Hair Transplant FAQ: Expert Answers from Trichogenics
At Trichogenics, we specialize in advanced hair transplant procedures in Greece and Israel. Every treatment is doctor-performed by our founders, including Dr. Asi Peretz, to ensure precision, safety, and natural results. This FAQ covers the most important patient questions with clear, medically accurate answers.
What Is a Hair Transplant?
Hair implants, more accurately called a hair transplant, are a form of hair transplant surgery where healthy hair follicles are taken from a stable donor area (typically the back or sides of the scalp) and relocated to thinning or balding zones known as the recipient area.
At Trichogenics, we specialize exclusively in advanced methods such as follicular unit extraction (FUE) and direct hair implantation (DHI). Both techniques use natural follicular units to restore coverage and create seamless, undetectable hair transplant results.
When performed by experts like Dr. Asi and Eric Peretz, hair implants are designed to provide a natural, long-term, and often permanent solution for individuals experiencing hair loss.
What is the difference between FUE and FUT hair transplantation?
The main difference lies in how the follicles are extracted, not how they’re implanted.
FUT (also called the linear strip method) involves removing a thin strip of scalp from the back of the head, leaving a linear scar after stitching.
FUE, on the other hand, extracts follicles individually with a tiny punch tool, leaving only small dot scars.
FUT may allow slightly more donor follicles, but FUE is preferred for most patients because it causes less pain, faster recovery, and minimal scarring, allowing for shorter hairstyles. We, like most modern surgeons, choose FUE or DHI for their natural results and comfort.
How do I know if I qualify for a hair transplant?
A good candidate for hair transplant surgery must be in overall good health and have enough donor hair, usually from the back and sides of the scalp, to cover the thinning or balding recipient area.
The best way to know if you qualify is through a consultation. By sharing clear photos with our doctors, we can evaluate the donor area, review your hair loss pattern, and determine whether surgery is a permanent solution for you.
Do hair transplants hurt?
We do everything possible to make the procedure comfortable and pain-free.
The most uncomfortable part is typically the local anesthetic injections at the start but once that’s done, most patients report little to no pain during or after the surgery.
On average, our patients rate the discomfort as 2–3 out of 10, and many do well with just Tylenol (paracetamol) and/ or Advil (ibuprofen) for recovery.
Here’s what we do to minimize pain:
- Use ultra-fine needles (like those used for Botox)
- Buffer the anesthetic to reduce the burning sensation
- Apply advanced injection techniques for gentle delivery
Do I need anesthesia during surgery?
Yes. Local anesthesia is always used to numb both the donor area and the recipient area. You’ll remain awake but fully comfortable throughout.
In some cases, mild oral sedation is also provided to reduce anxiety. This makes the process smooth even though a hair transplant surgery may take several hours.
How many days do I need off work?
It really depends on your job:
If you work at a desk, you may be back to work as early as the next day.
Swelling typically lasts 4–5 days, so some patients prefer working from home for a few days.
You can wear a hat after day 4, so if that’s allowed at work, you’re good to go.
For more physical jobs:
If you do construction, hard labor, or wear a hard hat, we recommend taking 2 weeks off to avoid sweating and pressure on the scalp.
Athletes can generally resume training 10–14 days post-op.
Is PRP mandatory after a hair transplant?
No. While PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) can enhance hair growth by stimulating hair follicles, it is not required for successful hair transplant results.
A well-performed surgery using follicular units with precise placement is usually enough. PRP may help accelerate healing or early growth, but your final result does not depend on it.
In short, it can be a helpful add-on, but it’s not essential.
How long does a hair transplant take?
The duration depends on the number of grafts. Smaller sessions may take six to eight hours, while larger cases requiring more than 2,500 transplanted follicles are split across two days.
At Trichogenics, dividing longer cases improves donor management, increases graft survival, and promotes better long term outcomes. Each surgical day generally lasts six to ten hours.
How long does it take to see results after a hair transplant?
Most patients start noticing new hair growth around four months after the procedure. By six months, about 70% of the final result is visible, with hair looking fuller and more natural.
The remaining 30% continues to improve over the next six months. Some areas, like the crown, take longer-up to 18 months for full density. Every patient heals differently, so patience is key while the transplanted follicles go through their normal growth cycle.
How do we calculate how many follicles can be taken safely from the donor area?
To find out how many follicles can be safely extracted, doctors calculate something called the coverage value. It’s the number of hairs per square centimeter multiplied by their thickness (caliber).
Using an AI scanning device and precise caliper measurements, they assess the donor zones – occipital, parietal, and temporal. The goal is to ensure the coverage value doesn’t drop below 5.6, since lower values lead to visible thinning. With these readings, specialists determine the maximum number of follicles that can be collected over time without harming the donor area.
How do you achieve a natural-looking hair transplant?
- Customized Hairline Design There is no “one-size-fits-all” hairline. We design each hairline using Da Vinci’s rule of thirds and natural facial proportions. Artistic judgment is essential, so what works for one patient may not suit another.
- Proper Graft Distribution We carefully distribute follicular units based on the number of hairs they contain (1 to 4 hairs per graft). Strategic placement creates a natural density gradient that mimics real hair growth.
- Single-Hair Grafts in the Hairline For maximum realism, we place at least 200 single-hair grafts along the very front of the hairline. This softens the transition and avoids a harsh or “pluggy” look.
- Micro-Irregularities in the Hairline A perfectly straight hairline often looks artificial. We incorporate subtle zig-zags and natural asymmetries to recreate the random, irregular pattern seen in native hairlines.
- Natural Direction and Angle of Hair Growth Hair doesn’t grow straight out of the scalp, it has natural curves, flow, and orientation that vary across different zones. We take great care to place each graft at the correct angle and direction to match the surrounding hair. This is especially important at the temples, crown, and hairline transition zones.
What are the risks and complications of a hair transplant?
Hair transplant procedures are considered very safe when performed by experienced professionals, but like any medical procedure, they do carry some risks. Understanding these helps patients make informed decisions and choose a qualified provider. Here are some of the potential complications:
- Local Anaesthesia Toxicity
Although extremely rare, toxicity from local anaesthesia is one of the most serious risks in hair transplantation. This is why it’s essential to have your procedure performed by a licensed medical team trained in managing such emergencies. Knowing the proper dosages and how to recognize and treat early signs of toxicity can make all the difference. - Medication Reactions
We use standard, well-established medications before, during, and after surgery—but even common drugs can trigger allergic or adverse reactions. This includes everything from antibiotics to simple pain relievers like paracetamol (Tylenol). Close monitoring and a full review of your medical history help minimize this risk. - Infection
Any time the skin’s barrier is broken, there’s a risk of infection. While uncommon in hair transplants, we take it seriously. That’s why we use preventive antibiotics both before and after the procedure, maintain strict sterile technique, and provide you with aftercare instructions to keep the area clean while it heals. - Necrosis (Loss of Tissue in the Scalp)
One of the rarest but most severe complications is scalp necrosis, where an area of tissue does not receive enough blood flow and dies. This is more likely to occur in smokers, uncontrolled diabetics, or patients with underlying vascular issues however, it can, in rare cases, happen to anyone. While not life-threatening, it can be cosmetically significant and difficult to correct, as hair typically won’t grow back in the affected area. Prevention through proper surgical planning, avoiding excessive density, and good post-op care is key.
Bottom line: While these complications are rare, they underscore why it’s important to choose a skilled and medically qualified team. With proper technique, patient screening, and aftercare, the risk of serious complications remains very low.
The duration depends on the number of grafts. Smaller sessions may take six to eight hours, while larger cases requiring more than 2,500 transplanted follicles are split across two days.
At Trichogenics, dividing longer cases improves donor management, increases graft survival, and promotes better long term outcomes. Each surgical day generally lasts six to ten hours.
Are hair transplants permanent?
- The Donor Area (“Safe Zone”) Hair used in a transplant is typically taken from the “safe zone” at the back and sides of the scalp, the areas that are genetically resistant to hair loss. If all the grafts are harvested from this zone, those hairs are much more likely to be permanent. However, especially in larger cases using FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), we sometimes need to go slightly beyond the safe zone to avoid overharvesting. Hairs taken from outside this area may eventually thin or fall out over time.
- Your Ongoing Hair Loss Transplanted hairs may be stable, but the native hairs around them can still thin over time. That’s why patients often need a long-term strategy to manage ongoing hair loss, especially in younger individuals or those with advanced hair loss patterns.
- Medication Support
Using treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, or options such as dutasteride, low-level laser therapy, or PRP, can help stabilize surrounding hair and prolong the overall result. While they’re not mandatory, they can play a big role in maintaining your appearance long-term and are generally strongly recommended.
For patients who want to learn more, this guide on hair transplant without finasteride explains when the medication may or may not be necessary. - Surgical Planning and Technique A well-planned transplant considers future hair loss and avoids placing too many grafts in areas that may recede later. Poor planning can make even a technically successful surgery look unnatural years down the line.
Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?
Stress can indeed cause hair loss, both in temporary and long-term ways. One common pattern is telogen effluvium, which occurs when stress pushes a larger-than-normal number of hair follicles into a resting (telogen) phase prematurely.
Typically appearing 2–3 months after a stressful event, this leads to noticeable shedding. The silver lining? It’s usually temporary and reversible.
On the flip side, chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which accelerates aging of the hair follicles. This stress hormone can impair scalp blood flow, reduce nutrient delivery, and increase inflammation.
Factors that contribute to miniaturization: thinning and weakening of hair over time. In individuals genetically predisposed to pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), these effects can speed up follicular shrinkage and visible hair thinning.
What you can do:
- Manage stress via mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and healthy sleep habits.
- Support hair with nutrition, including biotin, zinc, and iron.
- Consider early treatments such as minoxidil, finasteride, or PRP when needed.
- See a specialist if shedding persists for over six months or thinning becomes obvious.
Can you use someone else’s hair for a hair transplant?
In almost all cases you cannot use someone else’s hair for a hair transplant. Hair transplants are typically autologous, meaning they use the patient’s own follicles. If donor hair comes from another person, the immune system will reject it.
There are very rare exceptions, such as between identical twins who share the same DNA, or in unusual cases where a patient has had a bone marrow transplant from the donor, effectively sharing the same immune system.
Using immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection isn’t considered safe for a cosmetic procedure due to serious risks like infections, liver damage, and increased cancer risk.
Bottom line: For safe and effective results, only your own hair is used.
Are Hair Transplants Safe Today?
Yes. When done by licensed, experienced doctors, a hair transplant involves minimal risk. Since the procedure uses a local anesthetic, there’s no general anesthesia risk. Most patients only experience minor side effects like swelling or redness, which go away within a few days.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate?
Ideal candidates have:
- Stable hair loss (not actively shedding)
- Strong existing hair in the donor area
- Clear goals and realistic expectations.
You also need healthy skin and no serious scalp conditions. A consultation with a specialist will confirm if you’re eligible.
Proud members of:
When Hairline Transplants Are Recommended
Hairline transplants work well for those with receding front hairlines or temple loss. The goal is to restore natural framing to the face.
Our Technology: Nothing Less Than the Best
We use the most advanced equipment and tools available—because we believe your results are only as good as the tools and techniques behind them.
Microscopic Dissection: We use the highest-powered microscope on the market to separate follicles with precision.
Trivellini Mamba System: A state-of-the-art punch device that reduces trauma.
Graft Storage: We preserve grafts in HypoThermosol at 4°C to ensure optimal graft survival.
100% Doctor-Performed Procedures
No Nurses. No Outsourcing. Just Expert Hands.
At Trichogenics, your entire procedure is performed by a doctor—from start to finish. No part of your surgery is handed off to a nurse or technician.
You’ll also receive:
A thorough post-operative care session with your doctor
Direct communication with your doctor for any concerns
This high-touch approach gives our patients peace of mind and consistently outstanding outcomes.
Personalized, Inclusive Care
No two patients are the same—and neither are our surgeries. From hairline design to graft count and equipment selection, every detail is tailored to your individual needs, including the most challenging cases.
We’re equipped with a wide range of advanced tools and techniques, allowing us to adapt to even the most complex surgical scenarios with confidence.
We also go beyond the clinical. Your cultural, religious, and personal needs are respected at every step. Whether you need kosher meals, a private recovery space, or custom scheduling—we’re here to support you holistically.
Choosing the Right Clinic
Experience, expertise, and ethics matter. Trichogenics was founded by Dr. Asi and Dr. Eric Peretz, two leading doctors in the field of hair restoration.
Our approach is guided by safety, science, and personalization—delivering results that look natural and last. We offer both follicular unit transplantation FUT and follicular unit extraction techniques to match your needs.
If you’d like to learn more about our personalized hair restoration process, get in touch today.
Contact us
Don’t let hair loss stop you from feeling your best. Choose Trichogenics for high-quality, affordable hair restoration in Greece. Book your consultation today and take the first step to a more confident you! We’re here to answer all your questions and design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific hair restoration goals
+30 698 459 6522
Karatasou 1, Thessaloniki Greece
