Questions to ask at a hair transplant consultation

How to use this list

You do not need to ask every question. Pick the ones that matter to you, take notes and compare answers between clinics. A good clinic will welcome detailed questions. Vague or rushed answers tell you something too.

Under the Medical Board of Australia's guidelines, the doctor who will perform your procedure must give you clear information about the procedure, risks, recovery, their qualifications and the full costs, both verbally and in writing. Many of the questions below simply check that you have received it. For the wider picture, read our guide on how to choose a clinic.

About the doctor and team

• Who will perform my procedure, and will I meet them before the day? The doctor who operates must assess you and obtain your consent. Meeting only a salesperson or coordinator is not enough.
• What is your registration type and your training in hair restoration? Doctors must tell you their registration type and qualifications. Check the answer on the Ahpra public register.
• How many hair transplants do you do, and how many like mine? Experience with your pattern of loss, hair type or a repair case matters more than overall volume.
• Which steps will you do personally? The ISHRS says hairline design, graft extraction and recipient site incisions should be done by a licensed physician.
• Who else will be in the room, and what are their roles? Technicians commonly help sort and place grafts. You should know how they are trained and supervised.

About your hair loss

• What is causing my hair loss? A transplant suits some types of hair loss and not others. If the cause is unclear, ask whether you should see a GP or dermatologist first. Our page on whether you need a GP referral explains why that can help.
• How much more hair am I likely to lose? Pattern loss usually continues. The plan should allow for it so the result still looks natural in ten years.
• Should I consider medical treatment first or alongside surgery? Medication a doctor may prescribe can slow further loss, which can change how many grafts you need.
• Am I a suitable candidate at all? A doctor who is willing to say no, or not yet, is a good sign. See am I a candidate.

About the plan

• Which method do you recommend for me, and why? FUE and FUT have different trade-offs for scarring, graft numbers and recovery. Our FUE vs FUT guide explains them.
• How many grafts do you estimate, and how did you work that out? Ask for a range in grafts, not hairs, based on an examination of your donor area. Compare it with our guide to how many grafts you need.
• How much donor hair do I have for the future? Your donor supply is limited. Using too much now can leave less for later work.
• Where will my hairline sit, and can you draw it on me? Seeing the proposed hairline helps you judge whether it suits your age and future loss.
• Will I need more than one procedure? Many people do, especially with advancing loss. Knowing this early helps you budget and plan.

About the day and recovery

• Where is the procedure done, and is the facility accredited? The guidelines require a facility appropriate for the level of risk. Accreditation is encouraged, not mandatory, so ask.
• What anaesthetic will you use, and who monitors me? Hair transplants are long procedures, usually under local anaesthetic. You should know who watches your wellbeing throughout.
• What are the common and serious risks for me? Ask about infection, swelling, numbness, scarring, poor growth and shock loss, and anything specific to your health.
• How long until I can work, exercise and wear a hat? Recovery affects how much leave you need. Our recovery guide covers the usual stages.

About costs and payment

• What is the total cost, and what does it include? The doctor must tell you the total cost. Check whether it covers the consultation, medicines, aftercare visits and any touch-ups.
• What happens to the price if you use more or fewer grafts? Per-graft pricing and "up to" packages behave differently on the day.
• How much is the deposit, when is it due and is it refundable? Deposit and refund terms must be part of your cost information. Get them in writing before paying.
• What would a second procedure or a revision cost? Possible further costs for revision or more treatment are part of informed financial consent.
• Which payment methods do you accept? Doctors can tell you their accepted payment methods but must not push loans or commercial payment plans. See our finance guide.

About aftercare and results

• Who do I contact if I am worried, including after hours? The performing doctor is responsible for your aftercare, and your discharge instructions should include contact details.
• What follow-up appointments are included, and when? Growth continues for many months, so check-ins through the first year are useful.
• When will I see results, and when will you judge the final outcome? New growth usually shows from about 3 to 6 months and matures over the following months.
• What happens if growth is poor or I am unhappy with the result? Ask how the clinic handles concerns, what options exist and what they would cost. Our repair guide covers what can be fixed.
• Will I get a written record of what was done? A summary of the method and graft count helps any doctor who treats you later.

After the consultation

Read through your notes the same day while the conversation is fresh. Check that the written quote and consent information match what you were told, and follow up on anything that was vague.

Look the doctor up on the Ahpra register using their registered name. If you are comparing clinics, line up the graft estimates, the proposed hairline, what each price includes and the deposit terms side by side.

For adults there is no compulsory cooling-off period for a hair transplant, so give yourself one. A clinic that respects that time is a good sign. If you would like an Australian clinic to assess you, you can ask for a callback.