Hair Transplant FAQs

Below you will find the answers to many of the questions that we are frequently asked about male hair loss, female hair loss, what causes hair loss, what are the best hair restoration treatments, what are FUE hair transplants and so on. If you cannot find what you’re looking for, then please do not hesitate to get in contact and we can answer your question personally.

Hair Loss

What causes male hair loss / baldness?

Male hair loss is relatively common and will happen at some stage in most men’s lives. Normally, hair grows from a follicle for 2-6 years, after which it sheds and a new hair grows in its place. If this cycle is interrupted, male baldness begins to set in. The main cause of male hair loss in through a genetic condition where the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) attacks the hair follicles, causing them to shrink, what’s known as male pattern baldness.

What causes female hair loss / baldness?

There are a number of reasons for female hair loss, including aging, changes in the levels of androgens (male hormones) e.g. after reaching menopause, family history of male or female pattern hair loss. Hair loss can also be a result of extreme physical or mental stress, surgery, diet, illness and a thinning of hair after giving birth. Learn more about eyebrow transplants and hair transplants for Women.

Hair Loss Treatment

Do I need a hair transplant?

Each individual is different, so if you are displaying the signs of female or male pattern baldness, or due to any other causes of hair loss, please do get in contact to book a free consultation at either our Kent, Manchester, Cardiff, Newcastle or Birmingham locations, for us to assess your needs and whether you require a hair transplant.

Are hair transplants just for your head?

No, FUE transplants are suitable for facial hair transplants too, including beard, sideburns, moustache and eyebrow transplants in the case of facial hair loss in both men and women. We assess this on a case by case basis.

How much do hair transplants cost?

How much does a FUE hair transplant cost?

The cost of a FUE transplant is dependent on the amount and nature of the work that is required and is calculated on an individual basis. Contact us for more information or to book a free consultation to discuss your needs.

The FUE Transplant Process

What is a FUE Transplant?

A FUE hair transplant (Follicular Unit Extraction) is a minimally invasive non-surgical hair replacement procedure that harvests hair from anywhere on your body by removing each root individually and transplanting it into your scalp. This is done follicle by follicle and in the direction of the hair growth in order to provide a naturally looking hairline and help regrow hair. The follicles are chosen according to their density, and inserted into the hairless parts of your scalp.

What are the side effects of the hair transplant?

In the donor area, small scratches (less than 1mm diameter) occur and will heal within a few days, leaving minimal scarring.

How long does a transplant take?

As a FUE transplant is non-surgical hair replacement procedure, resting periods between sessions are minimised, and most treatments are completed within a day.

Where is the procedure performed?

The procedure will be performed at one of our hair loss clinics in Kent or Manchester by one of our highly skilled hair loss specialists – always overseen by our Director of Surgical Services, no time in hospital is required.

Will I have to cut my hair short?

In the majority of cases we will cut the hair short to begin on an even surface, however in certain cases we can carry out hair transplants without cutting the hair beforehand. We would asses this on a client by client basis.

Is the procedure painful?

We use local anaesthetic ahead of the FUE treatment, so while the initial injections may hurt a little (no more than a normal injection), the rest of the procedure is relatively painless.

The Recovery Phase

How long before I see results?

Your hair will go through a shedding period initially for around 3-6 weeks after your hair loss treatment, which is completely normal. 2 to 4 months after this, you will start to regrow hair, with the half way stage around 6 months after the FUE treatment. The final result can take over a year to be achieved. Take a look at some of our hair transplant before and after shots.

Why has my hair got thin again?

It is completely normal for your hair to shed before it begins the process of growing. This process happens around 3-6 weeks after your hair loss treatment.

When can I go back to work?

We would recommend taking a week off of work to recover from the procedure, with the scalp healing after around 7 days.

What after care is required?

The after care will depend on the individual and the nature of the procedure. We will discuss your personalised after care plan with you during the procedure.

Can I go swimming after my FUE transplant?

We advise that you don’t go swimming for 14 days after your hair transplant. Most swimming pools contain chlorine which should not come into contact with the scalp.

How long before I can sunbathe?

Though we recommend you rest after the procedure, we advise you to avoid exposing your head to strong sunlight or rain for 14 days after the procedure. Up to 2 months after the treatment you will need to take measures to avoid sunburn on the scalp.

When can I wear a hat?

Unless necessary, we recommend you not to wear a hat, but if necessary it should be a snapback style hat something that sit’s off of the transplanted area. When putting the hat on put it on from the front to back and removing the hat remove from back to front, in the aim for it to never touch the transplanted area.

Can I wear my motorbike helmet?

We advise you to not wear any protective helmets (including motorcycle, cycle or ski helmets) for 7 days after having the treatment.

When can I drink alcohol again?

We recommend you to avoid consuming alcohol for 7 days after your hair loss treatment/procedure.