Since 1998 · Zagreb & Daruvar
Hair Transplant in Croatia
Planning does not start with a graft count. It starts with a scalp analysis. Only once the type and stage of hair loss are established can we assess whether a transplant is indicated — and when it makes sense to perform it.
Patients who write to us from abroad usually ask two things: will the result look natural, and how will it hold up as the untransplanted hair keeps thinning. Both questions matter, and both are answered by a long-term plan that looks well beyond the first year. That plan starts with a scalp analysis, which shows what kind of hair loss is involved, how stable it is, and how many follicular units the donor area can safely give. The number of follicular units is determined only after the scalp, the donor area, and the planned recipient area have been fully assessed.
Is this for me?
What a hair transplant is and who it is for
A hair transplant is the procedure of moving your own follicular units from the back and sides of the scalp, where the follicles are more resistant to androgenetic hair loss, to areas where the hair has thinned or is gone. Only your own follicles are transplanted; another person’s hair cannot be used. After transplantation, the follicles keep producing hair with the properties of the donor area, so the hair is washed, cut, and styled completely normally.
The procedure is most often performed in suitable candidates with androgenetic alopecia — hereditary hair loss that in men starts at the temples and crown, and in women most often shows as thinning along the part line. It can also be performed to correct a high forehead, a congenitally high hairline, or scalp scars after an injury or surgery.
When a transplant is indicated
The most suitable candidates are people whose hair loss pattern is stable or can be assessed with enough certainty, whose donor area is dense enough, and who have realistic expectations of the possible result. In practice, that third condition matters just as much as the first two: a transplant can improve scalp coverage and shape the hairline, but it cannot create more density than the donor area allows.
Among women, the most common candidates are those with stable, localized thinning, a high forehead, or hair loss after an illness or scarring. For some women with diffuse thinning across the entire scalp, however, a transplant is not the answer, because there is no safe donor area to take from. In those cases we first diagnose the cause and consider therapies aimed at preserving the existing hair.
When the procedure is not indicated or should be postponed
There are conditions in which a transplant would not bring the expected benefit or could worsen the local situation. Active alopecia areata and unstable scarring alopecia call for treatment, not surgery. Very rapid hair loss in the early twenties can mean the pattern of alopecia has not yet stabilized and its further course cannot be reliably predicted. If the hair loss is linked to a hormonal disorder, a thyroid problem, iron deficiency, or another medical condition, the underlying condition is diagnosed and treated first, and the procedure remains an open option once things settle. In all these cases we start with diagnostics and, where indicated, with therapy that we follow over several months.
Sometimes we recommend a period of monitoring before reassessment. In some cases we conclude that the procedure is not indicated. Then we talk about other options for treatment or follow-up.
The first step
Diagnostics and scalp analysis before the procedure
Before any number of follicular units is set, the scalp is examined and measured.
What the scalp analysis shows
In several regions of the scalp we measure hair shaft thickness, density, and the number of hairs per follicular unit. From those numbers we can see whether this is androgenetic alopecia, how far it has progressed, what the density and quality of the donor area are, and how stable the condition is. The measurements are taken with the TrichoLab Studio device — a camera and software — and, when needed, supplemented with a genetic test or a scalp biopsy.
“Under the trichoscope, the scalp shows hair thickness, density, and the number of hairs per follicular unit. From those measurements I assess whether the hair loss is androgenetic and whether the condition has stabilized. Sometimes the findings show that a procedure at that moment would not bring the expected benefit.” — Ana Maletić, MD, PhD
The same analysis later serves for follow-up. If we perform a PRP scalp treatment, mesotherapy, or a laser hair growth treatment, a few months later we measure the same scalp again and compare objective measurements with the initial findings.
Why the donor area is central to the plan
The number of follicular units available in the donor area is limited, and everything else depends on it: how many follicles may be taken, at what level the hairline can be planned, and whether reserves will remain for a possible future procedure.
“The donor area is limited and does not regenerate. Where follicles have been extracted, no hair grows from those follicles again, while the loss of untransplanted hair can continue. That is why I do not set the hairline according to how you would like to look this year, but so that the result stays consistent with how your hair loss may develop in the future.” — Ana Maletić, MD, PhD
At the first consultation, patients often ask how many follicular units they need — but that number cannot be determined separately from the overall plan. With us, the number of follicular units is the result of the plan, set only after all the relevant factors have been assessed.
How it is performed
How we perform a hair transplant
Polyclinic Maletić was among the first to introduce hair transplantation in Croatia, and training in this field at the Polyclinic dates back to 1996. We perform all four transplant methods: FUE, DHI, Sapphire, and STRIP. The method is chosen based on your scalp findings and the state of the donor area.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, in operating rooms with air-recuperation systems and controlled conditions. The survival of transplanted follicular units depends on the conditions of the procedure, how the follicles are handled, and the time they spend outside the body.
- Duration
- 4–8 hours, depending on the number of follicular units
- Anesthesia
- local
- Recovery
- Back to everyday routines within days; crusts fall off in 7–10 days
- Performed by
- Ana Maletić, MD, PhD
FUE
Follicular units are extracted one by one, with an instrument less than one millimeter in diameter. There is no linear incision and no stitches; tiny dots remain in the donor area and fade over time. FUE is a widely used method today, and we assess its suitability based on the donor area findings and the goal of the procedure.
DHI
With the DHI method, the follicle is placed using an implanter, which opens the channel and places the follicular unit in a single step. This approach allows control of the angle, direction, and depth of implantation, so we use it where higher density is needed over a smaller area.
Sapphire
Sapphire is a variant of the FUE method in which the channels are opened with sapphire blades. Sapphire blades allow precisely shaped channels, and the course of recovery depends on the extent of the procedure and individual healing.
STRIP, also known as FUT
A narrow strip of scalp is taken from the donor area and then sutured, and the follicular units are separated under a microscope. A linear scar remains, covered by hair. We consider this method when a larger number of follicular units is needed in a single procedure.
A natural hairline
A natural look is the result of a series of planning and technical decisions made before and during the procedure. We adapt the hairline to the shape of your face, the degree of alopecia, and the density of the donor area — no single template is applied to every patient. Single-hair follicular units go into the hairline, while denser units are reserved for the mid-scalp and crown. The angle and direction of growth differ from region to region and between patients, so each unit is placed in the direction the hair naturally grows at that spot.
Trimming before the procedure is not mandatory. We discuss the need for trimming beforehand and match it to the planned number of follicular units and the chosen technique.
See the full price listWhy us
Why choose us for your hair transplant
One of 6 clinics worldwide
with this level of international certification for hair transplantation
ABHRS Diplomate
Dr. Ana Maletić is the only physician in Croatia with this title, one of 260 physicians worldwide
Croatia’s only ISHRS member
regular membership in the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
The only clinic in Croatia offering all four methods
FUE, DHI, Sapphire, and STRIP; the method is chosen based on your scalp findings and the state of the donor area
Since 1996
the year hair transplant training began at Polyclinic Maletić
TrichoLab scalp analysis
hair shaft thickness, density, and hairs per follicular unit measured before every plan
Four operating rooms
operating rooms with air-recuperation systems and controlled conditions for performing the procedure
Her own transplant method
Dr. Ana Maletić presented it at the ISHRS World Congress in Berlin, 2025
Recovery
The day of the procedure and recovery
Before the procedure. At the consultation we perform a scalp analysis and agree on the plan. The hairline is marked and agreed with you before the procedure begins.
On the day of the procedure. The procedure takes four to eight hours, is performed under local anesthesia with breaks, and you go home the same day.
The first two to three days. The scalp is sensitive and forehead swelling is possible, so sleeping with your head elevated is recommended.
By day ten. The crusts fall off, and the scalp is washed following instructions you receive in writing.
Weeks two to six. The transplanted hair sheds — this is called shock loss — while the follicle stays in place.
Months three to four. New hairs begin to grow.
Month six. In most patients the change becomes more visible.
Month twelve. We assess the final result; with denser and coarser hair, in some patients that result develops over up to eighteen months.
Intense exertion, sweating, and heavy sun exposure are avoided for the first two weeks, and most people return to office work within a few days.
Honest about the limits
Limitations, risks, and long-term planning
“A hair transplant is an elective procedure, so the decision should be informed and made without haste. At the first consultation the patient receives the findings, the plan, and the information needed for a decision — and then decides independently whether to continue planning the procedure.” — Ana Maletić, MD, PhD
At the consultation we assess whether your expectations match what the donor area allows and how the hair loss is likely to develop long-term. Before a permanent procedure, it is worth gathering all the information needed for an informed decision — including a second professional opinion.
What a transplant does not solve
A transplant does not stop balding. The transplanted follicles remain, but the hair around them is still subject to androgenetic alopecia. That is why, where needed, we also plan how to preserve the untransplanted hair — either with therapy proposed by your physician or with treatments that strengthen the scalp. Without a plan for the untransplanted hair, the result can become uneven over time, which can lead to the need for an additional procedure.
The procedure also does not change the quality of the hair you already have, and it does not create more density than the donor area can support.
Risks of the procedure
A hair transplant carries possible risks and side effects. Forehead swelling is possible in the first days, along with temporarily reduced sensation in the donor area, folliculitis, and, rarely, infection. Traces remain in the donor area — tiny dots with FUE, a linear scar covered by hair with the STRIP method. The share of transplanted follicular units that go on growing varies between patients. The exact percentage of successful growth cannot be guaranteed in advance, because it depends on multiple individual and technical factors.
How to choose a clinic and a surgeon
Patients considering treatment abroad often compare clinics across several countries. When comparing, what matters is verifying the qualifications of the person performing the procedure, the way the clinic works, and the availability of follow-up care after the procedure.
“A low price can draw attention, but it is not the only criterion for choosing a clinic. In some facilities, individual surgical steps are performed by people without the appropriate medical license, under conditions whose level of oversight is hard for a patient to judge, with a graft count that may not match what the donor area allows. The quality of the procedure does not depend on the country, but on the expertise of the team, the way it is performed, and the follow-up of the patient. The patient should know who performs the key parts of the procedure and whom to contact if difficulties arise during recovery or hair growth.” — Ana Maletić, MD, PhD
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, ISHRS, keeps a publicly available directory of its member physicians — so wherever you decide to go, check the physician’s qualifications, experience, and membership in the relevant professional societies. From Croatia, Dr. Ana Maletić is the regular member of the ISHRS.
Real results
Before and after hair transplantation
We show results only with documented patient consent.
Who we are
Who will be taking care of you
The Hair Center is led by Ana Maletić, MD, PhD, a specialist in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. She holds the FISHRS and ABHRS Diplomate titles, is the only physician in Croatia with the ABHRS Diplomate title and one of 260 physicians worldwide to have earned it, and is the only physician from Croatia in regular membership of the ISHRS. In March 2026 she defended her doctoral thesis, in which she researched the connection between hair transplantation and biopsychosocial factors of health.
“This procedure drew me in because it demands exceptional precision, patience, and long-term planning.” — Ana Maletić, MD, PhD
Dr. Ana Maletić singles out follow-up visits as one of her favorite parts of the work, because that is when she follows how the result develops and how the patient is doing after the procedure.
Throughout preparation, the procedure, and the immediate recovery, a medical team is with you. The Polyclinic has been operating since 1998; it was founded by Dr. Ana’s parents, and today two generations of the family work here. We perform the procedure in Zagreb and in Daruvar, where accommodation is available for patients from out of town and from abroad.
Meet the whole teamWatch
See more about hair transplantation
One year later
How the result develops over the first year
The transplanted follicles grow from your own scalp and keep producing hair with the properties of the donor area, so the hair is washed, cut, colored, and styled with no special rules. The American Academy of Dermatology describes this result as permanent and natural-looking — provided that the hair that was not transplanted is also planned for.
The long-term result depends on natural shaping of the hairline and on planning for the untransplanted hair. Whether the result looks natural depends on whether the hairline was set according to your face and degree of alopecia — not on the number of transplanted units. And whether it stays consistent as the untransplanted hair continues to thin depends not only on the procedure but also on the plan for preserving that hair.
Studies following hair transplantation record improved satisfaction with appearance and quality of life in a share of patients.
The procedure does not increase the total number of follicles — it moves them from the donor area into the area of hair loss.
Sources for the psychosocial outcome: a prospective two-center study in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2023; Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Nilforoushzadeh et al., 2023; a narrative review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025. Source for permanence and natural appearance, and for planning the untransplanted hair: American Academy of Dermatology.
Price
Price and the first step
The total price of a hair transplant is determined individually, based on the number of follicular units and the chosen method. With the FUE method the price is €2.50 to €5.50 per follicular unit, with the STRIP-FUT method from €2,000.00, and transplanting hair from other parts of the body to the scalp costs €4.50 to €9.50 per follicle.
The consultation is free of charge, and after the examination you decide for yourself whether to continue planning the procedure. The trichoscopic scalp analysis costs €135.00; its findings are an important part of planning and it is performed before the final plan is drawn up.
The number of follicular units cannot be reliably determined over the phone, because it depends on the scalp findings, the state of the donor area, and the planned recipient area. After the examination and scalp analysis you receive an individual plan, an estimate of the number of follicular units, and the total price. You can also see the prices of all procedures in the price list.
If you are not sure whether a transplant is right for you, an examination can clarify the indication, the possibilities, and the limits of the procedure.
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FUE hair transplant (per follicular unit)
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STRIP-FUT hair transplant
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Body hair transplant to the scalp (per follicle)
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Trichoscopic scalp analysis (TrichoLAB FotoFinder)
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Trichotest
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Scalp biopsy with histopathology
Which method for whom
Patients most often ask us which hair therapy is the best — and the answer is that a universally best therapy does not exist. Each person’s hair loss has its own cause, phase, scalp condition, and degree of follicle preservation. That is why the same method gives a good result in one person and does not match the findings in another.
So we build the treatment plan around what is actually measured on your scalp. After the trichoscopic analysis we know what kind of hair loss is involved, how far the process has advanced, and whether there are still follicles with regenerative potential. From those findings comes one therapy, or a combination of methods that complement each other. Sometimes what comes out is that a treatment makes no sense in your case — and then we talk about a transplant or about monitoring, depending on the findings. You will hear that at the first examination, not after several paid treatments.
Below is an overview of the methods we perform, how they differ, and when each one comes into consideration.
| Method | How it works | When it comes into consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Scalp mesotherapy | Delivers a preparation of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, composed according to your findings, into the scalp skin to improve the conditions in which the follicle works. | For weakened, thinning hair, early-stage thinning, and increased shedding after childbirth, illness, or a longer period of stress. |
| PRP treatment | Uses plasma from your own blood and the growth factors it contains, so the treatment involves drawing your blood and preparing it. | For increased shedding and thinning, when the follicles still exist but produce a thinner, weaker hair. |
| Polynucleotides | Purified DNA fragments that reduce inflammation in the scalp and stimulate the formation of new blood vessels, improving the scalp’s blood supply. | For diffuse thinning and a sensitive scalp, and when you prefer a solution that does not involve drawing blood. |
| Scalp filler | Delivers a complex of peptides and hyaluronic acid into the scalp skin that acts on the follicle itself. Unlike facial fillers, the goal is not added volume but strengthening the existing hair. | For weakened, thin hair and in the earlier phase of thinning, while the follicles are still active. |
| Laser hair growth treatment | Uses a medical Er:YAG laser to improve the scalp’s blood supply and encourage follicles to shift from resting into the growth phase, with no needles and no downtime. | For increased shedding and for strengthening existing hair, on its own or alongside other therapies. |
| Hair transplant | Your own follicles from the donor area are moved to the areas where hair no longer grows. | When certain regions no longer have active follicles, because no treatment can bring back hair that is gone there. |
How it works
Delivers a preparation of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, composed according to your findings, into the scalp skin to improve the conditions in which the follicle works.
When it comes into consideration
For weakened, thinning hair, early-stage thinning, and increased shedding after childbirth, illness, or a longer period of stress.
How it works
Uses plasma from your own blood and the growth factors it contains, so the treatment involves drawing your blood and preparing it.
When it comes into consideration
For increased shedding and thinning, when the follicles still exist but produce a thinner, weaker hair.
How it works
Purified DNA fragments that reduce inflammation in the scalp and stimulate the formation of new blood vessels, improving the scalp’s blood supply.
When it comes into consideration
For diffuse thinning and a sensitive scalp, and when you prefer a solution that does not involve drawing blood.
How it works
Delivers a complex of peptides and hyaluronic acid into the scalp skin that acts on the follicle itself. Unlike facial fillers, the goal is not added volume but strengthening the existing hair.
When it comes into consideration
For weakened, thin hair and in the earlier phase of thinning, while the follicles are still active.
How it works
Uses a medical Er:YAG laser to improve the scalp’s blood supply and encourage follicles to shift from resting into the growth phase, with no needles and no downtime.
When it comes into consideration
For increased shedding and for strengthening existing hair, on its own or alongside other therapies.
Hair transplant
How it works
Your own follicles from the donor area are moved to the areas where hair no longer grows.
When it comes into consideration
When certain regions no longer have active follicles, because no treatment can bring back hair that is gone there.
The methods are often combined, because the same scalp can simultaneously hold weakened follicles and areas where hair no longer grows. Then one method preserves and strengthens what is left, while the other replaces what has been permanently lost.
It is just as important to know what these methods cannot do. No therapy creates new follicles, so where a follicle is permanently lost, no number of treatments can change that. Nor does any of them remove the cause of hair loss. If a thyroid condition, a nutrient deficiency, or a hormonal change is behind the shedding, that finding is treated separately, and scalp therapy goes alongside it — not instead of it.
The right method for you is the one that matches the state of your scalp, regardless of how popular it currently is. That is why every plan starts with an analysis and a conversation — and only then comes the choice of treatment.
Patient reviews
What our patients say
Reviews taken from our Google Business profiles, Zagreb and Daruvar, translated from Croatian.
★★★★★
“A month ago I had an FUE hair transplant with Dr. Ana Maletić. From the professional side, my hair was done perfectly. I was lucky that my hair did not shed and started growing right away. Dr. Maletić’s expertise is obvious and makes her, without question, the leader in this field in Croatia. But my real satisfaction and gratitude lie in how the Polyclinic treats its patients. They are highly professional, yet approachable and compassionate at the same time. Nurses Matea M. and Valerija left a positive mark on my whole experience and made it more pleasant and calming. To anyone in Croatia looking for a hair transplant, I warmly recommend this Polyclinic. You will get top results and excellent care!”
★★★★★
“I had a hair transplant and I am more than satisfied with this extraordinary, exceptionally professional, life-changing procedure! A big thank you to Dr. Ana, Danijela, Romana, and everyone else who took part in this wonderful experience. My sincerest thanks! Marko S.”
★★★★★
“I am very satisfied with Dr. Maletić’s results, from the beginning to the end of the hair transplant process. Five months after the procedure my hair looks phenomenal. The results I got, considering the number of grafts transplanted, pleasantly surprised me when compared with other clinics outside Croatia. As for the price, there is no big difference compared to clinics abroad, while the quality and expertise are on the level of top clinics. A big plus is that I did not have to travel outside the country, which made the whole process far less stressful for me.”
★★★★★
“I have rarely experienced such a professional, coordinated, and harmonious team. The atmosphere during the hair transplant was so pleasant that they even treated me to the occasional musical number. That relaxed atmosphere made the boredom of the procedure easier to bear. Although I do wonder whether some of you might be better off on a stage than in an operating room. Once again, a big thank you — I am already looking forward to the results in a few months!”
★★★★★
“A more than positive experience at Polyclinic Maletić, both in Zagreb and in Daruvar. I had a hair transplant and I am very satisfied with the approach and the procedure. I recommend it to everyone, especially to women who, like me, lost their hair after an illness. Once again, thank you to the kind team, and especially to Dr. Ana Maletić.”
★★★★★
“I just had a hair transplant. I am satisfied. Well done to Dr. Duško Maletić and the team in Daruvar. They are kind, professional, and do quality work. I recommend them.”
★★★★★
“I had an FUE hair transplant in Zagreb and I often come in for PRP therapy to stimulate new hair growth. Congratulations to Dr. Ana Maletić, Dr. Martina Šarec Ivelj, and the entire staff of the polyclinic. The results are phenomenal and I warmly recommend them.”
★★★★★
“All praise to the entire staff of the polyclinic. I have already had my second PRP scalp treatment and I can only commend the whole team. I would especially like to praise the doctor for her exceptional expertise, patience, and warm approach. From the first examination to the procedure itself I felt safe and informed. The whole course of treatment was professional and well organized — I received clear and detailed instructions before, during, and after the procedure, which gave me extra confidence. The procedure itself was stress-free, with every step explained along the way, which meant a lot to me. The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing, and the staff exceptionally kind and helpful. I am very satisfied with the results so far and look forward to further progress. I definitely recommend it to anyone considering a PRP scalp treatment — you are in safe and expert hands!”
★★★★★
“I have been their patient and admirer for years. They have always known how to make my mom and me feel comfortable and welcome. My mom had a neck lift six years ago, and today I came in for PRP for hair growth. I cannot recommend them enough. Thank you, Ana!”
★★★★★
“A few years ago I saw Dr. Ana Maletić for a facial hair correction using the FUE method, which made my beard somewhat denser. The results are fantastic — the work was done with such dedication and care. From the first meeting at the polyclinic she radiated confidence and knowledge of her work, along with a readiness and kindness to answer every question I had. All recommendations for Dr. Ana and her entire professional and friendly team.”
★★★★★
“A great experience, team, and final result. In short, I had an eyebrow transplant. Everything went exactly as Dr. Ana Maletić explained. The whole team was very kind and professional from start to finish, and I am now at peace because I finally have eyebrows. They look very natural, and the density is just as it should be. All recommendations!”
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Does a hair transplant hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain while it is being carried out. Brief discomfort may be felt when the local anesthetic is applied, and that lasts a few minutes. After the procedure, a feeling of tightness and sensitivity is normal and is well controlled with common painkillers.
Do I have to shave my head?
Not necessarily. The need for trimming is agreed with the patient and matched to the number of follicular units and the chosen technique. With a larger number of follicular units, shorter hair makes the work easier, but there are also approaches where only part of the donor area is trimmed and later covered by the rest of the hair.
How long does the procedure take, and do I stay overnight?
Depending on the number of follicular units, the procedure takes four to eight hours, with breaks. It is performed under local anesthesia and you go home the same day. If you are coming from another city or from abroad, accommodation in Daruvar can be arranged in advance.
Why does the transplanted hair fall out after a month?
That is an expected phase called temporary shedding of the transplanted hairs, or shock loss. The transplanted hair shaft falls out, but the follicle stays in place and enters a resting phase. Growth most often begins after three to four months. Before the procedure we explain that shedding of the transplanted hair does not mean the loss of the transplanted follicle.
When will I see the final result?
The first growth is visible around the third or fourth month, a more pronounced change around the sixth month, and we assess the final appearance after twelve months. With higher density and coarser hair, the final appearance in some patients develops over up to eighteen months.
Will people be able to tell I had a transplant?
The goal is a natural result, which is why special attention goes into planning the hairline, the distribution, and the direction of growth. We adapt the hairline to the shape of your face, the degree of alopecia, and the density of the donor area; single-hair follicular units go into the hairline, while denser units are reserved for the mid-scalp and crown. We do not shape the hairline automatically to match how you looked in early youth, but according to your age, facial proportions, degree of alopecia, and what the donor area allows.
Will the rest of my hair keep falling out after the procedure?
The transplanted follicles from the safe donor area are more resistant to androgenetic alopecia, but your existing hair around them remains subject to it. That is why, alongside the procedure, we also plan how to preserve your existing hair. Without that part of the plan, the result can look uneven over the years.
Book a discreet consultation for a hair transplant
Zagreb and Daruvar, weekdays 8:00–20:00.