Hair Transplant FAQ: 20 Questions Answered by Our Experts
Before a hair transplant, we all have the same questions in mind, even if we don't always feel comfortable asking them. Does it hurt? What does it really cost? Will people be able to tell?
At New Hair Graft, we believe that a confident decision starts with honest answers. Here are the questions our patients ask us most often, with clear, straightforward answers and nothing off limits.
In this article:
- Before you decide
- Pain and the procedure
- The results
- The worries we rarely dare to voice
- Budget and Mauritius
- The team and the clinic
Before you decide
Am I a good candidate for a hair transplant?
Most people experiencing hair loss can consider a transplant, but it is never automatic. Everything depends on the quality of your donor area (at the back and sides of the scalp), the extent of the hair loss and your expectations. This is precisely the purpose of the hair diagnosis: to determine whether a transplant is the right solution for you, and what it can realistically achieve. If it is not, we will tell you honestly.
Is there an ideal age, or an age that is too young?
There is no perfect age, but timing matters. In very young patients, hair loss has not always stabilised: transplanting too early can lead to a result that becomes unbalanced over time. On the other hand, there is no upper age limit, provided the donor area is sufficient and your health allows it. The diagnosis helps us assess how far your hair loss has progressed and plan the procedure at the right time.
How many grafts will I need?
It is one of the questions we hear most often, and the answer is always personal. The number of grafts depends on the area to be covered, the density you would like and your hair type. Be wary of figures quoted without an examination: a reliable estimate can only be made after assessing your scalp. During the diagnosis, we give you a realistic range, without inflating the numbers.
Pain and the procedure
Does it hurt?
It is the question everyone asks. The reassuring answer: the procedure itself is not painful. It is performed under local anaesthesia. The only slightly sensitive moment is the anaesthetic micro-injections at the very beginning, a brief discomfort similar to small pinpricks. After that, you feel neither the extraction nor the implantation. In the days that follow, some mild tenderness may appear, which is easily managed with the recommended aftercare.
How long does the procedure take?
The procedure takes one day. It is punctuated by regular breaks and a lunch break, and it is not an ordeal: you stay relaxed and can watch television, listen to music or chat with the team. Most patients are surprised by how quickly the day goes by. We describe each stage in our article on how an FUE hair transplant works.
Will I need to shave my head?
Not necessarily. It depends on the area to be treated. In some cases, only the donor area is shaved; in others, an approach without a full shave is possible. We discuss this together, taking into account your situation and your constraints, such as your professional life and the level of discretion you would like.
The results
Will the result look natural?
This is what a successful transplant is all about, and it is also where everything is decided. A natural look depends entirely on the hands performing the procedure: angle, direction, depth, density and the design of the hairline. Each graft must be placed to reproduce the way hair would naturally grow.
A transplant entrusted to inexperienced technicians can produce a result that shows: a hairline that is too straight or artificial, grafts implanted at the wrong angle, uneven density, a doll-like appearance. These flaws are difficult to correct afterwards. By contrast, a transplant performed by an experienced surgeon and team is simply undetectable.
A good result is precisely one that goes unnoticed, except for the difference it makes to your appearance. The most important advice we can give you is simple: choose a centre whose surgeons and team have genuine experience.
When will I see the results?
Patience is needed, and it is important to know this in advance. The transplanted hairs often fall out in the first few weeks: this is normal and expected. Real regrowth begins from the third month, and the full result is revealed between the ninth and twelfth months. A hair transplant is a transformation that builds over time, not an instant effect.
Is a hair transplant permanent?
Yes. Hairs taken from the donor area are genetically programmed not to fall out. Once implanted and well established, they continue to grow naturally, for life. This is what gives a transplant its real value compared with treatments that have to be taken continuously.
What if I keep losing hair elsewhere?
It is a real question, and one that is often overlooked. A transplant treats thinning areas, but it does not stop the natural progression of hair loss affecting your original hair. That is why good planning anticipates this progression, and why support with complementary treatments may be recommended to preserve a harmonious result over the long term.
The worries we rarely dare to voice
Will people be able to tell I've had a transplant?
During the healing phase, which lasts one to two weeks, small scabs and slight redness are visible: this is temporary. Many patients plan this period discreetly. Once regrowth is established, nothing gives the procedure away. Discretion is part of our care, from booking your appointment through to follow-up.
Will there be scars?
With the FUE technique, there is no linear scar. The grafts are extracted one by one, leaving only tiny dots in the donor area, which fade within a few days. This is one of the great advantages of this method over older techniques.
What are the risks and side effects?
Let us be transparent: like any medical procedure, a hair transplant involves some normal after-effects, such as redness, slight temporary swelling, mild tenderness and temporary scabs. Serious complications are rare when the procedure is carried out in the right conditions, by an experienced team and with rigorous follow-up. During the consultation, we review your situation to rule out any contraindications.
What if I'm not happy with the result?
It is an understandable concern. The best prevention is setting realistic expectations from the very start: we would rather be honest about what is achievable than promise the impossible. Our post-procedure follow-up is designed to support you through every stage of regrowth and to answer your questions throughout your journey. Our patients say it best.
Budget and Mauritius
How much does a hair transplant cost?
Our hair transplants start from €1,800, with the final price depending on the number of grafts and your goals. We also offer all-inclusive packages from €2,100, which include return airport transfers and hotel nights, so you have nothing to worry about from the day you arrive until the day you fly home.
What matters most is comparing what is actually included (the procedure, support, follow-up and on-site logistics) rather than a simple headline price. During the diagnosis, you receive a clear, personalised estimate with no obligation.
Why is it more affordable in Mauritius than in Europe?
The price difference does not come from lower quality, but from the cost of living and the local structure. New Hair Graft applies international standards within a serious medical setting, while offering more affordable prices than in Europe. We explain this further in our article on the 7 reasons to choose Mauritius.
Do I need to stay in Mauritius for long?
A short stay is usually enough, covering the procedure and a first check-up. To make things as simple as possible, our all-inclusive packages from €2,100 cover return airport transfers and hotel nights. We let you know in advance the recommended length of stay and the precautions to take for your journey home.
The team and the clinic
How were your surgeons and teams trained?
This is probably the most important question of all. Behind every natural-looking transplant, there is an experienced hand and a well-practised team. Our centre was founded by two of the most experienced doctors in the Indian Ocean region, who together bring more than 25 years of expertise and more than 10,000 transplants performed.
Dr Daoud Ingar, a graduate of the Paris Faculty of Medicine, is one of the pioneers of hair transplantation in Mauritius. Dr Arthur Movsisyan, trained in plastic surgery, maxillofacial surgery and microsurgery in Russia, Italy, Spain, France and the United States, is the only surgeon in the Indian Ocean region certified by the ISHRS.
Where are you located?
Our centre is based within the C-Care private clinic in Grand Baie, Mauritius. C-Care is one of the island's leading healthcare groups: you benefit from modern hospital facilities and genuine medical supervision, in a calm environment that supports recovery. The island is served by many direct flights, and our all-inclusive packages include return airport transfers and your hotel nights.
What is ISHRS certification?
The ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) is the largest international medical organisation dedicated to hair transplantation, founded in 1993. It brings together leading surgeons from around the world and sets the standards for the profession: quality of practice, ethics, safety, continuing education and research.
For you as a patient, it is a simple and reliable benchmark. In a sector where almost anyone can open a clinic, this affiliation distinguishes the professionals who are genuinely committed to quality. Dr Arthur Movsisyan has been an active member of the ISHRS since 2008 and is the only surgeon in the Indian Ocean region certified by the society. He also takes part in Operation Restore, the ISHRS volunteer programme that helps victims of burns, trauma and illegal clinics.
Any other questions?
No question is too small before such a personal decision. The best way to get answers tailored to your situation is to speak with a specialist who examines your individual case. Our hair diagnosis is personalised, free and with no obligation. Book yours.
