Is a Hair Transplant Painful and What Anesthesia Is Used?

Is a Hair Transplant Painful and What Kind of Anesthesia do You Use?

About Header Image
August 10th, 2006

Q: Dr. Bernstein, is a follicular unit hair transplant, the way you perform it, very painful? — M.C., Laguna Niguel, C.A.

A: We perform our hair transplant procedures using long-acting, local anesthesia, so after the initial injections, the patient doesn’t experience any pain or discomfort.

The local anesthesia (a combination of Lidocaine and Marcaine) lasts about 4-5 hours. For long sessions, we give additional anesthesia before the first wears off.

Before we start the local anesthesia, we give most patients IM Versed (also known as midazolam). This medication is a very fast acting sedative that is very relaxing. Some patients even doze off at the beginning of the procedure. This is very different, however from the deep sleep produced by general anesthesia.

Related Posts:





If you have any questions or comments please contact us.

Browse Hair Restoration Answers by topic:


On selecting an option from drop-down list, the page content will refresh and update.



212-826-2400
Scroll to Top
Learn more about hair restoration

Hair loss has a variety of causes. Diagnosis and treatment is best determined by a board-certified dermatologist. We offer both in-person and online photo consults.

Provide your email to learn more.