Do You Need a Referral for FUT Hair Transplant?

FUT, also called strip harvesting or follicular unit transplantation, involves removing a strip of hair-bearing skin and separating it into grafts for placement in areas with thinning. A specialist consultation is needed to assess the pattern and cause of hair loss, the donor area, scalp health, and whether this technique suits you. A referral can come from a general doctor or another clinician, but some clinics allow direct booking with a trichology or hair-restoration team.

Contact the clinic before booking and ask whether a referral letter, prior medical notes, or insurer authorisation is required. Bring a list of medicines, previous hair-loss treatments, relevant medical conditions, and details about how your hair loss developed. The clinician may discuss alternatives, the linear donor-area scar, healing, and whether stabilising active hair loss should come before surgery. Do not stop prescribed treatment simply to prepare for the appointment.

Arrange medical review before pursuing transplant planning if hair loss began suddenly, occurs in sharply defined patches, or comes with scalp pain, scaling, redness, sores, or signs of infection. These features can point to a scalp condition that needs diagnosis and treatment. Prompt care is also sensible when hair loss follows a new medicine or another illness, because surgery does not address every cause of shedding.

Ask: Do I need a referral or insurer approval? What is causing my hair loss? Is FUT suitable for my donor area and pattern? Where would the scar be? What evaluation or treatment should happen before surgery? How will follow-up be arranged if I develop scalp redness, drainage, or worsening pain?