Does the hair transplant procedure hurt?

Hair transplant surgery involves a specialist plastic surgeon, carefully removing a section of hair from the scalp where the hair is growing thickly and naturally. This section, usually about a centimetre in width and about 30 centimetres in length, is then carefully split into segments. Each of these sections, or ‘plugs’ as they are commonly referred to, consists of a small area of skin and a couple of hair follicles, with the hairs closely cropped. A tiny incision is then made in the desired area and the ‘plug’ is placed into the opening made in the skin. The body then utilises its own regenerative systems to fuse the section of skin into place permanently. The procedure should have a permanent effect, and the hair should continue growing as it did before in its new position. The surgeon will create a new, correct, hairline close to your original hair style, following the natural contours of your scalp and forehead. There are various techniques now used and some more advanced procedures involve removing one hair at a time.

It can be intimidating to go into a surgery knowing you will be awake during the procedure, as is the case with hair transplantation, but hair transplants are relatively painless. The most uncomfortable part of the session will be when the doctor or nurse is prepping your head using localised anaesthesia in the form of several needle-shots around the scalp. After you are numb, you should feel tugging or pulling sensations around your head, but no pain.

After the procedure, it is common for your scalp to become swollen and for the follicles to scab as part of the healing process, so there may be pain and discomfort while your scalp heals.

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