How Is a Hair Transplant Performed? From Consultation to Follow-up

Initial consultation: start by defining your goals

Your expectations for the hairline, mid-scalp and crown may differ. Explain which aspect of your appearance concerns you most and how you would like to wear your hair. Photographs can help an initial consultation, but may not be sufficient for a definitive diagnosis or assessment of your individual donor capacity. [1], [3]

The doctor assesses the course of your hair loss, your medical and medication history, and findings on scalp examination. Any additional investigations are selected individually. The same operation is not the solution to every type of hair loss; clarifying the diagnosis makes it easier to discuss the options appropriately. [3]

Planning: available donor resources and the area to cover

Alongside donor density, hair characteristics, miniaturisation and previous harvesting are assessed. The target area and hairline are planned in relation to these resources. The discussion should address the appearance to preserve in the donor area, rather than focusing only on the highest possible number. [1]

By the end of planning, you should understand which area takes priority, the coverage that can reasonably be expected and whether a staged approach is being considered. An initial estimate from photographs should be distinguished from a plan based on an examination. [1] (clinical communication recommendation)

Operation day: preparation and anaesthesia

Your identity, plan, changes in health and consent are reviewed again. Anaesthesia and preparation are tailored to your health. Clarify the clinic’s written instructions instead of stopping medication or arriving fasting on your own initiative. [1], [2]

Local anaesthesia does not eliminate every risk. Report previous problems with anaesthesia and any suspected allergy. This patient information does not provide drug mixtures or dose calculations. [1]

Harvesting and placement are separate stages

FUE describes the extraction of follicular units from the donor area through small circular incisions. The grafts are protected throughout the procedure and placed in the target area. Placement may use forceps or different implanter techniques. [1]

Placement with an implanter pen, often described as DHI, can be combined with FUE harvesting in the same operation. The instrument’s name does not determine the entire result: graft characteristics, design and execution all matter. Ask separately about the harvesting and placement methods. [1] (clinical framework explaining the stages)

What information should you have when you leave?

You should receive written care instructions, a follow-up schedule, warning signs and a reliable contact channel. The planned and actual graft counts and their regional distribution should be clearly distinguished. These are operative records, not a measurement of final hair growth on the day of surgery. [1], [2]

The roles of the doctor and the team at each stage should be clear. Ask about their respective responsibilities in your individual operation plan. Do not leave these questions unanswered before the procedure.

References and access limitations

This article is based on a targeted review of sources; it is not an original systematic review.

1. Mysore V et al. Hair Transplant Practice Guidelines. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2021;14:265–284. DOI: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_104_20. PMID: 34908769.

   Expert practice guideline. Many recommendations reflect expert opinion; the document is not a binding standard for every situation or a statement of Turkish law.

2. Vañó-Galván S et al. An international expert consensus statement focusing on pre and post hair transplantation care. 2023. DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2023.2232065. PMID: 37477225.

   Expert consensus. Assessment was limited to the accessible main text; Table 3 could not be fully evaluated. Support from DUCRAY/Pierre Fabre was reported. Expert recommendations were distinguished from direct clinical trial evidence.

3. Goldin J, Zito PM, Raggio BS. Hair Transplantation. StatPearls. Updated 2 August 2025.

   Clinical educational review. Numerical thresholds were not treated as a universal suitability test; individual assessment is necessary.