About the Procedure

What am I doing while my treatment is taking place?

You may watch TV, listen to music or engage in conversation. Each treatment room is equipped with a TV, DVD, MP3 and CD Player.

How many grafts are placed at each session?

During your consultation the total number of grafts necessary will be estimated. The number of grafts placed at each session may vary. This depends on the extent of baldness and your available donor hair.

Does it hurt?

The great majority of our patients are quite comfortable both during and after their hair transplantation procedure. Occasionally a patient says he / she had some pain. You will be given pain killers for use after the procedure should they be required. Many of our patients find that they do not need to take any pain killers at all.

How is this surgical procedure performed?

Hair transplantation is a minor surgical operation which requires only local anaesthetic. There is initially some discomfort associated with the administration of the local anaesthetic. This is of very short duration. We have developed techniques to reduce this discomfort, and most patients tolerate this brief period very well.

The donor area (the back or sides of the scalp) as well as the recipient area (the bald or thinning area) are made numb with the local anaesthetic. Nowadays large grafts have been completely replaced by smaller grafts (follicular units). These smaller grafts produce a much more natural transition from thinning or baldness to increased hair growth. In most cases where very small grafts are used, the surgery can be accomplished almost without detection.

What is the procedure for small grafts?

For an FUT procedure, having calculated the amount of donor hair required, the hair to be transplanted is trimmed close to the scalp. The desired amount of donor skin and hair are then removed. This donor site is then stitched usually resulting in a fine scar which is covered by your existing hair. The scar is usually only detectable on close inspection. The donor hair-bearing skin is then dissected, using high-powered microscopes, into very small pieces. The slivers are then divided into individual hair follicles. All of this work is done using the microscope. These grafts are then carefully inserted into small openings made in the recipient area.

How long does the surgery take?

At HRBR we have a team of 18 nurses and technicians who are highly skilled in these techniques. Most operations take between 6 and 8 hours. This is exacting work and, therefore, requires considerable time.

What type of preparation is required prior to hair transplant surgery?

Detailed pre-operative instructions are forwarded to each patient prior to the surgery date. Patients also complete a Consent for Surgery form. We also highly recommend scalp massage pre surgery.

What is the time interval between hair transplant sessions?

Minimum time intervals will depend upon individual circumstances. Usually 6 months is allowed between sessions at the same recipient site to allow the transplanted hair to grow out. This is so it will not be damaged when making the new incisions at subsequent sessions. There is no maximum interval between sessions.

Watch How does a hair transplant work?

Watch How soon will I see a result?

Watch Will I need a general anaesthetic?

Watch Will it hurt?