Published by Dr. Lasi's Skin & Hair Clinic
A hair transplant can restore hair to areas that have thinned or gone bald, but it is surgery, and good results depend on careful selection and planning. This article explains who is likely to benefit from Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and what the months after surgery look like.
How FUE works
In FUE, individual follicular units, small natural groups of one to four hairs, are taken one at a time from the donor area, usually the back and sides of the scalp, using a fine punch. They are then placed into tiny openings in the thinning area. Hair at the back of the scalp is naturally resistant to pattern hair loss, so transplanted hair usually continues to grow in its new place.
Who is a good candidate?
- Men and women with stable pattern hair loss
- People with enough healthy donor hair at the back and sides
- Those with realistic expectations about density
- People in good general health
- Selected cases of scar-related hair loss and eyebrow or beard restoration
Who may not be suitable yet?
- Very young people with rapidly progressing hair loss, as future loss is hard to predict
- People with diffuse thinning all over, including the donor area
- Those with active scalp disease, alopecia areata or hair pulling
- People whose hair loss has not been assessed for treatable causes such as thyroid problems, anaemia or recent illness
- Anyone with uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding problems or certain heart conditions, until cleared by their doctor
A transplant moves hair; it does not stop future hair loss. Most people are advised to continue medical treatment for hair loss to protect their existing hair.
What happens on the day
- The hairline and recipient area are planned and marked
- The donor area is trimmed and numbed with local anaesthetic
- Grafts are extracted and kept in a suitable solution
- The recipient area is numbed, and grafts are placed at the correct angle and direction
- The procedure usually takes several hours, depending on the number of grafts
Recovery timeline
Days 1 to 3
Mild swelling of the forehead and some tenderness are common. You will be given instructions on sleeping position, medicines and how to protect the grafts.
Days 4 to 10
Gentle washing begins as advised. Small crusts around grafts gradually fall off. Most people return to desk work within a few days to a week.
Weeks 2 to 8
Many transplanted hairs shed. This is normal and expected: the follicles stay under the skin and rest before regrowing.
Months 3 to 6
New hairs start growing, initially fine and gradually thickening.
Months 9 to 12 and beyond
Most of the result is visible by about 12 months. The crown may take up to 18 months.
Possible side effects
- Swelling, mild pain and temporary numbness
- Small red spots, crusts and itching
- Inflamed follicles or pimples in the treated area
- Temporary shedding of nearby existing hair
- Rarely, infection or poor graft growth
Choosing where to have it done
Ask who examines you, who plans the hairline and who performs each step. At Dr. Lasi's, hair transplantation is planned and performed under the care of Dr. Lasida Ali, a dermatologist trained in hair restoration.
Find out whether FUE suits you. Book an appointment or call +91 81398 82226.
This article is for general information. For advice about your own skin or hair, please book a consultation.