At first glance, considering hair transplants, also called plugs, may seem like a viable treatment for hair loss. Certainly more convenient than the daily soaking that’s required for results from Rogaine, and without the necessity of taking an oral medication, hair plugs could be the answer you’ve been looking for. For some, though, hair transplants remain too good to be true. The reality is that hair transplants are a very complex procedure, and results are largely mixed.

The Process

The idea of transplanting hair into the thinner areas of the scalp began in the 1950s. The procedure first involves cleaning and numbing the targeted areas. Next, the surgeon will remove a small section of scalp from an area of heavy, thick hair growth, like the back of the head. Next, the area is stitched closed. The scar from the removed scalp will be hidden within the surrounding hair.

The small section of scalp is next divided into several tiny little skin grafts, with each section divided up to contain a single hair, or perhaps a few individual hairs apiece. Your surgeon will decide how many grafts to make, and how many hairs each graft should have, based on several factors such as the area for transplant as well as your hair type and color. Tiny cuts are made in the scalp where the grafts will be placed, and the grafts are set into the incisions. A needle may also be used.

From start to finish, the entire process will take several hours. Depending on the results, another session may be necessary to get your ideal look. After surgery, expect your scalp to be delicate and sore. You may have to wear a bandage over the treated area at first, but should be able to return to work quite quickly. Although the transplanted hair will fall out, the transplanted follicles are the important part. If viable, new hairs will grow from the follicles at the next natural growth cycle.

Mixed Results

The cost of hair transplant is expensive, ranging in price from around $8000 at the low end all the way up to $15,000 in some cases, and is not often covered by insurance. Patients report mixed results and satisfaction ratings post-procedure. As with any surgery, there may be a chance of infection or excess bleeding. The new hair growth may not look quite natural, or the procedure could cause scarring.

Other Options

If getting hair transplants sounds like more of a risk than you’re willing to take, you may be a candidate for Propecia. By taking just a single pill every day, treatment with Propecia will result in slowing the current hair loss rate, while encouraging regrowth at the same time. Although approved for use only in men, the treatment is effective and safe, and also significantly less expensive than hair transplants, along with delivering more satisfactory and predictable results.