How Does a Hair Transplant Work?
Are you curious about how a hair transplant works? Discover the step-by-step process, techniques, recovery, and results with Hair Restoration Doctors in Sydney.
Introduction
Hair loss can be frustrating and deeply personal. Many of our patients tell us they’ve tried every product and treatment without lasting results. That’s why the question we hear most often is: “How does a hair transplant actually work?” Surgical technology & techniques have definitely advanced over the years & we like to make sure we are at the cutting edge. At Hair Restoration Doctors (HRD), every procedure is performed by a qualified doctor using the latest technology to achieve natural, long-term results.
What Is a Hair Transplant?
A hair transplant is a medical procedure where healthy, DHT resistant hair follicles are taken from the “donor area” (usually the back or sides of the scalp) and carefully implanted into thinning or balding areas.
Think of it like landscaping, if you take a rose bush from the back yard, create a space in the front yard, and replant it there, it won’t grow back in the original spot, but it will flourish in its new location. Hair follicles behave the same way. Once transplanted, they establish themselves and continue to grow just like normal hair.
This makes it very different from temporary solutions like wigs, concealers, or topical products, it’s a permanent and in some sense, natural restorative solution.
Types of Hair Transplant
There are 2 types of extraction, then 3 types of implantation. There have been many innovations in each subtype.
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT or Strip Procedure)
- A thin strip of scalp is removed from the donor area.
- Hair follicles are carefully separated under a microscope.
- These follicles are then transplanted into the balding areas.
- Best for: Female patients or combined with FUE for very large number of grafts
- Follicular unit extraction (FUE)
- This is the most modern technique which has received the most innovation in the last 10 years, with newer microsurgical drills, oscillation rather than rotation, small punches and unique designs to optimise survival and minimise scarring.
- Individual follicles are meticulously drilled or extracted from their roots directly from the donor area using tiny punches.
- The follicles are then divided carefully under magnification into 1’s, 2’s & 3’s
- Varying implantation techniques
- Forceps
- The traditional method of implanting, faster, long history, mild graft trauma
- Incisions are made and grafts are placed into them
- DHI (Direct hair implantation)
- A new method which has gained popularity, involving using sharp pen implanters
- No incisions, sharp implanters penetrate the skin and implant simultaneously
- Hybrid DHI with dull implanters
- Newest innovation and our personal favourite, incisions are made and implanters used to carefully place grafts into them, protecting grafts albeit having the benefit of premade incisions in detail and density.
Recovery and Results
- Most patents return to work within a few days, depending on the method used. While some mild redness and swelling may occur, it typically resolves quickly.
- New hair growth usually becomes noticeable after 3–4 months, with full results visible after 9–12 months. The outcome is permanent, as transplanted follicles continue to grow like normal hair. Pre-existing hair remains susceptible to DHT and hair loss, which is why medication remains important
Benefits of Hair Transplants
- Personalised approach targeting specific areas of concern
- Natural-looking hairline – designed & placed to match your facial structure, facial muscles & unique growth pattern.
- Long term solution – transplanted follicles keep growing for life.
- Subjective improvement in self image & confidence for patients who value it
- Low maintenance – once regrown, your transplanted hair can be washed, styled, and cut like normal.
At HRD, we combine medical expertise with the latest technology to deliver results that are both natural and long-lasting.
Final Thoughts
So, how does a hair transplant work? By relocating your own healthy follicles into thinning areas, the procedure restores not only hair growth but also self-confidence.
At Hair Restoration Doctors, every transplant is performed by a skilled doctor using advanced Micro-FUE techniques to ensure safety, precision, and natural results.
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