair transplant. There are also other circumstances with a hair loss where the FUE technique has excellent results (scars, eyebrows, beard).

Patients with different medical conditions can have a hair transplant as long  as their medical history is thoroughly revised by the surgeon in cooperation with their GPs or dermatologists  if needed.  “Usual” medical issues (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease) are not contraindications for a hair transplant. Modification of their medical regime (anticlotting drugs) can be adjusted if necessary by the hair transplant surgeon as needed.

Not necessarily. Small to medium (500-1500 grafts) reconstructions of the frontline demand shaving of a small occipital region that can be fast and easily covered in men without complete hair cutting. A proportionally small occipital region is shaved in women that can be easily covered from the hair above it.

This is a point of query for many patients. Hair transplantation is the transplantation of hair follicles only (and not hair). From each hair follicle can grow from 1 to rarely 6 hairs with an average number of 2.3 to 2.8 hair per hair follicle worldwide. If someone consults you with a number of hair needed for a hair transplant ( which is technically incorrect and usually a fraud is concealed) he should mean for every 1000 hairs at least 400 hair follicles (grafts) transplanted.

The surgical consultation before your hair transplant will give you the answer if your donor area(s) is enough for a proper and wishful result.

No. The whole surgical procedure is done under local anesthesia and full contact between the patient and the surgical team during the hair transplant.

The time for a hair transplant depends on the number of the hair follicles needed for a proper result. An average procedure lasts from 5 to 9 hours with brakes included.

The patient’s area affected and the number of grafts needed define the cost of the procedure. Small procedures are definitely more affordable and can start from 500 Euros compared to longer and/or larger procedures where the use of large numbers of hair follicles (grafts) are needed and in some cases 2 procedures.

Serious complications during and after a hair transplant in experienced surgeons are rare or non-existent. Usual and mild complications involve a temporary frontal swelling for 2-3 days, skin redness, donor area itching for a view days, which will all completely resolve.

No. This is the reason why a certain percentage of hair follicles can be removed without a noticeable result in the donor area when the hair of the region regrow. The amount of hair follicles that can safely be removed is defined by the donor area density and the surgeons experience and can be up to several  thousands  grafts without a negative visible impact (receding) on the donor area.

The submandibular and thoracic regions are other potential donor areas for a hair transplant when there is a lack of donor (occipitotemporal) area grafts and large affected areas that have to be transplanted. Familiarity with the techniques and experience of the surgeon are highly important in these conditions.

Already from the first month you will notice the new hair growth which demands several months to complete. At 6 months you have 60-70% of the end growth which is completed after 10-14 months (100%).

A detailed drawing of your hairline (eyebrows, beard) is done in cooperation with your hair transplant surgeon before a hair transplant procedure. Despite this, you can always make changes if you wish so after complete hair growth of your transplanted hair.