Hair transplants are one option for people who are suffering from hair loss. This is a minor, outpatient surgical procedure that can be performed by a dermatological or cosmetic surgeon. If you're thinking about having hair transplants performed yourself, then you can learn more by reviewing the questions below.

Where does the hair come from?

There's a common misconception that the hair for hair transplants comes from cadavers or from another person. This is not the case. The hair will actually come from your own head. Your surgeon will take some tiny bits of hair from the parts of your scalp where your hair is thicker, and then move them to the parts of your head where the hair is thinner.

Can women have hair transplants?

These hair transplants are more common in men since men are more likely to suffer from baldness and hair loss. Performing a hair transplant in a woman is often harder, and this has to do with the way that women lose their hair. Men tend to go bald in patches, while the rest of their hair remains reasonably thick. Women tend to experience thinning hair all around, which makes it harder to find a place to remove hairs from. If a woman's hair loss pattern allows for it, then she can have hair transplants performed. However, not all women are candidates for hair transplants because of their balding patterns.

Are you put under anesthesia for a hair transplant?

Anesthesia is used, but not the kind of anesthesia you're probably thinking about. A local anesthetic will be used to numb the area the surgeon is working on. However, you will remain awake during the surgery. This means there should be no reason you have to fast prior to the procedure. You can likely drive yourself home, too.

What happens after a hair transplant?

After a transplant, your scalp will be sore for a few days. Once the area heals, you may lose some of the hairs that were transplanted. However, the hair follicles in the skin that was transplanted will grow new hairs within a few weeks. Your hair will slowly grow thicker over the coming months.

Now that these questions have been answered for you, getting a hair transplant should seem more approachable. If there's anything else you'd like to know about this procedure, ask a cosmetic surgeon in your area. They can give you advice that is better targeted to your unique situation. Keep these tips in mind when looking for therapeutic hair transplant services near you.