Hair transplantation is really about relocating (transplanting) the bald resistant hair follicles from the back of the head to the balding areas on the top of the head. This process works for a lifetime because the hair follicles taken from the back of the head are genetically resistant to baldness, regardless of where they are relocated to.

The amount of grafts you will need ultimately depends on your degree of hair loss, now and in the future, and on how full you desire your hair to be. The graft calculator gives you a rough range; the specialist confirms it at the assessment.

Patients are given local anaesthesia in the donor and recipient areas. Most patients find that once the anaesthesia is given they feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure. Afterwards patients typically feel some soreness and numbness with mild discomfort. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how minimal the discomfort is.

A typical session of between 1,500 to 3,000 grafts normally involves a full day at the clinic on an out-patient basis. Most patients arrive in the morning and have their procedure completed by late afternoon.

With today's refined micro hair transplantation procedure the incisions are very small and less invasive than past procedures, which results in more rapid healing. Most patients feel fine within a day or two, although some numbness and mild soreness can be expected for several days.

Immediately afterwards the recipient area is typically pink with scabs forming around the micro incisions, and these heal rapidly within a week to ten days. Most patients feel comfortable being in public without wearing a hat within five to seven days. Once the transplanted hair grows out, the result should look entirely natural even under close examination.

Hair transplantation, when done right, can be so natural that even your hair stylist will not know that you've had it done. But the skill and technique of hair transplant teams varies widely, as do their results. It is important to choose the right procedure and clinic to be sure of a completely natural outcome.