Choosing a hair transplant clinic: what to look at? The "team" and "long-term planning" that determine results

When choosing a hair transplant clinic, what matters is the surgical team's skill and a long-term plan based on the quantity and quality of the donor area to be harvested[1][2]. Hair transplant results are reported to vary depending on the surgeon's technique, the quality of the donor area, the skin condition at the transplant site, and the extent of the area[1]. Since transplanted hair may decrease over time, you also want to confirm whether there is a plan that includes medication treatment[3].

What makes a difference in hair transplant results?

A major factor that makes a difference is the surgeon's and team's skill[1]. In FUE, where hair follicles are extracted one by one, if performed correctly with appropriate instruments, the rate of root damage can be kept below 4%[1].

The skin condition on the recipient side also affects results. In areas with scarring, blood circulation is poor, making it harder for transplanted hair to take[4].

Is the donor area examined properly?

The density, quantity, and quality of hair in the posterior scalp and other donor areas are essential items to confirm when considering hair transplantation[2]. How far the hair loss may progress in the future and what the individual expects are equally important points to confirm[2].

Although hair loss patterns differ between men and women, those who are properly selected can achieve good results with hair transplantation[2]. In a study of 62 women, the median number of grafts transplanted was 1,700, and no major complications occurred[5].

European guidelines require hair transplantation to be performed only when there is sufficient donor area available for potential future procedures[6]. You should also ask whether the plan involves harvesting everything in this procedure.

What does the explanation of how to choose between FUE and FUT reveal?

Look for whether the clinic explains the extraction method flexibly based on your condition rather than committing to just one approach. FUT, which involves removing a strip of scalp, is used when transplanting over a wide area, while FUE is chosen by those who want to minimize visible scarring[7].

FUE is also reported to have the advantage of shorter postoperative pain and healing time[8]. Which is suitable depends on the donor area condition and the extent of the area to be transplanted.

Does the clinic consider medication treatment as part of the plan?

It is important whether there is a plan to protect existing hair with medication after transplantation. In long-term follow-up reports, the density of transplanted hair was maintained in only 8.92% of patients, and it clearly decreased in 8.03%[3].

Therefore, a long-term plan that continues medication treatment and considers additional procedures if necessary is recommended[3]. While the oral medication finasteride offers expected efficacy, side effects such as sexual dysfunction have been reported, so you should confirm whether this is explained[8].

Should you choose add-on treatments like PRP?

Before deciding on add-on treatments, ask about how thoroughly the effects have been verified. There are 3 studies (217 people) combining PRP with hair transplantation, and they report improved hair density and take[3].

However, how PRP is prepared and evaluated varies from study to study, and further high-quality research is needed[3].

How do you verify complications and postoperative follow-up?

Most FUE complications are mild and resolve naturally[9]. However, some can affect hair take, appearance, and satisfaction, so proper preoperative planning and postoperative care system are important[9].

Hair transplantation takes time from surgery until results become visible[8]. It helps to ask about when and what to confirm after surgery, including the follow-up visit schedule.

What should you ask during the consultation?

Three important things to ask are: who will perform which steps of the surgery, how many grafts can be harvested including future reserves from the donor area, and whether there is a plan including medication. The donor area condition and progression of hair loss cannot be determined without the physician examining the scalp[2].

Also confirm during consultation how complications will be handled and when the results will be evaluated.