How Does a Hair Transplant Work? 

A hair transplant surgery involves harvesting donor hair from the back or sides of your scalp and implanting it into thinning areas. Surgeons either extract individual follicles (FUE) or remove a strip of skin (MDEE/FUT), followed by recipient site creation and finally by the hair graft implantation.

At Ziering Medical, we understand that a hair transplant is a big decision for most people. This is why we put together this guide, covering hair transplant techniques, the patient journey, what to expect, and choosing the right hair transplant clinic near you. 

What is a Hair Transplant? 

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that moves healthy hair follicles from the donor zone where the hair is DHT resistant and considered to be permanent hair (usually the back or sides of the scalp) to thinning or balding areas. At this time, it’s the only permanent solution for pattern hair loss, ideal for people who aren’t seeing results with nonsurgical treatments or simply want a lasting option.

Is a Hair Transplant Permanent? 

Yes, a hair transplant is permanent. This is because of a principle called “donor dominance”. Hair taken from areas like the back or sides of the scalp keeps its resistance to hair loss even after being moved. Once transplanted, these follicles grow naturally for life. However, a transplant doesn’t prevent hair from thinning in untreated areas, so some patients may eventually need additional hair surgery sessions or nonsurgical treatments and medications to maintain the best overall result.

Hair Transplant Techniques 

Every hair transplant procedure begins with consulting with a hair surgeon who will develop a treatment plan to address your short-term and long-term hair goals.  When you undergo a hair transplant, your surgeon will use either the FUE or MDEE/FUT technique. The procedure is planned based on how much hair can be safely harvested and transplanted into your thinning areas in a surgical session. The overall hair transplant design is a collaboration between the patient and the surgeon and focused on how to best use the available donor  hair to create the most impact or aesthetic change.  Regardless of the type of donor harvest technique selected (FUE or MDEE), a hair transplant procedure follows the same basic steps: Prepping the donor area, harvesting the hair grafts, creation of the recipient sites, and the gentle placement of those hair grafts at the proper angle, direction, and orientation into the recipient sites. 

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

FUE hair transplant involves shaving the entire back and sides of the head, extracting individual hair follicles one by one from the donor area, and transplanting the hair grafts into the recipient sites created by your surgeon in the thinning areas or bald spots. It leaves very tiny, dot-like scars that are barely visible, even with short hair. FUE is a popular choice for many patients since it’s minimally invasive, has a faster recovery time, and doesn’t leave a linear scar like FUT. It’s ideal for those who want minimal scarring, prefer short hairstyles, and have good donor hair density.

Microscopically Dissected Elliptical Excision (MDEE) or FUT

MDEE, also known as strip FUT, requires removing a thin elliptical-shaped strip of scalp from the donor area, usually the back of the head. The strip is dissected into individual follicular units under a microscope and then transplanted into the recipient sites created by your hair surgeon in the thinning or bald areas. FUT allows for a higher number of grafts in a single session, making it a good option for patients needing maximum coverage. It does leave a thin linear scar, but it can be invisible to the naked eye when done by experienced surgeons like the Ziering surgeons.  MDEE is a preferred hair transplant technique for women because it doesn’t require fully shaving the back of the head.  

Patient Journey: How Do Hair Transplants Work

Once your initial consultation is complete and your hair transplant is booked, you will go through different stages on the day of your procedure. 

Stage 1: Consultation & Hairline Design

Every hair transplant begins with a consultation. During this stage, your surgeon assesses your hair loss, evaluates the quantity and quality of your donor hair, reviews your goals, and creates a custom hair restoration plan to address your short and long-term goals. They’ll design a natural-looking hairline and decide whether FUE or MDEE/FUT is the best approach based on the amount of hair loss you have, your hair type, available donor hair, lifestyle, preferred hairstyle, and coverage needs. On the morning of your hair transplant procedure, your surgeon will review with you again the overall hair transplant and treatment plan along with the agreed hairline design. 

Stage 2: Donor Area Preparation

On the day of surgery, the donor area is prepared. For FUE, the hair in the donor area is typically clipped short to allow easier extraction of individual follicles. For MDEE/FUT, only a thin strip of hair will be shaved short where the donor strip will be removed. Both areas are numbed with local anesthesia so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. 

Stage 3: Hair Graft Extraction 

After the anesthesia takes effect, your surgeon will begin extracting hair follicles using either the MDEE/FUT or FUE method. During FUE, individual hair follicles are extracted one by one using a tiny punch tool (0.7–1.0 mm diameter). This creates small circular scars that are barely visible, even with short hair.

During an MDEE/FUT hair transplant, a thin elliptical-shaped strip of scalp containing hair follicles is surgically removed. The area is then closed with fine stitches and is hidden by your surrounding hair.

Stage 4: Hair Graft Dissection and Preservation

After harvesting, the follicles are handed off to a skilled technician team. In an MDEE/FUT hair transplant, the donor strip is carefully slivered and dissected under a microscope into the naturally occurring individual follicular units of 1 – 4 hairs, minimizing damage to each graft.

In FUE, the extracted follicles are already separated but still require cleaning and preparation. Each graft is trimmed, cleaned, and sorted by size (single, double, triple hair follicular units) to match the natural variation of your hair. 

The grafts are kept in a chilled, specialized solution to maintain hydration, protect the cells, and maximize graft survival until implantation. While the team prepares the grafts, you’ll relax in the surgical chair. You might listen to music, watch a movie, or simply rest. The surgical team will keep you comfortable and monitor you throughout. If it’s a longer session, short breaks for food, stretching, or bathroom use are built in.

Stage 5: Hair Graft Implantation 

Once the grafts are ready, your surgeon makes tiny incisions in the thinning or balding areas, following your natural hair growth pattern, angle, and direction. Each follicular unit is then carefully implanted to mimic natural growth and blend with your existing hair.

After your hair transplant procedure, you’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions to promote healing and graft survival. This includes guidelines on washing, medication, and activities to avoid. 

Step 6: Recovery

You’ll go home the same day as your procedure. The next day, you will return to our clinic for a hair wash and review of how to take care of your donor area and newly transplanted hair. In the first few days, your scalp may feel tender, swollen, or a little red. Tiny scabs will form around each graft. You’ll need to follow specific instructions on how to gently wash your scalp, starting with cup washes and avoiding touching the newly transplanted hair grafts. Following instructions to minimize any potential swelling is key along with taking any prescribed medications. 

The scabs usually fall off around day 7–10 and the grafts become secure. You can return to normal daily activities within a week, but you should avoid heavy exercise for about two weeks. It’s normal for the transplanted hair to shed during the first month. New growth typically starts around 3 to 4 months after the procedure.

Watch: FUE Hair Transplant Day of Surgery Ziering Medical New York 

Choosing the Right Hair Transplant Clinic Near You

Choosing the right clinic is just as important as the procedure itself. A great outcome depends on the surgeon’s experience, technique, and the clinic’s overall care standards. Here’s what you should ask before booking:
Who will be performing the surgery?

Your results rely heavily on your surgeon. Make sure a qualified, experienced board-certified surgeon, NOT just technicians, handles the critical parts of your procedure. You should also meet directly with the surgeon who will be performing your procedure. 

• How many years of experience do you have with FUE and FUT?

Ask how many years the surgeon has been performing both techniques. You want someone experienced enough to recommend the right method for your hair type, goals, and level of hair loss, not someone locked into just one approach or can only perform one type of surgical procedure.

• Can I see real before-and-after photos of your patients?

Look for consistent, natural results, especially along the hairline, crown, and temples. The hairline should match the patient’s facial structure and age with natural irregularities, just like a real hairline. The hair should look evenly distributed without obvious gaps, clumps, or unnatural patches.

• What does the aftercare process look like?

A good clinic should give you clear, written post-op instructions, easy access to your surgical team, and scheduled follow-ups. Proper aftercare can make a major difference in graft survival and final results.

• How do you handle complications or additional touch-ups if needed?

Ask what happens if you experience poor graft survival, scarring, or unexpected hair loss after the procedure. Reputable clinics have clear policies for managing rare issues and offer solutions without hidden costs.

• What do real patient reviews say about the clinic?

Aside from testimonials on the clinic’s own website, look for independent reviews on Google, RealSelf, and Trustpilot. Pay attention to comments about the surgeon’s skill, staff professionalism, communication, and post-op care. A strong pattern of positive, detailed reviews is a good sign; a history of complaints or vague feedback is a red flag.

Got More Questions? Book a Consultation at Your Nearest Ziering Medical Clinic. 

Get real answers and real results. For over 20 years, Ziering Medical has been the #1 choice for hair restoration in Beverly Hills with additional clinics in NYC and Greenwich, CT. We are more than happy to answer all your questions. 

Call us or visit a Ziering Medical clinic near you to book a consultation. We serve patients all over the greater Tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as the greater Southern California area from Los Angeles and Beverly Hills to Newport Beach and San Diego.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I still lose hair after a hair transplant?

You won’t lose the transplanted hair, but you can still lose your native, non-transplanted hair over time. Some patients may need additional treatments or medications to manage the progressive nature of genetic hair loss or maintain their general scalp and hair health. These patients most likely will need a second procedure later to maintain a fuller look.

Does a hair transplant hurt?

You’ll be under local anesthesia during the procedure, so you shouldn’t feel pain. Some mild soreness or tightness can occur afterward, but it’s manageable with medication.

How do I schedule a consultation?

You can book an appointment online or call the nearest Ziering Medical clinic to arrange a consultation. 

During this initial visit, you’ll meet with a Ziering surgeon who will assess your hair loss, discuss your goals, and develop a personalized hair restoration plan for you.