A lot of men will suffer from hair loss by age 50 so it  is no surprise that hair loss treatments using transplants have become the number one cosmetic procedure for men in the United States.

However, hair loss is not exclusive to men. Many women also suffer from thinning hair or patterns of baldness.

Although hair loss treatment doesn't work for everyone, hair transplants do offer permanent hair restoration for most patients. The goal is to give you the natural-looking appearance of healthy hair.

People typically seek hair transplantation to correct hair loss that has resulted from genetics, aging, a traumatic injury, or certain medical conditions. The ideal hair-transplantation candidate must have healthy existing hair on the back or sides of the head. The candidate must also be prepared to undergo treatment in multiple sessions that can take several hours.

The location of the procedure is an outpatient surgery centre, doctor's office, or hospital. The procedure can require several hours and multiple treatment sessions over the course of up to two years. Anaesthesia options should be discussed with your surgeon and the anaesthesiologist. The procedure is often performed under local anaesthesia, though general anaesthetic may be used for more extensive surgery.
During the transplant, segments of the scalp, or grafts, which contain hair from the donor area, are removed and then attached to the targeted balding or thinning area. There are several types of grafts that vary in size and shape. Mini-grafts contain up to four hairs. Slit grafts that are inserted into slits in the scalp have up to ten hairs. Round-shaped punch grafts have up to ten hairs. Strip grafts contain up to 40 hairs. Ask your doctor about which graft treatment is best for you.
Several hair transplant sessions are usually needed in order to achieve optimum results.

In any hair transplant procedure, the right fit of each graft or follicle is extremely important. Care must be given to ensure the strongest contact with existing tissue. The goal of the right fit is to offer the highest probability for speedy oxidation between existing tissue and the new graft. The wound size depends upon the specific graft treatment used by your doctor.

The doctor will supply a complete instruction list that must be followed to reduce the risk of complications. Normal activity may not be resumed for several days. The doctor may prescribe oral and topical medications to manage minimal discomfort, bruising, and swelling. The transplanted hair will often fall out within six weeks, but re-growth is expected to occur within three months.

There are risks associated with every medical procedure. Possible complications include infection and scarring. There may be numbness in the donor and recipient sites, which may subside within three months. There may also be skin discoloration in the affected areas as well as an uneven appearance or dimpling of the skin. Depending upon the strength of the fit, oxidation may or may not occur which can limit blood flow and re-growth of hair in the treated areas. The doctor may be able to intervene and remedy the complications.