Hair Replacement

What is the procedure?

Hair replacement treatments, or hair transplants, have been carried out for around 30 years. The procedure involves taking hair in 'skin plugs' from the patient's 'donor area', which is generally around the back or sides of the head, and transplanting that hair to the area where it is needed. Surgery can range from 'micro-grafts', where only a small area is treated, through to entire areas of the head receiving a transplant.

Who is it meant for?

The procedure is certainly more popular with males, though around 20 per cent of women experience a thinning of their hair at some point in their lives. Men, however, are normally better suited to this type of surgery because they tend to lose hair in specific areas of the head, whereas women are more likely to experience thinning hair over the entire scalp and are therefore less likely to have a suitable donor area.

Benefits and risks

As with any cosmetic surgery, there is a small risk of infection involved with hair replacement. There is also a likelihood of scarring, though this can normally be hidden by the replacement hair! There is also a risk that some - or even all - of the grafts will not settle because the skin-plug dies. In this case, the surgery will need to be repeated. Some patients report that the scalp is left with a 'bumpy' feel; this can, however, be hidden or camouflaged by the patient's hair. There is also a risk that the patient's expectations will exceed the actual results, and some opt for additional treatment to further improve their appearance.

Price range

£3,000 to £7,500