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Decision guide · Hair transplant
Are you considering a hair transplant?
How to make a good decision.
This isn't a decision to rush or make out of fear. This guide gives you the framework to choose well — the clinic, the timing and what to expect.
Validated clinical content
Informed decision
Independent practical guide
"A hair transplant is not just an operation. It's a decision that begins before the procedure and continues long after."
01 · Where you are right now
The most important phase isn't the surgery.
It's deciding with sound judgement.
You've probably been thinking about this for a while. You've seen results on social media, read reviews, maybe already requested a consultation. Now it's time to put the information in order and make a decision you'll remember for a long time.
What you're feeling
A mix of excitement and uncertainty. Fear of getting the clinic wrong. Doubts about whether you're a good candidate. Not knowing exactly what to ask or how to compare options.
It's completely normal. This guide can help you work through it.
What this guide helps you understand
How to identify a good clinic. What questions to ask. Whether you're a candidate. What to realistically expect from the result. How to prepare before the procedure.
No pressure. No advertising. With clinical judgement.
02 · The most important decision
How to choose a clinic
What to look for. And what should make you wary.
The hair transplant market has grown a lot. Along with it, so has the variability in quality, transparency and results. Knowing how to tell a reputable clinic from one that isn't can make the difference between an excellent result and a frustrating one.
Signs of a good clinic
- The consultation is carried out by a doctor, not a salesperson
- The doctor in charge has a visible name, surname and medical registration number
- They explain how many grafts you need and why, with technical reasoning
- They show real results from their own patients, not stock images
- They give you time to think, compare and ask questions without pressure
- They clearly explain what the price includes and what it doesn't
- They have a defined post-procedure follow-up protocol
- They're honest about the limits of the result — they don't promise what they can't guarantee
Signs that should raise doubts
- Price is the main selling point, above technique or results
- The consultation is done by someone without an identifiable medical qualification
- Pressure to decide quickly: "this offer only lasts until today"
- Results that can't be verified or look like stock photos
- Promises of guaranteed results or "unlimited" grafts
- No clearly identified doctor in charge
- Post-procedure follow-up is vague or not included
- They don't answer your technical questions clearly
More important than the technique: real results from patients who have had the procedure
Two clinics can use exactly the same technique and get very different results. What tells you the most about how a clinic works are the real cases they can show you — patients with your type of hair loss, with documented progress before and after, with real follow-up. A clinic that can't show you verifiable cases of its own is a warning sign, regardless of the technique it uses.
Questions you should ask during the consultation
Any reputable clinic should be able to answer these questions clearly and without discomfort. If any answer feels evasive, take that as information.
01
Who performs the procedure? Are they a qualified doctor? Can I see their medical registration?
02
How many grafts do I need and how did you calculate that?
03
What technique do you use and why is it right for my specific case?
04
Can you show me results from patients with my type and degree of hair loss?
05
What exactly does the price include? Are there any additional costs?
06
What follow-up will I have after the procedure and for how long?
07
What happens if the result isn't what I expected? Do you have a protocol for that?
08
Will I still need treatment for hair loss after the transplant?
03 · Before deciding
Am I a good candidate
for a hair transplant?
Not everyone is an ideal candidate at any given time. These are the factors a doctor will assess during the consultation. They're not a diagnosis — they're guidance to help you arrive better prepared.
Favourable factors
- Hair loss is stabilised or controlled with medical treatment
- You have enough donor area at the back or sides of the head — the quality of the donor area is usually more important than the amount of hair lost
- Your expectations are realistic about the possible result
- There are no relevant medical contraindications
- You understand the result is a 9–12 month process
Aspects to discuss with the doctor
- Active, unstabilised hair loss — may require prior treatment
- Very young age — hair loss may continue after the transplant
- Limited donor area — restricts the number of possible grafts
- Density expectations that are very high relative to the available area
- Causes of hair loss not correctly diagnosed
Something many people don't know
Sometimes surgery isn't the first step
A genuine specialist won't always recommend a transplant as the first step. In many cases, the right approach is to stabilise hair loss with medication over an extended period before considering the procedure.
This isn't an unnecessary delay — it's clinical judgement. Medication can stop or slow down active hair loss, which improves the conditions for the transplant and reduces the risk of needing additional procedures in the future. If a doctor suggests this path, that's a good sign.
Only a doctor can determine whether you're a candidate and under what conditions.
This guidance is meant to help you arrive at the consultation with better questions, not to replace it.
This guide doesn't replace a medical assessment
If you're considering a transplant, the next step isn't choosing a clinic. It's talking to a specialist doctor who evaluates your specific case. Only then can you make a truly informed decision.
04 · The procedure
What a hair transplant
really is
Without unnecessary technical jargon. What you need to know to understand what the procedure involves and why the result isn't immediate.
What it involves
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which follicular units are extracted from an area with hair resistant to hair loss — usually the back or sides of the head — and implanted in areas with reduced density.
The implanted hair keeps the genetic characteristics of the donor area. That means that once it takes hold, it's resistant to androgenetic alopecia.
The three main techniques
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): extraction unit by unit with a micro-punch. No visible linear scar. Fast recovery. It's currently the most widely used technique and a good option for most patients.
DHI (Direct Hair Implantation): a variant of FUE where follicles are implanted directly using an implanter pen. It can be useful in certain cases, especially in areas where very precise control of the implantation is needed. It doesn't always give better results than a well-performed FUE — and it usually costs more.
FUT / FUSS: extraction using a strip of scalp from the donor area. Allows a large number of grafts to be obtained in a single session. Leaves a linear scar at the back of the head. Reserved for selected cases of advanced hair loss.
What a transplant isn't
- It's not reversible — the implanted follicles are permanent
- It doesn't stop the loss of your own non-transplanted hair
- It doesn't guarantee the same density in every area
- It doesn't show results in days or weeks — the process takes months
More important than the name of the technique is the experience of the medical team, the surgical planning and the follow-up care.
05 · Expectations
What you see on Instagram
isn't the process
Social media shows the before and after. What it doesn't show are the months in between — which are most of the process. Understanding them in advance reduces anxiety and prevents rushed decisions.
There's shock loss — and it's normal
Between weeks 2 and 6, the transplanted hair falls out. The follicle stays in place. It's a normal biological response. But it can be visually alarming if you're not expecting it. Most people who go through it without anticipating it think the transplant has failed. It hasn't.
There are months where it looks like nothing is happening
Between months 2 and 4 the result is barely visible. The scalp is in the recovery process and the new hairs aren't visible yet. This is the moment when patience is tested the most.
Density has limits
The number of possible grafts is limited by the available donor area. It's not always possible to recover the original density. A good doctor will explain what result is realistic for your specific case — and won't promise what they can't guarantee.
Not all results are the same
The final result depends on the technique, the doctor, your donor area, your type of hair loss and the aftercare. Two people with the same number of grafts can have very different results.
The final result takes 9–12 months
The frontal area and mid-scalp may show results sooner. The crown can take up to 12–14 months. In some cases improvement continues up to 18 months. Any assessment of the result before the one-year mark is premature.
06 · A key decision factor
Beyond the price:
the value of follow-up care
Price is a legitimate factor in any decision. But in a surgical procedure, the cost of what happens afterward matters as much as, or more than, the initial cost.
01
Included check-ups
Post-procedure follow-up isn't an extra — it's part of the procedure. A clinic that doesn't include check-ups in the price is shifting a real risk onto the patient. Always clarify which check-ups are included and for how long.
02
Access to the medical team
During the first months, questions, discomfort or situations that need guidance will come up. Can you contact the doctor who performed the procedure? How quickly do they respond? Is there a clear protocol for complications?
03
Continuity of hair treatment
A transplant doesn't stop the loss of your own hair. Many people need to continue medical treatment for androgenetic alopecia after the procedure. A good clinic accounts for this in its follow-up plan.
04
What happens if something goes wrong
Although rare, complications can occur. Does the clinic have a defined protocol? Who responds and how? Geographic proximity and clarity on this point are real safety factors, not just convenience.
07 · Preparation
How to prepare your scalp
before the transplant
Prior preparation doesn't change the surgical outcome — that depends on the doctor and the technique. But it can influence the condition your scalp is in at the time of the procedure and how it responds in the first days after.
Scalp hygiene and balance
A clean scalp, without active irritation or excessive flaking, is in better condition for the procedure. Avoiding products with harsh ingredients in the weeks before helps reduce baseline sensitivity.
Diet and hydration
A balanced diet with enough protein, iron, zinc and B-group vitamins supports the general condition of the hair and scalp. No special diet is needed — just avoid significant deficiencies before a surgical procedure.
Habits worth reviewing
- Avoid smoking for at least 10 days beforehand — it reduces blood flow
- Limit alcohol in the week before
- Don't take anti-inflammatories without consulting your doctor
- Follow any specific instructions from the clinic about washing beforehand
Shampoo is part of preparation too
Preparing your scalp also means avoiding products that irritate it or disrupt its balance right before the procedure. Many people choose to use a shampoo specifically for sensitive scalps in the weeks beforehand.
The practical advantage: if you start early, you don't have to introduce a new product right when your scalp is at its most sensitive.
08 · The full process
What happens
after you say yes
The transplant is a decision. The result is a process. Here's the full picture of what comes next.
Before
Assessment and preparation
Medical consultation, transplant planning, scalp preparation. This is the moment to get answers to all your questions and make sure your expectations are realistic.
The day
The procedure
Duration varies depending on the number of grafts — usually between 4 and 8 hours. With local anaesthesia. The patient is awake and comfortable throughout the process.
Days 1–10
Care in the first few days
Scabs, sensitivity and rest. The transplanted area shouldn't be touched or handled. The goal is to keep the scalp clean without causing additional friction.
Day 10 (approx.)
The first wash
Some clinics do this in person; others give instructions for doing it at home. The goal: gently remove the scabs until none are visible.
Weeks 2–8
Shock loss — the phase that raises the most doubts
The transplanted hair falls out. It's normal. The follicle stays in place and will resume its activity. Don't stop caring for it during this time.
Months 3–6
Visible growth begins
The first new hairs appear gradually. They may be finer at first. The scalp may remain sensitive for months.
Months 9–18
Final result
Density consolidates gradually. The frontal area usually shows results before the crown. The final result can take up to 18 months. A transplant is a permanent decision — and so is the result.
The transplant is a decision. The result is a process.
Many people focus on the day of the operation. What actually determines the result is everything that comes after — follow-up care, care at home and expectations during the months of progress.
09 · Before taking the step
Before taking the step
Are you ready?
Clinic criteria
- You've compared at least two different clinics
- The consultation was done by a doctor, not a salesperson
- You know the name of the doctor who will perform the procedure
- You know exactly what the price includes and what it doesn't
- You're clear on what follow-up you'll have afterward
Personal criteria
- Your hair loss is stabilised or under treatment
- You understand the result takes 9–12 months
- You know there will be a shock loss phase
- You're clear on the total cost including aftercare
- You're making the decision without time or price pressure
If you've checked most of these points, you're probably ready
to request a personalised medical assessment. That's the real next step.
FOLIC · Specialist scalp and hair care
If you're considering a transplant, there's something you can start doing right now: taking care of your scalp before the procedure. The product you use during those weeks deserves to be chosen with the same care as the rest of the process.
Preparing your scalp
is also part of the process
Many people start using FOLIC before the procedure to arrive with a scalp that's clean, balanced and free of unnecessary irritation. The practical advantage is simple: if you start early, you don't have to introduce a new product right when your scalp is at its most sensitive.
Physiological pH ~5.5
No harsh surfactants
No irritating ingredients
Before and after the transplant
Made in Spain
View hair transplant shampoo →
Frequently asked questions
What people ask most
The price varies significantly depending on the clinic, the technique and the number
of grafts. An especially low price doesn't necessarily mean a poor result,
but it's worth understanding exactly what's included and what isn't: medical assessment,
follow-up, check-ups and a protocol in case of complications.
There's no universal minimum age, but most specialists recommend
waiting until hair loss has stabilised. In very young people, hair loss
may continue after the transplant, which can require additional procedures.
A doctor should evaluate each case individually.
Transplanted hair, since it comes from areas resistant to androgenetic alopecia,
keeps that resistance in its new location. In that sense, yes, it's permanent.
What the transplant doesn't stop is the loss of your own non-transplanted hair,
which may require ongoing medical treatment.
It depends on the case. Active, unstabilised hair loss can make the
transplant result less predictable in the long term. Many specialists
recommend stabilising hair loss with medical treatment before proceeding.
This is a decision the doctor should make with the full information about your case.
In the weeks before the transplant, it's best to avoid shampoos with harsh
surfactants, strong fragrances or irritating ingredients that could disrupt
the scalp's balance. A shampoo with a physiological pH (~5.5) and
no irritating ingredients is the most suitable choice for arriving at the
procedure with your scalp in the best possible condition.
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Care for transplanted hair
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To make a good decision