Hair transplantation involves removing a strip of permanent hair-bearing skin from the back or sides of the scalp (donor area) and then, using various techniques, the strip is usually dissected into micrografts (containing 1-3 hairs) and mini-grafts (containing 3-8 hairs) each. The micro-/minigrafts are then meticulously planted into the bald or thinning area of the scalp (recipient area). The creation of very small micrografts (follicular units) has allowed very natural, feathered hairlines to be grafted, and avoids an abrupt, "pluggy look" that was typical many years ago. A mini-graft can be used behind the hairline for added density.

Depending on the degree of balding for the frontal area and similarly for the crown area, 1-3 procedures involving several hundred or perhaps 1,500 or more grafts may be required to achieve the desired density (of course, more procedures could be done if hair loss progresses or greater density is desired). Within 24 hours small crusts will form on each graft which are shed in approximately 7-10 days. The grafted hairs will often start to grow by 6-12 weeks after the procedure and will continue to grow for a lifetime