Transplant hair replacement is normally safe when performed by a qualified, experienced physician. Still, individuals vary greatly in their physical reactions and healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable. Transplant hair replacement can improve your appearance and your self-confidence, but the results won't necessarily match your expectations. Before you opt for transplant hair replacement, think carefully about your expectations and talk about them with your surgeon. It is essential to be aware of the fact that all transplant hair replacement use your existing hair. The goal of transplant hair replacement is to find the most efficient uses for existing hair. However, there are limits to what can be accomplished. An individual with very little hair might not be advised to undergo transplant hair replacement. A suitable candidate for transplant hair replacement must have healthy hair growth at the back and sides of the head to serve as donor areas. Donor areas are the places on the head from which grafts and flaps are taken. Other factors, such as hair color, texture and waviness or curliness may also affect the cosmetic result. There are a number of techniques used in transplant hair replacement. Sometimes, two or more techniques are used to achieve the best results. Transplant hair replacement techniques, such as punch grafts, mini-grafts, micro-grafts, slit grafts, and strip grafts are generally performed on patients who wish to have a more modest change in hair fullness. Flaps, tissue-expansion and scalp-reduction are procedures that are usually more apt for persons who desire a more striking change.

There are certain risks involved in transplant hair replacement. As in any surgical procedure, infection may occur. Excessive bleeding and wide scars, sometimes called stretch-back scars caused by tension may be there as a consequence of some scalp-reduction procedures. In transplant hair replacement procedures, there are chances that some of the grafts would not take up. Although it is normal for the hair contained within the plugs to fall out before establishing regrowth in its new location, sometimes the skin plug dies and transplant hair replacement surgery must be repeated. At times, patients with plug grafts will notice small bumps on the scalp that form at the transplant sites. These areas can generally be masked with surrounding hair. Following the transplant hair replacement, an unnatural, patchy look may show due to hair loss. If this happens, additional transplant hair replacement surgery may be required.