Restores a natural, more youthful, and vigorous look, with potentially positive psychological effects, such as a boost in confidence. Less expensive than other hair-loss treatments, when factored over time. Must have availability of healthy hair in donor areas of adequate density. May be combined with other surgical procedures in patients with larger areas of baldness. Time-consuming process that may require multiple sessions over 1 to 2 years.
Procedure involves some degree of minor discomfort, bruising and swelling.
There may be numbness around the donor or recipient site, which generally disappears within 2 to 3 months. Several days are required before normal activities can be resumed. Patient should not have unrealistic expectations about the nature and extent of transplanted hair growth. Individual hair characteristics, such as coarseness and curl, can affect the possible density of transplanted hair. Survival of transplanted hair is not always predictable.