Graft survival rates determine whether your hair transplant produces lasting, natural-looking results or falls short of expectations. FUE, FUT, and DHI procedures all carry a 90-95% graft survival rate under ideal conditions, but that number drops significantly when key clinical variables are mismanaged. Asking the right questions before you commit to a clinic is the single most effective way to protect your investment.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified hair loss specialist before making any treatment decisions.
Why Questions About Graft Survival Matter
Patients who research clinics independently have 45% lower revision rates than those who book on impulse. This statistic highlights a simple reality: informed patients get better outcomes. Graft survival is not a mystery. It follows predictable biological rules, and the clinics that consistently hit 90-95% survival are the ones that control for every variable.
The questions below are designed to expose whether a clinic understands those variables and manages them properly.
10 Key Questions to Ask About Graft Survival
1. What Is Your Reported Graft Survival Rate?
Any clinic worth considering should have an answer ready. The expected range is 90-95% for FUE and FUT. If the clinic cannot cite a specific figure or claims 100% survival, that is a red flag. No technique guarantees every graft will take.
2. How Do You Handle Grafts Between Extraction and Placement?
Out-of-body time is one of the largest controllable factors. Grafts stored in a holding solution at controlled temperature survive significantly better than grafts left exposed on gauze. Ask what storage solution they use (saline, HypoThermosol, ATP-containing solutions) and what temperature the grafts are maintained at during the procedure.
3. Who Performs Each Stage of the Procedure?
In some clinics, the surgeon only performs extraction, while technicians handle placement. In others, the surgeon is involved at every stage. Neither model is inherently wrong, but you should know exactly who is doing what. Graft survival depends heavily on the skill of the person making recipient sites and placing grafts.
4. What Is Your Average Out-of-Body Time for Grafts?
Graft viability declines measurably after 4-6 hours outside the body. Clinics that perform large sessions (3,000+ grafts) need clear protocols for keeping out-of-body time short. Ask whether they use a team approach to keep extraction and placement happening in parallel, or whether all grafts are extracted before any are placed.
5. How Do You Determine Graft Count for My Norwood Stage?
Graft requirements vary by Norwood stage. A responsible clinic will tie their recommendation to your specific loss pattern, not a fixed package.
| Norwood Stage | Typical Graft Range |
|---|---|
| Norwood 2 | 800 - 1,500 |
| Norwood 3 | 1,500 - 2,200 |
| Norwood 3V | 2,000 - 2,800 |
| Norwood 4 | 2,500 - 3,500 |
| Norwood 5 | 3,000 - 4,500 |
| Norwood 6 | 4,000 - 6,000 |
| Norwood 7 | 5,500 - 7,500 |
If the recommendation does not align with your stage, ask why.
6. What Post-Op Protocol Do You Provide to Maximize Graft Survival?
The first 7-10 days after FUE surgery are critical. Ask for a written post-op care sheet before you commit. It should include instructions for sleeping position, washing protocol, activity restrictions, and medication use. Vague verbal instructions after the procedure are not sufficient.
7. Do You Prescribe Any Medications to Support Graft Survival?
Some clinics prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or finasteride post-operatively. Others recommend PRP sessions at $500-$2,000 per session to support healing. Ask what the clinic includes as standard and what costs extra.
8. What Happens If My Survival Rate Is Lower Than Expected?
Ask directly whether the clinic has a policy for cases where results are visibly below expectations. Some clinics offer complimentary touch-up sessions. Others do not. Knowing this in advance sets appropriate expectations and reveals how confident the clinic is in their own work.
9. Can You Show Me Results from Patients at My Norwood Stage?
Generic before-and-after galleries are marketing materials. What matters is whether the clinic can show you outcomes specifically from patients with your Norwood classification, hair type, and age range. If they cannot, that tells you something about their volume or honesty at your particular stage.
10. What Is Your Transection Rate?
Transection occurs when a graft is partially damaged during extraction, reducing the number of viable hairs it produces. Skilled surgeons keep transection rates below 5%. Ask what tools they use (manual punch vs. motorized), what punch size, and what their documented transection rate is. If they do not track this metric, that is informative.
How to Use These Questions Effectively
Do not treat this list as a quiz you spring on the clinic. Instead, raise these points naturally during your consultation. A confident, experienced clinic will welcome the questions. A clinic that becomes evasive or dismissive when asked about graft storage, transection rates, or post-op protocols is telling you something important about their standards.
Take notes during each consultation. If you are comparing multiple clinics, use a simple table to track how each one answered these questions side by side.
Cost Context by Region
Graft survival rates should influence where you choose to have your procedure, not just cost. Here is a quick reference for per-graft pricing across major regions.
| Region | Cost per Graft (USD) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | $1 - $2 |
| USA | $4 - $6 |
| UK | $3 - $5 |
| Europe | $2.50 - $4.50 |
Lower cost does not mean lower survival, and higher cost does not guarantee better outcomes. What matters is the clinical protocols behind the price.
For a deeper look at the biological factors that determine graft viability, read the graft survival rates overview. If you are already in consultation, our guide on evaluating post-op support will help you assess whether a clinic's aftercare meets clinical standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a reputable hair transplant clinic?
Start by checking credentials through ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) or ABHRS (American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery). Look for surgeons who perform the procedure themselves rather than delegating to technicians. Cross-reference online reviews on multiple platforms and request to speak with former patients directly.
What credentials should a hair transplant surgeon have?
At minimum, look for board certification in dermatology or plastic surgery, plus specific training in hair restoration. ISHRS fellowship or ABHRS diplomate status indicates specialized focus. Ask how many procedures they perform per month and how long they have been practicing hair transplant surgery specifically.
How do I know if before/after photos are real?
Authentic before/after photos use consistent lighting, angles, and camera distance. Ask if photos were taken in-house or submitted by the patient. Look for multiple angles of the same patient, including close-ups of the hairline. Be cautious of heavily filtered images or photos that only show the best angle.
Not sure what Norwood stage you are at or how many grafts you might need? Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze for a free AI-powered hairline assessment. Having objective data makes every consultation more productive.