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The demand for — a procedure that uses the patient’s own follicles to fill in bald areas — has grown in Brazil and around the world. According to the most recent census by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), released in 2025, the proportion of men interested in transplantation increased from 13% to 18% in the last three years.
Around 6,000 hair transplants are performed annually in Brazil, and doctors report a 20% increase in the number of patients, according to the latest census by the Brazilian Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABCRC), carried out in 2023.
The trend is not restricted to the scalp: procedures on beards and mustaches already represent around 5% of cases. According to the survey, 12% of women who seek the technique intend to improve the appearance of their eyebrows.
The search is motivated by different reasons. Many patients report the desire to feel more attractive, while others say they want to look younger to remain “competitive” in the job market.
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“There are several factors behind the increase in demand, including greater popularization as it is an apparently simple, less invasive technique, without cuts or sutures. This has led to a proliferation of clinics with more attractive prices”, says plastic surgeon Henrique Radwanski, member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery and former president of ABCRC.
In Brazil, any doctor can perform the procedure. However, the specialist. “The problem is to do it with non-doctors, in places without a surgical center, nor the presence of an anesthetist or adequate structure”, warns Radwanski.
Below, find out more about the indications, techniques and care after the procedure:
1. Who seeks the transplant?
More than 80% of patients who undergo hair transplantation are men with androgenetic alopecia — a hereditary and progressive condition responsible for hair loss in around half of men over the age of 50.
Although more common among men, the technique is also sought after by women. Among the main reasons are correcting a high forehead or hair thinning resulting from hormonal changes, medication use or nutritional imbalances.
Transplantation can also be indicated in specific situations, such as after-effects of trauma, burns or surgeries, correcting flaws left by aesthetic procedures such as face lifts, in which there has been a displacement of the hairline, or visible scars that bring some embarrassment.
“In general, people resort to transplantation when clinical treatments are no longer sufficient to recover areas with hair loss”, says dermatologist Barbara Miguel, from Einstein Hospital Israelita.
2. For which cases is it recommended?
Hair transplantation is indicated when there is a definitive loss of hair follicles — that is, when there is no longer potential for natural hair growth — or when available treatments fail to restore the desired hair density. Key indications include:
- Androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness), when rarefaction is already advanced;
- Scars resulting from trauma, burns, surgeries or other conditions that prevent hair growth in the region;
- Congenital or acquired defects, such as the so-called “high forehead” or areas lacking hair since birth;
- Stable cicatricial alopecia, in which the inflammatory process has already been controlled and the condition is under medical monitoring.
Before the indication, it is essential to carry out a complete dermatological evaluation, which involves confirming the diagnosis, ruling out active scalp diseases and analyzing the viability of the donor area — the region from where the follicles will be removed for the implant. “In many cases, the transplant is also associated with complementary therapies, such as the use of topical and oral medications, to enhance the results and prolong their durability”, points out the Einstein doctor.
3. What is the procedure like?
Hair transplantation is a detailed surgical procedure, which consists of removing hair follicles from areas where hair is genetically more resistant to hair loss — generally the side and back of the scalp — and implanting them in areas with rarefaction or absence of hair.
There are two main techniques: the oldest, known as FUT, involves removing a strip of scalp, from which the follicles are extracted before implantation. Despite allowing faster collection, this method has fallen into disuse as it leaves scars that can become visible and cause greater discomfort post-operatively.
The most commonly used technique today is FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), which does not require the use of a scalpel and sutures. In this case, the follicles are removed individually using small punctures, generally between 2,000 and 2,500 units, which need to be carefully manipulated to preserve the hair bulb.
They are then implanted one by one in the receiving region, respecting the natural direction of hair growth. The surgery usually lasts eight to ten hours, performed under sedation and local anesthesia, and has high success rates — in general, more than 90% of the implanted follicles develop normally.
When the objective is to restore eyebrows or other delicate areas, the process requires even more precision, as the hairs — also taken from the scalp — need to be positioned with special attention to angle and density. When well conducted by a specialized team, the procedure has a low risk of complications.
4. What is the post-operative period like and what precautions should you take?
The hair transplant post-operative period is usually peaceful, but requires attention to some recommendations to ensure good healing and the success of the procedure. Soon after surgery, the implanted roots enter a resting phase — known as the telogen phase — and only begin to produce new hairs around three months later. After around six months, it is already possible to observe approximately half of the permanent hair coverage, while the complete result usually appears between 10 and 12 months.
In the first few days, healing happens quickly, usually between 24 and 48 hours, but: it is important to maintain adequate scalp hygiene to prevent infections, washing your hair as advised by your doctor.
It is also essential to avoid trauma to the transplanted region, in addition to suspending intense physical activities, contact sports, sea and pool bathing and direct exposure to the sun for at least one month. Following these recommendations correctly helps ensure the fixation of the follicles and optimize the growth of new hair.
5. What to expect from the transplant?
Despite advances in techniques and the natural results that can be achieved, it is essential to have realistic expectations regarding hair transplantation. The procedure significantly improves the density and appearance of the hair, but is not able to restore exactly the volume that the person had in their youth. “We have to align expectations. You won’t have the hair you had when you were 20 years old again and it’s important for the doctor not to make promises and explain that the surgery is not for everyone”, warns Radwanski.
Furthermore, transplantation does not eliminate the need for ongoing care. “Even after the transplant, the patient must maintain dermatological monitoring and clinical treatment of alopecia, which is essential to preserve the results and prevent progression of the disease in non-transplanted areas”, adds Barbara Miguel.
Source: Einstein Agency
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