Hair transplantation is a surgical method of redistributing hair follicles from a donor area to areas of thinning or hair loss. Before choosing surgery, the cause and pattern of hair loss, donor density, scalp health, medical history and long-term progression should be assessed. The main hair loss guide explains why diagnosis comes before treatment, while the hair transplant overview covers surgical planning in more detail.
Candidacy is individual, not a fixed age checklist
There is no universal rule that makes every adult with hair loss a suitable candidate. The surgeon considers whether hair loss is stable enough to plan, whether the donor area can support the intended restoration, whether expectations are realistic and whether medical conditions or medications affect surgical risk. Cardiovascular disease or another health condition does not automatically rule out treatment; it may instead require additional assessment or medical clearance.
Choosing between FUE and FUT
The two established harvesting approaches are follicular unit extraction and follicular unit transplantation. FUE removes follicular units individually and leaves many small donor-area scars, while FUT removes a strip of scalp and leaves a linear scar. Neither method is automatically better for every patient; donor characteristics, hairstyle preferences, graft requirements and previous procedures all matter.
What a preoperative discussion should cover
Useful counselling includes the planned hairline, likely graft range, donor limitations, scarring, temporary shedding, infection and bleeding risks, the possibility of additional procedures, and the fact that native hair can continue to thin after transplantation. A consent discussion should also distinguish between transplanted-hair survival and the ongoing management of non-transplanted hair.
Medical treatment may still be relevant after surgery
Some patients may be offered medical or non-surgical treatment to help manage continuing hair loss, but the choice depends on the diagnosis, sex, age, medical history and contraindications. Medicines should not be started, stopped or changed simply because a transplant is planned; that decision belongs in the consultation with the appropriate clinician.
Follow-up is part of the treatment plan
Aftercare usually includes instructions for scalp washing, activity, swelling, donor-area care and when to seek review. Recovery and hair-growth timelines vary, so follow-up should be based on the actual procedure and the patient’s healing rather than a fixed universal schedule.
When comparing clinics in Visakhapatnam or elsewhere, focus on transparent assessment, documented clinician qualifications, realistic planning and clear discussion of complications instead of promotional success-rate claims. Information about the treating clinician is available on About Dr. VJs, and an individual assessment can be requested through the contact page.