Hair Transplant for Men FAQs

You can seek advice from a Trichologist if you are losing hair in its early stages, however for balding areas, a hair transplant is often the most effective solution. The Private Clinic have many years of experience in our specialised FUE technique. All our clinics have CQC registered medical facilities, read about The Private Clinic here. Our reputation is such that we do not take shortcuts, we will only give you honest advice with the results you are looking for.

All of our clinics are heavily regulated and CQC-registered.

CQC (Care Quality Commission) are an independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. It is CQC’s job to ensure that health and social care establishments are providing people/patients/clients/residents with safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care.

Being registered or accredited by the CQC means that the clinic is meeting all of the standards that have been set out by the CQC which are also approved by the government and NHS.

The Private Clinic is fully registered with the Care Quality Commission and since opening our doors in 1983, our clinics nationwide have passed numerous unannounced and announced CQC inspections. We are proud that we have received several commendations for the quality of our high standards. The Private Clinic is always striving for the best in quality and care.

Click here to find out more about the CQC and the key areas that the CQC looks for.

It was estimated that 112,742 hair restoration procedures were performed in Europe in 2021 which is a 5% increase from 2019. There was also a 240% increase in Hair Transplant procedures from 2010 to 2021.*

*Information taken from The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) 2022 Practice Census Results.

A widow’s peak is a v-shaped hairline that is present from childhood. It is genetic and runs in families like having curly hair would. It is not a form of hair loss; widow’s peak hairlines can be very noticeable in some people or more subtle.

Male pattern hair loss or female hair loss to the hairline and front of the scalp can often look like a widow’s peak hairline but they are not related.

If you weren’t born with a widow’s peak and you begin to notice that this v-shaped hairline is starting to appear as your hairline recedes, it is usually a sign that you’re starting to go bald. Our team of hair loss experts will be able to offer advice on how to reduce hair loss.

No hair transplant surgeon should state that a hair transplant procedure has a 100% guarantee – and this stands for all aesthetic surgical procedures not just hair transplants. It is an unreasonable statement to make as every procedure has its own risks and complications which although rare, can still happen. So if a company says anything about having a 98%-100% guarantee you should be wary.

If your hair transplant is unfortunately not successful and you are not happy with your results then a good surgeon will offer to fix any problems for you where possible.

There are many false claims out there so be sure to do your research about not only the procedure, but the surgeon carrying it out and the clinic that the procedure will be carried out in.

Here at The Private Clinic we do not claim any guarantees on our hair transplant procedures. Our team of expert surgeons will let you know of your suitability and will go through all of the risks associated with the procedure. To find out more about the FUE Hair Transplant procedure click here to contact us.

We price by the number of hairs you require for your FUE Hair Transplant procedure. It is approximately £2.50 per hair for standard FUE (follicular unit extraction) procedures.

A 1,600 FUE hair follicle hair transplant would start from £3750. This is based on a fully shaven procedure.

Our expert hair transplant surgeons are able to offer specialised hair transplant techniques that ensure your recovery is minimal. This includes partially shaven hair transplants, unshaven hair transplants and Micro FUE with Implanters. These may incur additional costs which will be discussed during your consultation.

A consultation with our hair transplant surgeons is the best place to get a more accurate quote for your hair transplant procedure. Our surgeons will assess your hair loss and let you know if you are suitable for a procedure before discussing the number of areas and hairs required for treatment. They will also discuss all your hair transplant options and you will leave feeling fully informed.

To find out more or book a consultation click here.

See more about our Hair Transplant costs here:

• The cost of a FUE Hair Transplant in London
• How much does a Hair Transplant cost?

The Hair Loss Problem: Main Causes

A thinning scalp is often caused by something called Androgenetic Alopecia – more commonly referred to as Male Pattern Baldness. 95% of men experience this hereditary condition which occurs when a male hormone causes certain hair follicles to shrink and produce abnormal hair with a shorter life.

Find out more about Hair Loss and what causes it here.

If you are unhappy with a past hair transplant our hair transplant surgeons can help. 30% of our patients are unhappy with hair transplant surgery they have had from overseas or from clinics in the UK. We can help to repair a bad hair transplant result, cover hair transplant scars, or improve an unnatural-looking hairline.

Find out more about Hair Transplant Revision procedures here.

Find out more about FUE Hair Transplants for Scar Repair here.

There are a lot of factors that play a part in making a hair transplant successful. Your suitability for a hair transplant will be made during a consultation where your medical history will be taken, a hair analysis will be carried out and you will be able to discuss what your desired results will be from a hair transplant. At this stage, your highly experienced Hair Transplant surgeon will be able to ensure it is the right procedure for you. To make this decision your surgeon will be looking at your;

1. Age – Although there is not an age limit for a hair transplant, it still plays a role with the best candidates for hair transplants being over 27-30 years old. Many younger patients who are experiencing hair loss can be quick to rush into hair transplant procedures to correct the appearance of balding. However, it is often likely that you will need additional treatment later on in life as your hair loss will continue naturally. At The Private Clinic, we like to wait until patients are a bit older so we can better determine the pattern of baldness to accurately perform the treatment to help counteract further baldness. In the meantime, you may be recommended to have the Tricho Hair Loss DNA test which can help you better understand the underlying factors of hair loss and offer you a personalised treatment plan to help protect and maintain your healthy hair follicles.
2. Donor Area – You must have a good supply of healthy hair follicles available to be transplanted. The donor area is usually the lower back portion of the scalp. At The Private Clinic, one of the most important stages of your consultation is assessing your level of hair loss and the quality and quantity of your donor hair.
3. Type of Hair Loss – The cause of your hair loss will also play a big part in your suitability for a hair transplant. The best candidates are those suffering from male or female pattern baldness as typically only affects certain areas of the scalp, not the entire scalp meaning your donor area is most likely going to be unaffected. Hair loss conditions that affect the entire scalp such as un-patterned alopecia would not have a successful hair transplant. At The Private Clinic, we will only offer hair transplant procedures to those who are suitable as we do not believe in wasting your time or money on a procedure that is not going to give you long-lasting results.
4. Health – To be suitable for a hair transplant you must be in good health medically and through healthy life choices. If you have an underlying health condition it is best to make your surgeon aware.

To better determine your suitability for a hair transplant, contact us to book a hair transplant consultation with one of our expert hair transplant surgeons or knowledgeable patient advisors.

The number of grafts that you require will depend on the size of the area that is being treated. Your surgeon will discuss with you what look you are aiming to achieve and on that basis be able to give you an estimated amount of grafts/follicles that they plan to transplant however this number can change during the procedure.

The total number of grafts used can change during the procedure itself so the exact hair count will then be discussed at the end of your procedure. At The Private Clinic we are able to safely extract 7,000 hairs in one day.

A follicular unit extraction FUE hair transplant involves taking individual hair follicles from the donor part of the scalp and then transplanting them back into areas of the head that are suffering from male pattern baldness.

Donor hair is taken from the back of your head where there is healthy and permanent hair growth. Donor hair from the back of the head is also resistant to DHT which is the most common cause of male pattern baldness. Find out more about DHT here.

When these DHT resistant hair follicles are transplanted into a new area, they still retain this element meaning that the hair will be more likely to survive and stay unless it was genetically meant to fall out.

Hairs that have been transplanted from the back of your head (donor area) are also able to successfully root as they are from your own head. This is why hair transplanted from other areas or even other people will not be possible.

To find out more about our successful hair transplant procedures click here to book an appointment with our specialist hair transplant surgeons.

Patients will be able to see the outline of their new hairline immediately following treatment and the hair will start to grow as normal right away. It is perfectly normal for the transplanted hair to shed again a few weeks after treatment, but after that shedding process it will grow back strong and healthy and will remain permanently. Results will start to be seen about four – six weeks after treatment with full results being seen between six to twelve months.

At The Private Clinic you will be offered a number of follow up procedures where you will be able to meet with your surgeon to discuss the results of your procedure at different stages. During these consultations your surgeon can give you advice on how to continue caring for your newly transplanted hair as well as answer any questions that you may have about your FUE Hair Transplant procedure.

Hair Transplant cost

On average, we price by the number of hairs you require and charge approximately £2.50 per hair for standard FUE(follicular unit extraction) procedures.

Our pricing structure is very transparent.

*These average costs are based on a fully shaven hair transplant procedure. A partially or unshaven FUE Hair Transplant procedure will incur additional costs which will be discussed during a consultation.

On average there are 1 – 5 hairs per graft and most commonly an average of 3000-4000 hair follicles are required meaning the average cost of a Hair Transplant is likely to range between £7,500 and £10,000. *

The Private Clinic sees over 15,000 new patients every year and performs over 10,000 procedures, with one of the highest patients’ satisfaction in the sector, Trustpilot 5-star rating, 98% would recommend us to their friends and family. We are a multi-award winning provider and are finalists for Hair Restoration Clinic and Practitioner of the Year in the Aesthetic Medicine Awards 2023.

Every individual’s needs are different, meaning we treat all our patients on a case-by-case basis. Because of this we can only give an accurate Hair Transplant cost quote following your consultation and scalp assessment. We only transplant the strongest and healthiest hair grafts to ensure you the best results possible. See our before and after photos here.

In fact, 30% of all patients that come to us have been somewhere before and need further work to improve on a disappointing result. This could be a bad FUE or a FUT linear scar needing coverage. Any company that gives you guarantees are offering massive discounts and low hair transplant costs are not giving you honest advice.

A consultation with one of our renowned Hair Transplant Surgeons starts from £100 at our clinics in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

We also offer consultations with our highly experienced Patient Coordinators which cost £35. This cost is redeemable against a Hair Transplant surgeon consultation should you wish to proceed. Patient coordinators are able to offer you all the information you require prior to meeting a surgeon.

The Private Clinic prides itself on ensuring you have the best quality and most comprehensive care:

• Outstanding results, don’t take our word for it, see our Trust Pilot reviews click here.
• 24-hour patient helpline to ensure you are always in the best of hands.
• As many post-operative care and appointments with your Hair Transplant surgeon and nursing team as required.
• Highly experienced Hair Transplant Surgeons.
• Comprehensive patient information, every step of the way.
• Outstanding hospital facilities.
• Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice, and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to a newfound head of hair.

To find out more or to book a consultation click here.

Find out more about Hair Transplant cost in our blogs:

• The cost of a FUE Hair Transplant in London
• How much does a Hair Transplant cost?

Hair loss occurs when hair follicles that have previously produced healthy hairs begin to produce shorter, thinner, more brittle hairs with weaker shafts. This process is known as miniaturisation. Eventually, these follicles produce only fine, almost invisible short hairs, or in the worst case the hairs die out altogether. The most common cause in men is male patterned baldness.

Male patterned baldness is related to three interdependent factors:

1. Genes. A predisposition to hair loss can be passed on by either parent. The common misconception that the genes on the maternal side have a greater impact is not the case. Having the gene does not necessarily mean you will go bald; for example, a man whose father is severely bald may not follow suit, but the chances are higher.

2. Hormones. The hormone directly involved in hair loss is DHT. DHT decreases the length of the growing cycle so that with each new cycle the hair shaft becomes progressively smaller.

3. Age. Genes and hormones are not enough by themselves to cause baldness. Hair loss occurs when the susceptible follicles are exposed to DHT over a period of time. However, the age at which this process starts differs from person to person.

At The Private Clinic we have a team of expert hair transplant surgeons and trichologists who will be able determine the cause of your hair loss and offer you the best treatment to help restore a natural hair line or decrease the appearance of balding.

We are also able to offer patients suffering from hair loss the Fagron Tricho Hair Loss DNA test which can help you to understand how genetics are affecting your hair loss and come up with a personalised treatment plan to help preserve your healthy hair follicles.

The most common type of baldness is male pattern baldness, which occurs in stages. However, there is no definite time line for how this type of baldness progresses. You may notice that your hair has begun to thin quite noticeably in a short space of time, and then you might stay at that level of baldness for a long time before the next stage becomes obvious.

The best way of assessing how much hair you have lost and how rapidly you are losing it is by comparing photographs of you now to photos taken a few years ago.

The Norwood Hamilton classification is an internationally recognised method of plotting the stages of hair loss in men. Below is a simplified version of the Norwood hamilton scale classification:

• STAGE 1 – The first tell-tale sign of the onset of Male Pattern Baldness is the frontal recessions in the hairline.
• STAGE 2 – Over time these recessions become larger and much more noticeable, and the hairline moves further back.
• STAGE 3 – At the same time as the recessions taking place, a thinning area may also appear on the crown and will gradually increase in size.
• STAGE 4 – The final stage of Male Pattern Baldness is when the hair is lost completely from the crown and frontal region, leaving the familiar horse shoe shape.

We understand the stress and anxiety that male pattern baldness can cause and our team of expert surgeons here at The Private Clinic are highly experienced in diagnosing and treating male pattern baldness to help restore hair loss.

The ‘Norwood Scale’, also known as the ‘Norwood Hamilton Scale’ is a tool used by hair transplant surgeons to measure the severity of your hair loss.

The Norwood Scale originated from Dr James Hamilton in the 1950s before it was modified by Dr O’Tar Norwood in the 1970s. The scale visually shows the variety of male pattern baldness patterns and the stages of progression.

• Stage 1 – No significant hair loss.
• Stage 2 – Slight recession of the hairline that is often referred to as an adult/mature hairline.
• Stage 3 – The first stage of significant balding, most common in the temples.
• Stage 4 – A more severe recession compared to stage 3, the hair on the top of the scalp may be sparse.
• Stage 5 – A larger area of hair loss the area between the receding hair line and top of the head is often very narrow.
• Stage 6 – Balding from the front to the top of the head.
• Stage 7 – The most severe stage of hair loss with only a band of hair remaining around the back and side of the scalp.

Click here for more information about assessing your hair loss with the Norwood Scale.

Our expert hair transplant surgeons at The Private Clinic will use the Norwood Scale to determine your stage of male pattern baldness to accurately decide on how effective a hair transplant will be for you. Book in for a consultation to find out more.

It is important that you are upfront and honest about any pre-existing medical conditions with your surgeon. It will then be down to the surgeon’s discretion to decide if you are suitable or not.

To make an appointment to assess your suitability for an FUE Hair Transplant click here to book an appointment with one of our expert surgeons.

It is possible for those with needle phobias to have a FUE hair transplant procedure. It is important that you let your surgeon know so they can put precautions in place to ensure that any needles are kept out of view during your procedure. Our hair transplant surgeons at The Private Clinic are very experienced in dealing with patients with needle phobias to help make the hair transplant procedure as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Donor hair for hair transplant procedures is often only taken from 1 area of the scalp which is the lower back portion of hair. At The Private Clinic we choose to only take donor hair from this area as the hair at the lower part of the scalp is not affected by DHT and no hair loss tends to occur from this area making the hair follicles being transplanted the best quality.

The lifespan of your donor hair during your lifetime is limited. Our expert hair transplant surgeons will always ensure that they use the best strategy to make sure that your donor hair is used in the best way. This is how we ensure patients gain the best possible results and we make sure to educate you regarding the potential for future hair loss. To find out more about Hair Transplants at The Private Clinic click here.

A Hair Transplant is not like an organ transplant meaning unfortunately you will not be able to use hair from another person. Donor hair can only be taken from your own head as your body will reject foreign hair unless you can commit to taking additional medication for the remainder of your life to ensure they remain in place.

Anti-rejection drugs can have a lot of potential side effects and long term risks and are often not easily prescribed to patients unless they have a severe medical need.

At The Private Clinic we do not perform hair transplant procedures from donor hair that is not from your own scalp. To find out if your donor hair is suitable for a hair transplant book in for a consultation with one of our expert hair transplant surgeons.

In some cases donor hair can be taken from other areas of your own body such as the chest or back if the hair on the back or side of your scalp is not suitable.

All Hair Transplant procedures at The Private Clinic are performed in our own clinics. There is no need to travel to a hospital and the procedure will be carried out at the clinic where you had your consultation at or another one of our clinics nearby.

Our clinics are in;

• London – 98 Harley street, W1G 7HZ
• Manchester – 25 St John Street, M3 4DT
• Birmingham – 88 Hagley Road, B16 8LU – West Midlands
• Leeds – 45 Park Square North, LS1 2NP – Yorkshire

Our clinics are all CQC qualified with our expert hair transplant surgeons working within our dedicated hair transplant theatre rooms.

Hair Transplant consultations are also available at our clinics in;

• Northampton – 82 Billing Road, NN1 5DF – East Midlands

Book in for a hair transplant consultation to see where your hair transplant procedure could take place.

On a standard FUE Hair transplant procedure you will be required to shave the donor area in the back and the sides and you will also need to be shaven in the treatment area. The majority of our FUE Hair Transplant patients at The Private Clinic do shave their entire head but in cases where patients are not keen we can either suggest hair styles or effective ways to cover the shaved areas post treatment or in some cases you may be suitable for a Partly Shaven or Unshaven FUE Hair Transplant.

Unshaven FUE Hair Transplants are a delicate procedure that requires a huge amount of technical skill. The Private Clinic have spent many years perfecting the Unshaven FUE Hair Transplant method, and we understand what makes a suitable candidate for the best results.

To find out more book in for a hair transplant consultation here.

An FUE Hair Transplant procedure is not painful. At The Private Clinic, we use local anaesthetic to numb the area before the treatment starts. The anaesthetic injection may sting slightly initially, but after a few minutes, you will not feel any pain for the rest of the procedure. Patients describe an odd feeling during the procedure as you may be able to sense the surgeon working on your scalp and a slight rubbing sensation, but it is all definitely bearable and some patients even find themselves falling asleep during the procedure.

Post-procedure you may start to feel a little discomfort in the hours after the procedure as the local anaesthetic begins to wear off, but this is easily managed with painkillers. Any post-procedure discomfort should not last longer than a few days and you will be fine to return to work within a week once the redness and initial swelling has subsided.

We aim to provide all of our patients with outstanding care during their time spent here at The Private Clinic and making you feel comfortable and relaxed leading up to and during any procedure is our priority.

An FUE Hair Transplant procedure is designed to be a standalone procedure providing you with results that should last a significant amount of time. This does vary slightly from patient to patient, however, and will depend on your level of hair loss and desired outcome.

Many patients may require a second hair transplant procedure to target additional hair loss that has occurred since their first procedure but it can also help to increase the density of hair in the newly transplanted area, refine the hair line or increase the coverage of hair overall.

At The Private Clinic, we always take the time before any hair transplant procedure to assess your level of hair loss and create a personalised treatment plan which not only aims to give you the results that you desire but protects your donor area too.

We recommend waiting at least a year before considering a second hair transplant procedure which will allow for your new hair follicles to grow and increase in density allowing your surgeon to get an idea of how they are going to sit to be able to make a more informed decision about where to place any additional grafts.

When you have a hair transplant procedure at The Private Clinic you will be with us for the majority of the day. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and most importantly a wide neck top or button up shirt as this will make it easier to remove post-treatment without rubbing against the newly transplanted hair follicles.

You will receive information on how to prepare for your Hair Transplant procedure ahead of your procedure at The Private Clinic.

You can bring a tablet, laptop or your phone with music/movies on to keep you entertained throughout the day. At The Private Clinic, we have televisions in most of our theatres but we find patients prefer to bring their own devices so they can have easier control of their viewing. It is actually not uncommon for patients to fall asleep during the procedure.

You are not required to fast before a hair transplant procedure at The Private Clinic as the procedure will be carried out under local anaesthetic. When using local anaesthetic we do not fast patients as it is preferred that the patient has food in their stomach. Having a full stomach means that the anaesthetic last longer and often doesn’t need an excessive amount. Large amounts of local anaesthetic can cause additional swelling post-procedure which we always try to avoid here at The Private Clinic.

Your hair transplant procedure will start in the morning so we do recommend that you eat a substantial breakfast before arriving that will last you through until the afternoon. Once your surgeon has completed the extraction stage of the procedure, you will have a break which tends to be in the afternoon. During this break, you will be able to stretch your legs, visit the bathroom and have something to eat – which we encourage.

At The Private Clinic, we will provide lunch, snacks and drinks throughout the procedure. Please be sure to let your patient coordinator know of any dietary requirements so we can cater for you appropriately on the day, our priority is making you feel comfortable, relaxed and well-catered for on the day of your Hair Transplant procedure at all times.

An FUE Hair Transplant procedure is a lengthy and delicate process which requires a substantial amount of time to ensure that you are receiving the best results. The total length of time of hair transplant treatments will depend on the number of hairs that are being transplanted. At The Private Clinic, the majority of our hair transplant procedures are performed over the course of a day (6-8 hours).

In some cases the hair transplant procedure may need to be performed across two days, this is when a very large number of hairs are being transplanted and it would be more comfortable for the patient to perform it in two stages rather than one. Having a larger amount of time between the two procedures does not impact the effectiveness of the procedure and hair transplant procedures have been performed in this way many times with excellent results.

At The Private Clinic, we do not rush our Hair Transplant procedures and our experienced surgeons take as long as they need to ensure the procedure is performed with precision and excellence. To see what happens on the day of your hair transplant procedure take a look at our hair transplant videos here.

At The Private Clinic, the majority of our FUE Hair Transplant procedures are performed as day case procedures which means you will be free to leave once your procedure is over and recover in the comforts of your own home.

If your hair transplant procedure is taking place over two days, then it would be required that you stay nearby. The Private Clinic works in partnership with hotels that are close to our clinics, and we will be able to provide details of these and many may be able to offer a discounted rate for staying with them.

At The Private Clinic, our aim is to provide you with long-lasting and natural-looking results. Getting a natural hair transplant result relies mostly on the experience of your surgeon as well as the overall quality of your donor’s hair.

We pride ourselves on being able to offer you FUE Hair Transplant doctors who have perfected their techniques to ensure patients receive natural results.

Research into hair growth has revealed that natural scalp hairs grow in small groupings so our highly skilled team of hair surgeons use micro surgical needles to insert individual hair follicles at angles and densities that match the patient’s natural existing hair growth. This ensures that when the new hair follicles begin to grow they will mimic the characteristics of the surrounding hair follicles.

To see photos of our natural FUE Hair Transplant results, see our before and after photo gallery.

After a FUE Hair Transplant, you are likely to experience redness on the scalp in both the donor area and recipient area which will remain for at least 7 days. This is a very common side effect but can take up to 14 days to fully subside and in some cases a little longer. The redness is similar to the appearance of sunburn and occurs due to the presence of newly formed blood vessels and just the general inflammation from the surgical procedure.

Our experienced hair transplantation surgeons here at The Private Clinic will talk you through the side effects and your aftercare instructions. They will also be able to recommend ways to help reduce or disguise the redness following hair restoration surgery.

Taking proper care of your newly transplanted hair is a really important stage of your FUE Hair Transplant procedure. At The Private Clinic, we provide all of our hair transplant patients with an aftercare program that will include a course of antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection and specialist topical treatments along with detailed instructions on how to look after your newly transplanted hair.

Over the first three days following your procedure, we advise that you avoid touching the new hair graphs this includes with your fingers, nails, a comb, hat or helmet. At The Private Clinic, you are provided with a spray-on solution that needs to be sprayed over the scalp every half hour ideally for the first three days. The spray will help to prevent the formation of scabs and keep your new hair follicles well hydrated. You will have also been given medication to go home with and it is important that you take these as prescribed on a regular basis.

You will also be given a series of post-op appointments where your surgeon will be able to take a look at your results and give you any additional information on how to care for your new hair follicles.

FUE Hair Transplant surgery is a very safe procedure that is performed regularly at The Private Clinic without any significant complications. Of course with any type of surgery or procedure there are risks and side effects such as; infection, swelling, bleeding, numbness, scarring, itching and loss of grafts.

As the placement incisions are so small, the risk of post-operative infection is very low. You will likely experience some redness and maybe some slight swelling in the treatment area immediately after treatment, but this will subside after two to four days.

You may experience some bleeding post-procedure and we advise keeping your head elevated and placing gauze over the area with applied pressure. Temporary numbness is common and can last for 3 to 18 weeks it does not usually affect you too much and it is very rare for it to be permanent.

At The Private Clinic, we like you to be as informed as possible about your procedure so a full list of complications, side effects and risks will be discussed at your consultation with your expert surgeon to ensure that you are well aware and understand the procedure fully before going ahead with hair transplant surgery.

The scarring left after a FUE Hair Transplant (follicular unit extraction) is minimal compared to the scar left after a FUT Hair Transplant (follicular unit transplantation).

The only time that you would really notice any scarring at the back of your head would be if you were to shave your donor area of hair very short. Upon shaving you may notice some very small circular scars that may appear as little white dots. If you are not planning on keeping your hair short (0 length) then these will not be noticeable.

FUE Hair Transplant recovery and no visible, linear scarring:

FUT Strip recovery and scarring:

Although shock loss is rare, it is important to be aware of this side effect / risk before undergoing your hair transplant procedure. Shock loss is when your natural (non-transplanted) hairs are shocked from the trauma of the procedure and fall out.

The hairs that are shed will usually re-grow so it is often just a temporary phenomenon. The risk of shock loss is very low and is more common in women and large hair transplant procedures compared to smaller cases.

Your surgeon will be able to talk you through the risks and side effects of a hair transplant in more detail at your consultation.

Hair Transplant surgeons at The Private Clinic are very experienced in dealing with episodes of shock loss and will explain the rare phenomenon to you in detail at your FUE Hair Transplant consultation. Click here to book a consultation.

The results of a successful FUE Hair Transplant should last you for decades. This is largely because the donor hair being used is resistant to male pattern baldness and they will retain this characteristic even when transplanted into the recipient areas. This is where the experience of the surgeon is crucial, as they need to have the skills and experience to foresee potential future hair loss patterns.

It is important to note however that untreated areas of your scalp may still be prone to male pattern baldness and so over time balding and thinning may occur again in these areas which could result in another hair transplant procedure being carried out.

At The Private Clinic we take the time to assess your suitability for an FUE Hair Transplant in full detail taking great consideration of your age, grade of baldness, family history of hair loss, medical history and the quality of your donor as all of these factors will determine how successful your hair transplant is and how long it is likely to last for. To book your FUE Hair Transplant consultation click here.

We recommend that you take a week off work to recover in full from your FUE Hair Transplant procedure however many patients have been known to return to work a couple of days post-op whereas others have taken a full 2 weeks off.

The amount of time you take off work will depend on your job, your responsibilities and if you are happy for your colleagues to know about your procedure or not.

The side effects from a Hair Transplant include your scalp being red for a few days post-procedure. You will also need to take medication and spray a topical solution on the treated areas on a regular basis.

Find out more about the aftercare following a hair transplant procedure here.

We would advise that you rest for at least a week before travelling anywhere on holiday.

When on holiday you must take great care not to expose your head to strong sunlight or rain for at least two weeks post procedure as this could damage the hair follicles.

In order to achieve the best result it is really important that you follow all of the care instructions given to you.

You should not be exposing your head to direct sunlight, or even rain for the first 14 days after your procedure. A hat should be worn especially when going out in direct sunlight to ensure you do not get sunburn on your head for 2 months post-procedure.

Post-operative care when having a FUE Hair Transplant is vital to ensure that you are promoting new hair growth as effectively as possible. If you are thinking about having a hair transplant contact us to find out more.

We recommend that you avoid swimming for at least 14 days after your procedure but this will depend on how strenuous your swimming activity will be, and the type of water that you will be swimming in. When swimming in salt water you should wait until any scabs have fully healed and of course, protect your scalp from excessive sun exposure. If you are swimming in chlorinated water then we recommend being a bit more cautious and waiting anywhere from 2 weeks to a month as the chlorine has the potential to damage any unhealed hair grafts so waiting until they are fully healed will reduce this risk

Post-operative care when having a FUE Hair Transplant is vital to ensure that you are promoting new hair growth as effectively as possible. If you are thinking about having a hair transplant contact us to find out more.

Many patients use hats to help cover up the signs that they have had a hair transplant but we do advise being cautious when it comes to wearing one so soon after you have had the procedure. Surgeon’s recommendations may vary on this topic but overall we generally recommend waiting 7-10 days before wearing a hat to avoid the risk of damaging any of the hair follicles.

In the early stages, the hat must be placed carefully on your head and if you feel any tightness, rubbing or general uncomfortableness then it is best to remove it as soon as possible. You should try and look for a hat that is slightly looser and sits as wide as possible around the head, if a hat is too tight it may stick to the follicles and cause unnecessary damage.

It is also best to only wear a hat when necessary, wearing them for extended periods of time at this early stage may cause increased sensitivity as your scalp will still be delicate from the procedure.

Helmets should be avoided for 2-3 weeks.

The team here at The Private Clinic will provide you with all the necessary information that you need to care for your new hair follicles after your FUE Hair Transplant procedure. We are always on hand to answer any additional questions about each stage of the procedure. If you are thinking about having a hair transplant contact us to find out more.

Alcohol should be avoided ideally for a week before and after your FUE Hair Transplant procedure. Alcohol consumption thins your blood which can cause more bleeding during the procedure. Alcohol can also constrict the blood flow which can delay healing after a hair transplant and alcohol should not be mixed with the medication that you take post-procedure.

At The Private Clinic your surgeon will go through all of the aftercare dos and don’ts. Post-operative care when having a FUE Hair Transplant is vital to ensure that you are promoting new hair growth as effectively as possible. If you are thinking about having a hair transplant contact us to find out more.