A decision in favour of a hair transplant is a long-term one, with life-long consequences. To ensure that everything is done properly, the area from where the donor hairs are to be taken is analysed in detail, checking the number of hairs and their characteristics. No two patients are the same, and the number of donor hairs can vary from 4,000 to 9,000 follicular units. The number and characteristics of the donor hairs have a major influence on what the hair looks like after the treatment - with regard to such factors as colour, curliness, growth direction or hair diameter. In addition an assessment needs to be made of how big the area affected by hair loss and to be subjected to treatment is and - as far as possible - how any future, age-related hair loss will occur. Every patient is different, whether with regard to age, current hair loss intensity, hereditary or other factors. This means that no generalisation can be used, with each patient receiving his own personal diagnosis and treatment plan. An exact determination of the donor and recipient areas is therefore an important part of any consultation, allowing the potential of a hair transplant to be assessed as accurately as possible.