Hair Restoration and Hair Transplantation Consultation

Hair restoration, including hair transplantation (follicular unit excision and follicular unit transplantation).

What is a hair restoration consultation?

A hair restoration consultation is an appointment with a qualified medical practitioner to assess hair loss or thinning, identify possible causes, and discuss whether medical, non-surgical or surgical options may be appropriate.

Hair loss can have many causes, so assessment focuses first on understanding why it is happening. The consultation focuses on clinical assessment and suitability rather than promoting any treatment.

What areas does it address?

During the consultation, the practitioner may assess:

• The pattern of hair loss, such as a receding hairline, thinning at the crown or widening of the part
• Hair loss affecting the eyebrows or beard
• Scalp health and hair density
• Family history of hair loss
• Possible underlying causes, which may require blood tests or referral to a dermatologist
• Whether non-surgical options, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), may be considered
• Whether medical, non-surgical or surgical options may be suitable

Learn more about hair loss, including common causes and contributing factors.

Understanding the causes of hair loss

Common causes may include:

• Genetic pattern hair loss, which affects both men and women
• Hormonal changes, including after pregnancy or during menopause
• Thyroid conditions or iron deficiency
• Physical or emotional stress
• Autoimmune conditions, such as alopecia areata
• Certain medications or medical treatments

Sudden, patchy or rapid hair loss should be assessed by a GP or dermatologist.

Who may be referred for a hair restoration consultation

A GP may refer someone for assessment if they:

• Have ongoing hair loss or thinning
• Have had underlying medical causes investigated
• Wish to understand medical, non-surgical and surgical options
• Are considering hair transplantation

A referral does not mean surgery will be recommended. Suitability is confirmed only after full clinical assessment.

How suitability is determined

Suitability depends on several factors reviewed during consultation, including:

• General health and medical history
• The cause, pattern and stability of hair loss
• Donor hair density at the back and sides of the scalp
• Scalp condition
• Age and the likelihood of future hair loss
• Personal circumstances and expectations

Not all individuals will be candidates for hair transplantation. Your practitioner will explain the reasons you may or may not be suitable based on safety requirements and clinical findings.

Understanding what hair transplantation involves

If a practitioner believes hair transplantation may be appropriate, they will outline the general approach in a medical context. This may include broad information about:

• The difference between follicular unit excision (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT)
• How hair follicles are taken from a donor area and placed in thinning areas
• Whether more than one procedure may be discussed
• How non-surgical or medical management may be considered alongside surgery
• What is usually expected during early recovery

These discussions support informed consent only. The practitioner will also explain circumstances where hair transplantation is not advised.

Downtime and aftercare

If hair transplantation is advised, general recovery expectations may include:

• Swelling, redness and scabbing on the scalp
• Care of the donor and transplanted areas
• Temporary shedding of transplanted hair
• Avoiding strenuous activity and sun exposure in early recovery
• Scheduled follow-up visits and signs that require medical review

Recovery varies between individuals. Personalised instructions are provided during consultation.

Surgical or non-surgical?

Both
Assessment and medical management are non-surgical. Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that must be performed in an appropriately licensed facility.

Who performs this procedure?

In Australia:

• GPs and Specialist Dermatologists assess and medically manage hair loss
• Hair transplantation must be performed by a registered medical practitioner with appropriate surgical training, such as Specialist Plastic Surgeons or other medical practitioners who have completed recognised additional training in hair transplantation within their approved scope of practice

Patients are encouraged to:

• Confirm the practitioner’s qualifications
• Ask about their experience with hair restoration and hair transplantation
• Ensure the facility meets Australian standards
• Discuss aftercare and follow-up planning

Is a referral required

If hair transplantation is being considered, the following applies.

Yes. People considering elective cosmetic surgery need to follow a regulated pathway designed to support informed and safe decision making. Every person must complete the following steps before any procedure can be booked:

• A current GP referral is required before seeing a surgeon. This helps ensure your broader health needs are reviewed and that cosmetic surgery is the right pathway to explore.

• You must attend a minimum of two consultations with the surgeon who would perform the operation. At least one of these appointments must occur in person. These consultations allow time to review your medical history, assess suitability and discuss risks in detail.

• A cooling off period is required after the final consent appointment. This time is set aside for you to think carefully about the information provided, ask more questions if needed and decide whether to proceed.

These steps apply to all elective cosmetic surgery in Australia. They are in place to support careful consideration and protect patient safety.

Risks and considerations

All procedures carry risks. Hair transplantation may involve:

• Bleeding, swelling or infection
• Scarring at the donor site, including a linear scar with FUT
• Numbness or changes in scalp sensation
• Inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis)
• Temporary shedding of existing hair
• An appearance that may not meet expectations, or uneven density
• Ongoing hair loss in untreated areas
• The possibility of further procedures

A full risk discussion forms part of informed consent. All risks will be explained during your consultation, including how they relate to your individual circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

Who should I see about hair loss in Australia
Start with your GP, who can investigate possible causes and refer you to a dermatologist or other specialist if needed.

Is hair loss treatment covered by Medicare
Medicare may contribute to GP and specialist consultations to investigate hair loss. Hair transplantation for cosmetic reasons is not eligible. Medicare criteria can change over time, so check eligibility at the time of your consultation.

What is the difference between FUE and FUT
FUE removes individual follicles from the donor area, while FUT removes a strip of scalp from which follicles are taken. Each has different scarring and recovery considerations, which your practitioner will explain.

Is PRP used for hair loss
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is prepared from a sample of your own blood and is offered by some practitioners for hair loss. Evidence for its use is still developing, and outcomes vary between individuals. In Australia, PRP must be performed by a registered health practitioner working within their scope of practice. Your practitioner will discuss whether it may be appropriate for you and what the current evidence shows. Find verified practitioners who offer PRP hair consultations.

Can women have hair restoration
Yes. Hair loss affects people of all genders, and assessment of possible causes is particularly important for women. Your practitioner will explain which options may be appropriate.

What can affect hair after a transplant
How hair changes over time varies between individuals. Ongoing hair loss in surrounding areas, age, health and the underlying cause of hair loss may all play a role. Your practitioner will explain what may apply in your circumstances.

When can I return to work or exercise
This varies depending on the technique used. Your practitioner will provide a personalised recovery timeline.