Hair Transplant Procedure Step Guide: What Happens Before, During, and After Surgery

by Dr Tyng Tan Aesthetics and Hair Clinic

Dr Tyng Tan - Hair Transplant Procedure Guide in Singapore

Have you ever wondered if there was a way to turn back the clock and restore your hairline? Accepting that your once thick and beautiful locks have grown thin or stopped growing altogether can be challenging. But there is still hope! Hair transplant surgery has been around for decades and continues to develop as an effective way to prevent, stop, or reverse baldness.

Whether male or female, young or old, a hair transplant procedure can help you regain confidence in your appearance and enjoy a fuller head of hair. But before you make any decisions, you must understand the process and the steps involved.

In this blog, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to give you everything you need to know about how a hair transplant works, from the initial consultation through post-operative care and maintenance. Read on as we explore this transformative solution to anti-ageing.

Book a consultation with Dr Tyng Tan today.

What is a hair transplant procedure?

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that takes hair from one part of the scalp and transplants it to balding areas. The process is performed using Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Both methods involve removing hair follicles from the donor area and transplanting them to the recipient area.

In a nutshell, the procedure aims to restore hair growth in the bald or thinning area, creating a more natural-looking hairline. Hair transplants may also help with permanent hair loss caused by male pattern baldness and alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that attacks hair follicles. It can also help manage hair loss caused by medical conditions such as thyroid disease and hormonal imbalances.

Dr. Tan Tyng Yuan – BSc (Hons), MBBS (London), Grad. Dip. Dermatology (UK),
Dip. AAAM (USA), Grad. Fellow in ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery)

Hair transplant procedure step-guide

Receiving a hair transplant involves a process that will not happen overnight. You will have to go through many doctor visits before and after the procedure to ensure you get the hair growth you want. Read on to know the various steps you’ll expect before, during and after getting a hair transplant.

Before the surgery

Consultation. The first step in a hair transplant is to schedule a talk with your hair transplant surgeon. During the meeting, you can ask the doctor all your concerns about the surgery. Your surgeon will also evaluate the severity of your hair loss and discuss the goals for the procedure. Furthermore, essential details will be asked from you, such as your medical history, surgical history, and even your allergies.

Medical evaluation. After the initial consultation, you will undergo a medical assessment to ascertain that you’re a good candidate for the procedure. The surgeon may request blood work and other medical examinations. These tests will tell the doctor if you’re healthy enough to undergo surgery. Also, it will help the surgeon evaluate your overall health status to prevent untoward side effects.

Price and financing. Aside from what to expect from the procedure, the doctor will also discuss the cost and financing options, if necessary.

Medicines to avoid. Before the surgery, the doctor will list everything you should avoid. For instance, you’re not allowed to take blood thinners like aspirin. Also, don’t take pain relievers that contain ibuprofen.

Treatment plan. The doctor will provide instructions for preparing the hair, such as cutting it to a particular length or washing it with a special shampoo. Along with the instructions, the doctor will discuss the treatment plan with you so you can ask your questions.

During the hair transplant

This is the most anticipated part of the procedure. You may have a lot of questions. So, here’s what you can expect during the surgery.

Pain. The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthesia, which will numb the area where the hair will be removed. As a result, you will be awake but not feel any pain.

Graft harvesting. When the anaesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will harvest hair follicles from the donor site by extracting individual hair follicles in FUE. From there, the surgeon will create recipient sites with tiny incisions where the follicles will be transplanted.

Hair follicle transplant. Next, the surgeon will carefully transplant the hair follicles into the incisions, ensuring they are placed in the correct direction and angle to match your natural hair growth.

Procedure length. The duration of the procedure will depend on the number of grafts being transplanted, but it can take up to several hours to complete. Therefore, the more balding areas that need transplantation, the longer the procedure will be.

Monitoring and recovery. Immediately after the procedure, the surgeon will monitor your vital signs and health status to ensure your safety. Then, you will be given post-operative instructions.

Read: What Do I Need To Know Before A Hair Transplant?

After the surgery

After the surgery, there are a few things you can expect to experience.

Redness and swelling. After a hair transplant, expect some swelling and redness around the surgical area for a few days. After, you will notice crusting and scabbing, which is normal. These will last within one week or two after the procedure.

Pain and discomfort. Expect some pain and discomfort, but you can take pain relievers as prescribed by the surgeon. There will be numbness for a few weeks, too. In some cases, bruising can occur on the site, lasting a few days.

Itching and hair shedding. Throughout the healing process, you may feel itching in the surgical area. Furthermore, about 2 to 3 weeks after the surgery, you can expect some hair shedding, which is normal. This is because the transplanted hair will eventually fall out before new hair growth begins.

Recovery time. The recovery time varies depending on the individual, but most patients can return to work and normal activities within a week of the surgery. Your follow-up consultation will be scheduled to monitor the transplanted hair’s progress and ensure they’re growing as expected.

Preparing for your hair transplant journey

Getting a hair transplant is a big decision and journey. First, you want to ensure you are as prepared as possible for the surgery and the healing process. It’s challenging since you must prepare and go through the whole procedure from start to end.

A hair transplant can be a big decision and journey. Therefore, you want to ensure you are as prepared as possible for the surgery.

Now that you know what to expect during a hair transplant journey and how to prepare for one, it’s time to book a consultation with us. If you have any questions or want to learn more about hair transplants, book a consultation with us today. We would happily answer any questions and help you prepare for your hair transplant journey. So get in touch with our team by ringing us up at +65 6235 0010.