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Step by step guide to a hair transplant procedure
How does a hair transplant procedure work?
With up to 50% of men experiencing some degree of hair loss are becoming increasingly popular. A lot of people know the before and after results of a hair transplant but many patients come to us wanting to know more about what is actually in the process.
Here at The Private Clinic, we have a team of industry-leading expert surgeons offering a modified FUE method that makes very small entry points into the scalp.
To help you make a more informed decision we have put together a step-by-step FUE Hair Transplant journey guide.
Your first step to getting an is your consultation.
You will need to have a Consultation – https://beurre.ua – with one of our hair transplant surgeons before being able to book your procedure. This gives you the chance to first meet with the surgeon, discuss your hair loss and go through your medical . They will then analyse your hair and assess your suitability for a hair transplant. It is important that your hair follicles are the strongest they can be to ensure a successful hair transplant. In some cases, your surgeon may a course of ahead of your surgery.
We also offer consultations with our patient advisors. They are very experienced in the procedure and can answer many of your questions. They will also find out more information about you and your goals to ensure you are seeing the surgeon that best suits you.
As your procedure day approaches you may be required to shave your hair. Some patients choose to do this gradually in the months leading up to their procedure date. Others may wait until the day and have this done in the clinic. Having a shaved head allows your hair transplant surgeon to mimic the natural angle and direction of native hair and minimise transaction rates. For some patients, it may be possible to perform a partially shaven or This can be discussed and decided in your consultation.
Arriving at the clinic for your hair transplant you will be required to fill in some paperwork consenting to the procedure. Everything will be explained to you by the technicians assisting with the procedure at the clinic. You will also have your pre-operative photographs taken which will be held by the clinic. Your surgeon will then run through the procedure steps again with you. They will then mark out where the treatment areas are and answer any questions that you have.
Before your procedure starts, you will have local anaesthetic injected into the scalp. This will make the extraction and grafting of the hair painless and comfortable. This part may sting initially, but many patients are surprised about how quickly it works. You will be conscious during the entire procedure, so if at any time you are feeling uncomfortable or want to take a break you will be able to communicate this.
An FUE Hair Transplant procedure starts with the extraction. This involves using a specialised punch device, ranging in diameter from 0.6mm – 0.9mm. This device is used to puncture the skin around the follicle 1-2 millimetres from the surface. The hair follicle bulb is then removed using fine forceps with the aid of a powerful magnifying glass to ensure precision. Once the hair bulb has been removed, it is then placed into a glass tray. The follicles are then kept in a solution to keep them at a perfect range of hydration, temperature and humidity until the extraction process is complete.
FUE Hair Transplants have a very high success rate. This is each individual hair is taken from areas of the scalp where there is healthy and permanent hair growth. Donor hair is most commonly taken from the back of the head. This is an area of the male scalp that is resistant to DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which is the typical cause of balding for the front and crown/top of the head – also known as male pattern baldness.
Once the extraction process is complete, you are usually given a break. During this time, you will be given the chance to stretch your legs and have something to eat. The Private Clinic provides patients with lunch, snacks and drinks throughout the . We will be in touch before your procedure to your dietary preferences.
During this time, your surgeon will be starting to examine the extracted grafts. They will make a selection of which ones are suitable for use, and which are not. The grafts are then separated into groups by thickness, size of the bulb and number of hairs. This is to make sure that there is enough variation to provide the patient with the most natural-looking result.
Once your surgeon and their team have selected all the grafts, you will then be ready for the stage of the FUE Hair Transplant procedure. You may need to have your local anaesthetic topped up at this stage. This will ensure that the procedure is still pain-free and comfortable. Each follicle is then manually implanted into the recipient area of the scalp by your hair transplant surgeon. The implanter tool will first penetrate the skin. The hair follicle bulb is then placed 1mm below the surface into the intradermal layer of the scalp. The number of hair grafts being inserted will vary between each patient. In large cases, this stage of the procedure may take place over 2 days.
When the DHT-resistant hair follicle is placed in the new area, it retains this element. As a result, your new hair growth should therefore remain permanent. The transplanted hairs also successfully root in your recipient area as it is your own hair. There is a common misconception that donated hair from someone else will be used and this is certainly not the case.
The next step of the FUE Hair Transplant procedure is all down to you as the patient.
Once the process is complete, your surgeon will place bandaging on your head. They will also go through a full aftercare routine which you will need to follow. You will be advised to avoid touching your new hair grafts for the first 3 days which wearing a hat. You will need to spray the new follicles every 30 minutes. We recommend doing this as it the formation of scabs and keeps your new hair follicles well-hydrated. Medication will also be that you will need to take as prescribed by your . The initial of the donor area will take 5-7 days and at this point, any redness or swelling should have subsided. Your surgeon may request to see you at this stage to check that everything is healing correctly.
Taking proper care of your newly transplanted hair for the next 12 months is a really important part of your FUE Hair Transplant procedure to ensure that you achieve the best results. You will be given a series of post-op appointments throughout this time where your will be able to check your results and provide any additional information on how to care for your new hair follicles.
After 12 months your FUE Hair Transplant journey should be near enough complete. You will have noticed a difference in your hairline or hair density in the areas treated. A hair transplant is designed to last for decades, as the hair taken from your donor area is known to be resistant to male pattern baldness. However, it is important to remember that other untreated areas of your scalp may still be prone to male pattern baldness. Over time thinning and baldness may still occur in areas not treated, which could result in an hair transplant procedure being needed. Our surgeons at The Private Clinic are highly experienced and will take care to foresee any potential future hair loss to ensure that your results are long-lasting.
During a hair transplant on Harley Street, it’s essential that all surgical steps are by a fully qualified, GMC‑ doctor, as required by the . The confirms that hair transplants are deemed cosmetic and not routinely available through public funding, reinforcing the of choosing a specialist surgeon in a properly regulated, CQC‑ clinic. This ensures that every phase is conducted to the highest safety and efficacy standards, while also managing expectations around recovery timelines and minimising risks.
Why choose The Private Clinic for a FUE Hair Transplant?
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We offer hair transplant consultations with our patient advisers across the UK, and FUE Hair Transplant consultations with our industry-leading hair surgeons in several locations.
Expert Hair Transplant Surgeons at The Private Clinic
- , MD, MSc. GMC Number:
- , MBChB, MRCHB. GMC Number:
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If you would like to arrange a hair transplant consultation please call or
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About The Private Clinic
The Private Clinic is a multi award winning medical group with clinics located across the UK. We have over 40 years’ experience in offering the best in advanced invasive non surgical treatments and expert led procedures in our clinics and hospitals. Our surgeons are all registered with the and we are regulated by the . The CQC is an independent regulator for health and social care in England. Last review March 10th 2023.
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reg: The Private Clinic is a trading name of TPC Group Limited (company registration number ) © 2026 The Private Clinic.
TPC Group Limited trading as The Private Clinic Harley Street London, which is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance . TPC Group Limited is a credit broker, not a lender. Chrysalis Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and lending.
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