Hair Transplant Success Rate
The success or survival rate of a hair transplant is a common concern for many candidates suffering from hair loss. There has been lots of debate in the past decade over what method of hair transplantation yields a higher survival rate. We have prepared an article describing the survival rates of each transplantation technique and an explanation of the variance.
In a Nutshell
| Success Rate | 95-98% |
| Transection Rate | <15% |
| Where? | Verified Clinics |
Hair Transplant Procedures and Techniques
All hair transplant procedures consist of an extraction, storage and insertion phase regardless of the method used. The storage and insertion steps of hair transplants are virtually identical however, they vary considerably in their extraction technique. The two most common hair transplant methods currently used are the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Excision (FUE).
The FUT, or Strip method, involves a thin strip of skin being removed from the donor area at the back of the head to harvest the hair needed to transplant. This extraction method will leave behind a narrow scar across the donor area, no wider than a pencil. This strip of skin is then dissected into individual grafts which are stored in a sterile, cooling solution until they are ready to be inserted into the recipient channels.
The FUE method is a minimally invasive technique which involves using a thin, hollow needle to remove hair follicles in natural groupings of one to four hairs. This method leaves behind very small white scars peppered around the donor region. These hair grafts are then stored in the same sterile, cooling solution until the recipient channels are ready for their insertion.
With both methods a phenomenon known as the shedding effect occurs several weeks after the hair transplantation. The hair will fall out of the transplanted follicles as a result of losing contact with the blood supply temporarily during the procedure. This hair will grow back within three to five months after the hair transplant procedure and will continue to grow for the duration of the patient’s life. Full results can be seen approximately 12 months after the transplantation. For more information check out our post op hair transplant guide.
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Success Rates of Hair Transplants
Currently hair transplants have between a 95-98% success rate on average. The reason for this very high survival rate of the transplanted grafts is because the hair follicles come from the patient’s own scalp, there is no chance of graft rejection.
In the past FUE hair transplants had a lower success rate than FUT hair transplants as the hair grafts were weaker and as such had a poorer survival rate. While this used to be true, technological advancements over the past five to ten years have greatly improved the survival rate of the FUE hair grafts.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) released a study in 2018 comparing the success rates of the two hair transplant methods. The study found that both methods performed equally well within all parameters, with the FUE method performing slightly better in some ways. The study was too small however, to conclude that the FUE has a better success rate than the FUT method.
Nevertheless, the success of a hair transplant is often also determined by the usage of effective hair loss medication. Especially young patients normally need to complement the hair transplant with finasteride or minoxidil in order to achieve a lasting result.
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Success of Hair Transplants for Self-Image
Thinning hair and balding are often symptoms associated with aging, this can lead to decreased self-confidence for individuals suffering from hair loss. Individuals who experience hair loss at a younger age are especially impacted and often feel as though they look far older than they actually are, which leads to low self-esteem. A full head of hair is often a sign of beauty that patients wish to regain to restore their youthful, healthy appearance.
According to our hair transplant statistics with over 1,000 participants a hair transplant has a significant positive impact on the self-esteem of most patients:
The vast majority of all hair transplant patients find the negative psychological impacts of hair loss greatly improved after they undergo their transplant. Patients report increased happiness and overall energy as well as decreased anxiety levels. We have compiled data from our clients answering the question of how much their emotional state has improved as a result of their hair transplant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are all hair transplants successful?
Is a hair transplant permanent?
What is the most effective hair transplant method?
Can hair transplants go wrong?
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