Hair Transplant and PRF: Risks, Recovery and Important Information

1. What a hair transplant involves

A hair transplant relocates hair follicles from a donor area, usually the back and sides of the scalp, to areas of thinning or loss.

At Elite Hair Clinic we use follicular unit extraction (FUE). Individual follicular units are removed from the donor area using small circular punches, then implanted into the recipient area. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic.

Transplanted follicles are taken from an area of the scalp that is generally resistant to the hormonal process driving male pattern hair loss. This is why transplanted hair typically persists.

Importantly, this applies only to the hair that is transplanted. Your existing, non-transplanted hair can continue to thin. A transplant redistributes hair; it does not create new hair or stop the underlying process.

2. Alternatives to consider

A hair transplant is not the only option, and for some people it is not the best one. Alternatives include:

Doing nothing. Hair loss is a normal variation, not a medical problem requiring treatment. Choosing not to treat it is a legitimate decision.

Hair loss medication. Prescription hair loss medication, applied topically or orally.

Low-level laser therapy.

Platelet-rich fibrin.

Scalp micropigmentation. A cosmetic tattooing technique creating the appearance of density or a shaved look. It does not grow hair.

Hair systems, hairpieces, and camouflage products such as keratin fibres.

Your doctor will discuss which of these are relevant to you.

3. Who may not be suitable

A hair transplant is not appropriate for everyone. Your suitability is assessed at consultation. Factors that may make you unsuitable, or mean surgery should be deferred, include:

• Insufficient donor density. The donor area is a finite resource. If it can’t supply enough grafts to meaningfully cover the area of loss, surgery may produce a disappointing result or deplete the donor area.
• Diffuse or unpatterned hair loss, where the donor area is also affected.
• Age. In younger people the eventual pattern of hair loss cannot yet be predicted, and operating early can produce a result that looks wrong as loss progresses.
• Active scalp conditions, including inflammatory or scarring hair loss conditions, which generally need diagnosis and stabilisation first and may be a contraindication.
• Alopecia areata and other non-androgenetic causes, which generally do not respond to transplantation.
• Certain medical conditions and medications, including bleeding disorders and anticoagulant therapy.
• Smoking, which impairs healing and increases complication risk.
• A history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring.
• Expectations that cannot realistically be met. If what you want isn’t achievable with the donor hair available, we will tell you.
• Body dysmorphic disorder or significant distress about appearance. Cosmetic procedures rarely resolve this and can worsen it. Where we have concerns, we will discuss them with you and may recommend you speak to your GP or a mental health professional before proceeding.

If we assess that you are not suitable, we will tell you and discuss alternatives. We would rather decline a procedure than perform one that won’t serve you.

4. Risks and side effects of hair transplant surgery

Common – expected in many or most patients

Discomfort. Local anaesthetic is used, and the injection of anaesthetic itself is uncomfortable. Discomfort during the procedure is usually well controlled. Soreness in the donor and recipient areas afterwards is common for several days.

Swelling. Swelling of the forehead and around the eyes is common, typically appearing in the first few days and settling within about a week. It can be pronounced and is occasionally alarming to patients who weren’t expecting it.

Redness. The recipient area is usually visibly red or pink after the procedure. This typically settles over weeks to a few months, but can persist longer, particularly in people with fair skin.

Crusting and scabbing. Small crusts form around each graft and typically clear within one to two weeks with the washing routine we provide. They must not be picked or scratched.

Minor bleeding and bruising at donor or recipient sites.

Itching, numbness and altered sensation. Numbness in the donor or recipient area is common and usually resolves over weeks to months. In a small number of people, altered sensation persists longer.

Shock loss (telogen effluvium). Existing hair in and around the treated area may shed temporarily after surgery. This is usually temporary and regrows, but it can be distressing and can mean your hair looks worse before it looks better.

Shedding of transplanted hair. The transplanted hairs themselves usually shed in the weeks after surgery. This is expected and does not mean the grafts have failed — the follicle remains.

Donor area scarring. FUE avoids the linear scar associated with strip harvesting, but it does leave small circular scars at each extraction point. These are usually inconspicuous but are permanent and can become visible if you shave or clip your hair very short.

Less common

Folliculitis – inflammation of hair follicles in the recipient area, sometimes needing treatment.

Infection. Uncommon given the scalp’s blood supply, but possible with any procedure involving incisions.

Ingrown hairs as transplanted follicles regrow.

Cysts. Small benign cysts can form where follicles become trapped beneath the skin.

Pigmentation changes – temporary lightening or darkening of skin in treated areas.

Poor graft survival. Not all transplanted grafts necessarily grow. Factors including smoking, underlying health conditions, and not following aftercare can reduce survival.

Rare

Hypertrophic or keloid scarring, depending on individual healing.

Reaction to local anaesthetic or medications used during the procedure, ranging from mild to, very rarely, severe.

Vasovagal episodes – feeling faint during the procedure.

Donor area over-harvesting. Removing too many grafts can leave visible thinning or patchiness in the donor area. This is difficult to correct.

Unnatural appearance. If grafts are placed at incorrect angle, direction or density, hair can grow in a way that looks obviously transplanted. Corrective procedures may be needed and are not always fully effective.

Skin necrosis. Very rare. Risk is higher in smokers and people with impaired circulation.

Persistent pain or nerve-related symptoms beyond the usual recovery period.

A result you are unhappy with. This is a real risk of any cosmetic procedure, including a technically successful one.

5. Recovery

First week

Swelling, redness and tenderness in both areas. Crusts form. You’ll receive specific washing instructions and should follow them precisely. Sleeping position matters – we’ll explain how. Avoid strenuous activity, alcohol and smoking. Avoid direct sun on the scalp.

Time off work: most people take several days. How long depends on how visible the treated area is and how comfortable you are being seen during early healing. Physically demanding work requires longer.

Weeks two to four

Crusts typically clear in the first two weeks. Shedding of transplanted hair commonly begins in this period and is expected. Continue avoiding strenuous exercise, swimming and contact sport.

Months one to three

The treated area usually looks similar to, or thinner than, before surgery. This is the hardest phase psychologically and it is normal.

Months three to six

Early regrowth typically begins. New hair often emerges fine and lighter before thickening.

Months six to twelve

Density and texture continue developing. Meaningful change is usually visible by around six months, with results generally assessed at twelve months.

Beyond twelve months

Results continue refining, up to around eighteen months. Assessing your result before twelve to eighteen months will not reflect the final outcome.

Recovery varies significantly between individuals depending on age, general health, procedure size, and how closely aftercare is followed.

6. PRF (platelet-rich fibrin)

What it is

A sample of your blood is taken and processed to concentrate the platelet fraction, which is then injected into the scalp.

What the evidence shows

Randomised controlled trials of PRF in androgenetic alopecia exist and some report improvements in hair density. However, the literature is characterised by small sample sizes, highly variable preparation protocols (centrifugation speed, platelet concentration, activation method, injection schedule), short follow-up, and inconsistent outcome measures. Systematic reviews generally conclude that PRF may improve hair density but that the quality of evidence is limited and protocols are not standardised.

In plain terms: PRF may help some people, the evidence is developing rather than settled, and response varies considerably between individuals. We cannot predict whether it will work for you.

Risks

• Pain or discomfort during injection
• Bruising, swelling and tenderness at injection sites
• Bleeding
• Vasovagal episodes
• Headache
• Temporary increased shedding after treatment
• Infection – uncommon, as the procedure is performed under aseptic conditions
• Reaction to anticoagulants or additives used in preparation

Because PRF uses your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction to the injected material itself is very low. This does not make the procedure risk-free, and any claim that it is should be treated with caution.

Important

PRF is not a cure for hair loss and does not stop the underlying process. Any benefit is generally not permanent. Whether repeat treatment is appropriate is a clinical decision made with your doctor based on your response – not a fixed schedule, and not something we ask you to commit to in advance.

7. What a hair transplant cannot do

• It does not stop ongoing hair loss. Non-transplanted hair can continue to thin, and further loss may create a patchy appearance over time. Ongoing medical treatment may be recommended to help maintain your result.
• It does not create new hair. It redistributes existing hair. Your donor area is finite.
• It does not guarantee a specific density or appearance. Outcomes depend on donor characteristics, hair calibre, colour contrast against your scalp, extent of loss, age and healing.
• It may not be a single procedure. Further sessions may be needed for additional density or to address continued loss.
• It cannot resolve distress about appearance that has causes beyond the appearance itself.

8. Making an informed decision

Before proceeding you should be able to:

• Ask any question and get a clear answer from your treating doctor
• Understand the realistic range of outcomes for your situation, including the less good ones
• Understand alternatives, including doing nothing
• Know who will perform your procedure and what their registration is
• Review and sign a detailed consent form
• Take as much time as you need, without pressure

Consider getting a second opinion. For a procedure of this cost and permanence, that’s a reasonable thing to do, and we won’t discourage it.

If you have concerns at any point, raise them with us directly. You may withdraw consent at any time before your procedure.

9. Your treating practitioner

Dr William Jarvis – Medical Practitioner, General Registration AHPRA registration number MED0002194798

You can verify the registration of any Australian health practitioner on the AHPRA public register at ahpra.gov.au.

10. Questions

If anything on this page is unclear, or you’d like to discuss any of it before booking, contact us:

02 5564 2115
contact_us@elitehairclinic.com.au
701 – 135/137 Macquarie St, Sydney, 2000

This page provides general information only and does not constitute medical advice or replace a clinical consultation with a registered medical practitioner. Individual risks, recovery and outcomes vary.

All procedures at Elite Hair Clinic are performed by or under the supervision of registered medical practitioners. This document has been prepared with reference to the AHPRA Guidelines for advertising higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures (September 2025).