A hair transplant procedure is generally performed in the following cases:

1. Hair thinning
2. Men having pattern baldness
3. Minor scalp injury
4. Alopecia areata (an autoimmune condition leading to loss of hair)

1. Physical examination: The doctor will check the extent and quality of hair loss. The doctor will also inquire about your hair care routine, diet, medical history, and family history.
2. Light microscopy: The hair trimmed at their base are examined using a microscope to check for possible disorders of the hair shaft.
3. Blood tests: They help in checking for medical conditions that could be the cause of hair loss.
4. Pull test: The surgeon will gently pull some of your hair to check for the frequency of loss of hair. This can help in determining the stage of the shedding process.
5. Scalp biopsy: Some samples are scraped from the skin or hairs are plucked from the scalp to examine the hair roots under a microscope. This helps the doctor in ruling out any infection that could be a cause of hair loss.
6. Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test helps in evaluating the electrical activity of the heart.

A hair transplant surgery is generally performed under local anesthesia to numb the treatment area so that the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure. Hair transplant surgery can be performed in the following different ways:

1. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT):

• The back of the head is first numbed using local anesthesia. 
• The site from where the hair follicles will be taken, which is usually the back of the scalp region, is sterilized by the surgeon.
• A scalpel is used to remove a section of the scalp from the back of the head and closed using surgical sutures.
• The scalp section will then be split into about 2,000 small pieces using a scalpel. These pieces are known as grafts.
• Small holes are created using needles in the rest of the scalp, where hair transplantation is needed.
• Small grafts are inserted into the holes by a procedure known as grafting.
• The surgical sites are then closed using bandages.

2. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE):

• This procedure involves cutting out the hair follicles directly from the back of the head using tiny punch incisions.
• The back of the head is first shaved and local anesthesia is administered in this area.
• Individual hair follicles are then extracted by the surgeon from the shaved portion of the scalp.
• Small holes are then made in the remaining part of the scalp and the hair follicles are precisely grafted.
• The surgical site is then covered using a bandage.

3. Direct Hair Implantation:

• The surgeon will first shave the donor area and the back of the head.
• Local anesthesia will be administered to numb the scalp.
• A DHI implanter, which is a pen-shaped device, is used to remove the hair follicles from the donor region without touching other hair.
• The hair follicles obtained will be sent to a laboratory to process them into grafts.
• The processed hair follicles will be implanted back in the recipient area.
• The hair follicles will be implanted carefully by the surgeon in a specific direction.
• Each hair transplant session may take about four to six hours to complete. Approximately, three to four such sessions are performed over the course of one year to obtain the best results.

The following complications may be associated with hair transplant surgery:

• Pain
• Allergic reaction to anesthesia
• Heart problems
• Itching
• Infection
• Inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis)
• Bleeding
• Swelling of the scalp and around the eyes
• Formation of cysts (fluid-filled sacs) on the scalp
• Hair curl (curling of the transplanted hair follicles under the scalp)
• Scarring 
• Crust formation in the transplanted or donor area
• Shock loss (sudden, temporary loss of transplanted hair)
• Loss of sensation in the transplanted area

1. It is normal to have some soreness after the procedure.
2. You will be prescribed pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic medications after the procedure.
3. Minoxidil or finasteride (hair growth medicine) may be recommended by the doctor to improve hair regrowth and prevent future loss of hair.
4. Most people can resume work three to four days after surgery.
5. The recovery time following FUT is around two to three weeks, and for FUE is around five days.
6. Transplanted hair may fall out two to three weeks after the procedure to make way for new hair growth. New hair growth is usually seen eight to twelve months after surgery.

Home remedies:

The following tips can help in a smooth and fast recovery after hair transplant surgery:

1. Avoid going in direct sunlight.
2. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
3. Massage the scalp gently as recommended by the doctor.
4. You can wash your hair one day after surgery.
5. Follow your doctor’s guidelines on how and when to take a shower and bath to decrease the chances of complications. 
6. Avoid strenuous activities for at least two weeks after surgery.

Cost of hair transplant in India- 

The cost of hair transplant surgery in Mumbai is between INR 60,000 to INR 1,50,000.
The cost of hair transplant surgery in Delhi is between INR 55,000 to INR 1,30,000.
The cost of hair transplant surgery in Bangalore is between INR 55,000 to INR 1,30,000.
The cost of hair transplant surgery in Chennai is between INR 50,000 to INR 1,10,000.