Q: How does a hair transplant prevent hair loss? — M.M., White Plains, N.Y.

A: It doesn’t. Surgical hair restoration does just what it says. It restores hair to an area where the hair has been lost (by borrowing it from an area of greater density that is less important cosmetically, such as the back of the scalp).

To prevent, or slow down, further balding one would need to receive treatment with hair loss medication such as finasteride (Propecia).