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A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that moves hair follicles from one part of the body to another. Hair transplants are most commonly performed on the scalp, but can also be performed on other areas of the body.

Hair transplants are a popular medical tourism procedure. Patients travel to other countries for hair transplants for a variety of reasons. Some patients travel to save money, while others travel to receive a higher quality of care.

The procedure usually takes anywhere from 4-8 hours, depending on the number of grafts and the type of procedure. Sometimes the procedure is done in multiple sessions over the course of a few days.

Your trip can be as short as 2 days. However, this time can vary based on travel time, the way the procedure is done, and other factors. You should coordinate your trip planning with your selected international provider.Preview your patient journey here.

You should see visible hair growth within 3-6 months after the procedure. The results should continue to improve over the next 12 months.

The results should last for the rest of your life, as long as you do not lose more hair. However, you may need to get a touch-up procedure in the future. Continued use of hair loss medication may be necessary to avoid losing more hair.

Patients should avoid alcohol, drugs such as aspirin, and other substances for one week before the procedure. You should ask your selected international provider or local doctor for a full list of things to avoid before your procedure.

Alcohol, smoking, drugs, exercise, sunlight exposure, and more should be restricted after the procedure in order to stay safe and achieve the best results. Restrictions and timelines can vary- you should ask your selected international provider or local doctor for a full list of requirements for your recovery.

Some patients fly home the same day as the procedure. However, you should check with your selected international provider or local doctor to determine when you can fly home safely.

You should be able to return to work after about 3 days. However, you should check with your selected international provider or local doctor to determine when you can return to work safely.

You should avoid strenuous exercise for about 1 week after the procedure.

Both procedures may cause pain. However, FUE is generally less painful than FUT. You should ask your selected international provider or local doctor about pain management options.

Both procedures may leave scarring. Generally, FUE leads to a less noticeable type of scar. There are ways to remove the scars such as laser treatment or other procedures, but these are not guaranteed to work.

The most common side effect is scarring. Other potential side effects include: infections, crust or pus drainage around the surgical sites, scalp pain, itching, and swelling, inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis), bleeding, losing sensation around the surgical sites, visible areas of hair that don’t match the surrounding hair or are noticeably thinner, and continuing to lose hair if your hair is still balding.

You should consult your doctor for more information about whether a hair transplant is right for you. You can also find more information about hair transplants on the American Hair Loss Association website.