Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Welcome to the Alvora Hair Clinic Knowledge Hub. We believe in total transparency and patient education. Explore our categorized FAQ guide below to find clear, expert answers to common questions about hair loss, surgical restoration, and non-surgical treatments.
General & Common Hair Loss Questions
What are the most common causes of hair loss in men and women?
Hair loss is primarily driven by genetics (Androgenetic Alopecia), where hair follicles are sensitive to the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Other major contributors include chronic stress, hormonal shifts (thyroid imbalances, post-pregnancy, or menopause), nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin D, B12), scalp infections, and harsh styling practices.
How can I tell if my hair loss is temporary or permanent?
Temporary hair loss (like Telogen Effluvium) typically presents as sudden, diffuse shedding across the whole scalp following stress, illness, or diet changes, and hair usually regrows within 3 to 6 months once the trigger is resolved. Permanent hair loss usually follows a progressive pattern—such as a receding hairline, widening part line, or thinning crown—where hair roots gradually shrink (miniaturize) over time.
What is DHT and how does it cause baldness?
DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) is an androgen hormone derived from testosterone. In genetically susceptible individuals, DHT binds to receptors in hair follicles along the top of the scalp. This causes the follicles to shrink, produce thinner hair shafts, and eventually stop producing hair entirely. Donor hair at the back and sides of the head is genetically resistant to DHT.
At what age can someone get a hair transplant?
While a hair transplant can legally be performed on any adult over 18, surgeons generally recommend waiting until at least age 23–25. Performing a hair transplant too early, before your natural hair loss pattern has stabilized, can leave unnatural sparse patches behind the transplanted hairline as native hair continues to shed.
Can hair loss be stopped without surgery?
Yes. Early to moderate hair loss can often be slowed, halted, or partially reversed using non-surgical medical therapies. Clinical treatments like PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), GFC (Growth Factor Concentrate), laser therapy, and FDA-approved medications (such as Finasteride and Minoxidil) help strengthen struggling hair roots and prevent further thinning.
What is the difference between hair shedding and hair loss?
It is completely normal to shed between 50 to 100 strands of hair per day as part of the natural hair growth cycle. Hair shedding becomes hair loss when the shed hairs are not replaced by healthy new growth, or when the new growing strands are noticeably thinner and weaker than the previous ones.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for hair restoration?
An ideal candidate has stable donor hair density at the back or sides of the head, reasonable expectations, good overall physical health, and a clear diagnosis of the underlying cause of hair loss. A personal consultation and digital trichoscopy evaluation at Alvora Hair Clinic will confirm your suitability.
Does stress directly cause hair loss?
Yes. Severe emotional or physical stress can force a large number of growing hair follicles into a resting phase simultaneously. This condition, called Telogen Effluvium, causes noticeable hair shedding roughly 2 to 3 months after the stressful event occurred.
Can poor diet and vitamin deficiencies trigger hair thinning?
Absolutely. Hair follicles are among the most metabolically active cells in the human body. Deficiencies in ferritin (iron stores), vitamin D3, zinc, vitamin B12, and essential proteins weaken the hair root structure, leading to brittle strands, reduced growth rates, and increased shedding.
Surgical Treatments (FUE, QHT, Unshaven, Beard, Eyebrow)
What is the difference between FUE and FUT hair transplants?
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) involves surgically removing a strip of skin from the back of the scalp, leaving a linear scar. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is an advanced, minimally invasive method where individual follicle units are harvested one by one using micro-punches, leaving tiny, virtually invisible micro-dots and zero linear scarring.
What is QHT (Quick Hair Transplant) and how does it work?
QHT is an advanced, high-efficiency procedural framework focused on minimizing the time harvested hair grafts spend outside the body. By synchronizing extraction, chilled nutrient preservation, and immediate micro-implantation, QHT protects graft vitality, yields higher survival rates, and speeds up post-op scalp recovery.
Can I get a hair transplant without shaving my head?
Yes. An Unshaven Hair Transplant (U-FUE) allows you to restore your hairline or density without shaving your recipient or donor areas. Our surgical team extracts and implants grafts directly between your existing long hair strands, keeping the entire procedure completely discreet.
How does a Beard or Moustache Hair Transplant work?
Facial hair transplants involve extracting permanent, coarse hair follicles from the lower back of your scalp and delicately implanting them into sparse or patchy areas across the cheeks, jawline, chin, or upper lip. Grafts are placed at extremely flat, acute angles to ensure the growing facial hair lays flat against the skin naturally.
Is an Eyebrow Reconstruction transplant permanent?
Yes. Eyebrow restoration uses fine, single-hair grafts harvested from the donor area to rebuild or thicken sparse, over-plucked, or scarred eyebrows. Once transplanted, these hair roots grow permanently and can be trimmed and shaped just like natural brow hair.
How many grafts will I need for full coverage?
Graft requirements depend on the extent of your hair loss. Temple touch-ups or minor hairline fixes usually require 1,000 to 1,800 grafts, mid-scalp and hairline restoration requires 2,000 to 3,000 grafts, and extensive, full-scalp baldness may require 3,500 to 5,000+ grafts over one or two sessions.
Is a hair transplant procedure painful
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, which completely numbs both the donor and recipient zones. You will feel a few mild pinpricks during the initial anesthesia administration, but the procedure itself is entirely painless. You can relax, watch movies, or listen to music throughout the day.
Will my transplanted hair look completely natural?
Yes. Natural results depend on surgeon expertise. At Alvora Hair Clinic, we carefully design soft, age-appropriate hairlines, place single-hair grafts at the leading edge, and match the exact natural exit angle, direction, and density distribution of your native hair.
Can hair be transplanted from other parts of the body (Body Hair Transplant)?
Yes. If your scalp donor area has limited density, body hair from the beard (under the jawline) or chest can be harvested as secondary donor sources using micro-FUE techniques to supplement overall scalp density.
Are the results of a hair transplant permanent?
Yes, absolutely. Because the transplanted hair roots are taken from DHT-resistant donor zones, they retain their genetic memory and resistance to hair loss. Once anchored, they continue to grow naturally for the rest of your life.
Non-Surgical Treatments (PRP, GFC, SMP)
What is PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy and how does it help hair?
PRP therapy involves drawing a small sample of your blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to isolate growth-factor-rich platelets, and injecting that concentrated plasma into thinning areas of the scalp. The growth factors reactivate weak hair roots, increase local blood circulation, and reduce hair shedding.
What is GFC (Growth Factor Concentrate) and how is it different from PRP?
GFC is a next-generation, acellular growth factor therapy. While PRP contains whole platelets and residual blood cells, GFC extracts only the pure growth factors into an acellular serum. GFC delivers up to 10″x” higher concentrations of growth factors, requires fewer sessions, and causes zero post-injection swelling or pain.
What is Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)?
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that deposits specialized, organic micro-pigments into the upper dermis layer of the scalp. It creates the optical illusion of a crisp, full, freshly shaved head of hair or adds shadow density under thinning long hair.
Can SMP cover up past hair transplant scars?
Yes. SMP is one of the most effective methods in the world for camouflaging linear FUT strip scars and circular FUE micro-scars. By depositing color-matched pigment into white scar tissue, it blends the scar smoothly into the surrounding native hair.
Will SMP pigment turn blue or green like a traditional tattoo?
No. Body tattoos use deep placement and inks that split into secondary pigments over time. SMP utilizes medical-grade, organic carbon pigments placed precisely in the shallow upper dermis. They do not turn blue or green; they simply stay true to shade and fade lighter over 3 to 5 years.
How many sessions of PRP or GFC are required?
For PRP, a standard protocol consists of 3 to 4 initial sessions spaced 4 weeks apart. For GFC, due to its higher potency, 3 sessions are typically recommended. Both therapies benefit from a maintenance touch-up session every 6 months to sustain density.
Is there any downtime after PRP, GFC, or SMP treatments?
Virtually none. PRP and GFC are 45-minute outpatient procedures with zero medical downtime; you can resume work immediately. SMP may cause mild scalp redness for 24 to 48 hours, but you can return to light daily routines right away.
Can PRP or GFC grow hair on a completely smooth, bald scalp?
No. PRP and GFC rely on living, miniaturized hair follicles under the skin. If an area has been completely bald for years and the hair roots have died, non-surgical therapies cannot grow new roots. An FUE hair transplant is required to restore hair in bald zones.
How long do Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) results last?
SMP results typically last between 3 to 5 years before natural immune processes gradually lighten the pigment. A quick, light touch-up session every few years keeps the color looking crisp and fresh.
Can non-surgical therapies be combined with a hair transplant?
Yes. Combining PRP or GFC with an FUE hair transplant is highly recommended. It accelerates graft anchorage, speeds up post-operative scalp healing, and protects surrounding native hair from temporary shock shedding.
Specific Hair & Scalp Conditions
What is Androgenetic Alopecia?
Androgenetic Alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, is a genetically inherited condition caused by hair follicle sensitivity to DHT. It causes progressive hair thinning in a predictable pattern—hairline recession and crown baldness in men, and diffuse part-line thinning in women.
What is Alopecia Areata and can it be treated with a hair transplant?
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing sudden round, smooth bald patches. Hair transplants are generally not recommended during active Alopecia Areata because the immune system can attack the new grafts. It is best managed with anti-inflammatory medical therapies or camouflaged with SMP once stabilized.
What is Traction Alopecia?
Traction Alopecia is hair loss caused by chronic, persistent pulling on the hair roots due to tight hairstyles like braids, dreadlocks, ponytails, or heavy hair extensions over time. If caught early, it can be reversed by changing hairstyles; if the roots are permanently scarred, an FUE hair transplant can restore the hairline.
What is Telogen Effluvium?
Telogen Effluvium is a form of temporary hair loss triggered by severe physiological or emotional stress, high fever, major surgery, severe infection, or sudden crash dieting. It causes a large number of hair roots to enter the resting phase prematurely, leading to widespread shedding 2 to 3 months later.
Can a hair transplant cover up scars from accidents, burns, or surgery?
Yes. Hair follicles can be successfully transplanted into scar tissue (including surgical scars, burn scars, or trauma marks), provided there is adequate underlying blood supply. Techniques like QHT and micro-FUE help maximize graft survival in textured scar matrices.
How does female pattern hair loss differ from male pattern hair loss?
Men usually experience localized, complete baldness starting at the temples and crown. Women rarely go completely bald; instead, female pattern hair loss presents as diffuse, widespread thinning across the top of the scalp, leading to a widening center part line while keeping the frontal hairline intact.
Can scalp infections or severe dandruff cause permanent hair loss?
Chronic scalp inflammation caused by severe seborrheic dermatitis, fungal infections, or psoriasis can damage hair roots and disrupt normal growth cycles, leading to temporary shedding. Prompt medical scalp treatment prevents permanent follicle damage.
What is hair follicle miniaturization?
Miniaturization is the biological process where hair follicles progressively shrink under the influence of DHT or poor circulation. With each growth cycle, the follicle produces a shorter, finer, and lighter hair shaft until the root eventually shuts down completely.
Can hair loss caused by thyroid disorders be restored?
Hair loss triggered by hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism usually improves once thyroid hormone levels are stabilized through proper medical treatment. Non-surgical therapies like GFC and PRP can help speed up follicle recovery once hormones are balanced.
What is "Shock Loss" after a hair transplant?
Shock loss is a temporary shedding of existing native hairs surrounding the transplanted area, caused by trauma and localized swelling during surgery. It is a temporary resting phase; the shed native hairs typically start growing back alongside the new grafts within 3 to 4 months.
Pre/Post-Care, Recovery & Clinic Guidelines
How long is the recovery time after a hair transplant?
Physical skin recovery takes about 7 to 10 days, during which tiny pinpoint crusts form and naturally flake off. Most patients return to light desk work within 3 to 5 days. Full cosmetic maturity of the transplanted hair occurs between 9 to 12 months.
What should I avoid before my hair transplant surgery?
For 7 days prior to surgery, avoid blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen), vitamin E supplements, and heavy alcohol. Stop smoking nicotine at least 72 hours before surgery, as it restricts scalp blood flow and impairs graft survival.
When can I wash my hair after a hair transplant?
You will receive your first specialized, gentle hair wash at Alvora Hair Clinic 24 to 48 hours post-procedure. You will be given detailed instructions and a mild spray/shampoo to gently clean your scalp at home without touching or rubbing the grafts for the first 10 days.
When will the transplanted hair start growing?
Transplanted hair shafts shed within the first 3 to 4 weeks—this is a normal, healthy part of the follicle resetting phase. New, permanent hair growth begins emerging around month 3, visible coverage builds by month 6, and full, high-density results mature between 10 to 12 months.
When can I wear a cap, helmet, or hat after surgery?
You can wear a loose-fitting, structured cap (that does not touch the transplanted area) after day 5. Avoid tight caps, beanie hats, or heavy motorcycle helmets for at least 14 days post-procedure to ensure grafts are fully anchored.
When can I resume gym workouts, running, and heavy exercise?
Light walking can be resumed after day 3. Avoid heavy weightlifting, intense cardio, heavy sweating, and contact sports for at least 14 days post-surgery to prevent elevated blood pressure from disturbing the healing grafts. Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools for 4 weeks.
When can I trim or shave my transplanted hair?
You can trim your hair gently with scissors after 14 days. Avoid using electric clippers directly on the transplanted recipient zone for at least 4 weeks, and refrain from clean razor shaving on the recipient area for 2 to 3 months.
Are there any dietary restrictions after a hair transplant?
Eat a clean, nutrient-rich diet high in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins to support tissue repair. Avoid excessively spicy or salty foods for the first 3 days to minimize temporary facial swelling, and stay well hydrated.
How much does a hair transplant cost at Alvora Hair Clinic in Ludhiana?
Hair transplant costs depend on the specific technique used (FUE, QHT, Unshaven U-FUE) and the total number of grafts required for your hair loss stage. We provide transparent, all-inclusive pricing with zero hidden fees during your initial consultation.
How do I schedule a consultation at Alvora Hair Clinic?
Booking a consultation is easy! You can call us directly at +91 98153 41036, visit our clinic located near Indoor Stadium, SBS Nagar, Ludhiana, or book online anytime.