Hair transplant

Hair transplantation is a surgical method for treating baldness that involves transferring hair follicles from a donor area (usually the occipital region) to areas affected by thinning or complete hair loss. The procedure utilizes the phenomenon known as donor dominance – hair follicles from the back of the head are genetically resistant to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone responsible for androgenetic alopecia. Hair transplantation is primarily used in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men and women, as well as in the reconstruction of eyebrows, beards, or scars from injuries and surgical procedures. The procedure requires medical qualification, assessment of the degree of hair loss, and realistic planning of the aesthetic outcome.

Hair transplant – what it looks like

The hair transplant procedure is performed under local anesthesia and involves the extraction of follicular units (so-called grafts) followed by their implantation into the recipient area.

Currently, two primary techniques are used:

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) – individual follicular units are extracted using micro-tools (0.7–1.0 mm) without cutting a strip of skin. This method minimizes linear scarring and shortens recovery time.
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) – involves removing a strip of skin from the occipital area, from which grafts are then isolated. This technique allows for the transplantation of a larger number of follicles in one session but leaves a linear scar.

The stages of the procedure include:

Consultation and hairline planning – considering the patient's age, type of baldness, and anticipated progression.
Extraction of hair follicles from the donor area.
Preparation of grafts under a microscope – selection of units with 1–4 hairs.
Creating micro-incisions in the recipient area at the appropriate angle and growth direction.
Implantation of hair follicles maintaining natural density and hairline.

The entire procedure typically lasts 4–8 hours, depending on the number of grafts being transplanted (ranging from several hundred to over 4000). The patient leaves the clinic on the same day.

Hair transplant - how much does it cost

The cost of a hair transplant depends on several key factors:

the number of transplanted grafts,
the technique used (FUE vs FUT),
the experience of the medical team,
the location of the clinic,
the extent of reconstruction (temples, hairline, vertex, entire surface).

In Poland, the cost of the procedure typically ranges between:

approximately 8,000 to 25,000 PLN,
with the unit price being 8–15 PLN per graft (on average).

It should be emphasized that price should not be the only criterion for selection. Key importance should be placed on:

medical qualification,
preserving the donor area for future use,
proper aesthetic planning,
safety and aseptic standards.

Overly aggressive use of the donor area can lead to its permanent thinning and limit the possibilities for further treatment in the future.

Hair transplant - what does the healing process look like

The healing process after a hair transplant occurs in stages and is biologically predictable.

First 7–14 days:

presence of small scabs at the implantation sites,
slight swelling of the forehead or eyelids,
redness of the scalp,
sensation of tightness in the donor area.

The scabs fall off naturally within about 10 days. During this time, gentle washing of the head according to medical instructions is recommended.

2–8 weeks after the procedure:

a phenomenon known as "shock loss" occurs, which is the temporary loss of transplanted hair.

This is a physiological phenomenon—the follicles enter the telogen (resting) phase but remain alive.

3–4 months:

the regrowth of new hair begins.

6–12 months:

an increase in density and maturation of hair structure is observed.

The full aesthetic effect is usually assessed after 12 months. For some patients, the maturation process may take up to 15–18 months.

Is a hair transplant permanent?

The longevity of a hair transplant stems from the biology of hair follicles. Hairs taken from the occipital region are genetically resistant to the effects of DHT, which is why after transplantation they retain this characteristic even in a new location.

This means that:

transplanted hair grows for a lifetime,
it can be cut, dyed, and styled like natural hair,
it does not require additional "preserving" treatments.

However, it is important to distinguish the durability of transplanted hair from the progression of natural baldness. The underlying condition (e.g., androgenetic alopecia) may still progress in non-transplanted areas. For this reason, some patients may require:

medication (e.g., finasteride, minoxidil),
supportive therapies (platelet-rich plasma, mesotherapy),
another procedure in the future.

The final result depends on:

the quality of the donor area,
proper planning,
the experience of the medical team,
the stabilization of the hair loss process.

A properly conducted hair transplant is a method with high effectiveness and predictability of results, provided there is appropriate qualification and realistic expectations from the patient.