Everything you need to know about hair transplant surgery

What is a hair transplant procedure?

In simple terms, a hair transplant is a surgical procedure designed to treat hair loss or baldness. It involves extracting hair follicles from a specific donor area, typically the back or sides of your scalp, before implanting them into any areas of the scalp where there is balding or thinning. The transplanted hair follicles then continue to grow in this new location. The procedure does not just restore your hair and your hairline, it gives you a new lease of life too, boosting your confidence and restoring a more natural look.

There are two main types of hair transplant procedures:

FUE has become more popular than FUT because it’s less likely to lead to a “hair plug” look, where sections of skin or hair don’t match the surrounding areas. It also won’t leave a large scar like FUT does. The best candidate for a FUE hair transplant is someone with thinning hair or balding who still has enough hair to use for a transplant. .

Do hair transplants hurt?

Generally speaking, hair transplants are not painful after giving the initial local anesthesia injections. During the procedure itself, local anesthetic will be injected into your scalp to prevent you from feeling any discomfort. Certain other techniques may also be used to make you feel more at ease.

Benefits of FUE Hair Transplant

HAIR TRANSPLANT RECOVERY TIMELINE

The full effect of your hair transplant surgery, whether if it is a FUT or FUE procedure, will be most noticeable within 12-18 months. Also understand that each client heals differently. Your journey may be slightly different from the next patient.

Here is the recovery timeline for you according to milestones that you can expect in a span of one year.

WEEK 1

DAY 1

What you can expect:

For those who had a FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) procedure, expect the overall recipient site to appear slightly bruised, while the donor area is closed with fine sutures. This will be covered by a dressing. Depending on the doctor’s orders, the dressing may be removed the next day during a follow-up review. The donor and recipient site may be a bit sore and feel slightly tight due to swelling and suturing. If you underwent an FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) procedure, most likely the back and sides of your head would have been shaved. The tiny incisions in the donor area will heal remarkably fast within 24-48 hours. This means that recovery is much faster than a FUT procedure.

What you must do:

During the immediate post-operative phase, all you need to do is rest. You can take the prescribed pain medications to relieve the pain. It is not advisable to touch or wash the donor and recipient areas during the first night as this can be very sensitive. Sleep on your side with your head elevated on 2-3 pillows to help minimize swelling. As you move forward with the healing process, always remember to follow your doctor’s post-operative care instructions to the letter.

DAY 2-4

What you can expect:

You will have tiny little crusts in the recipient area, but around day four this would soon be pinkish discolorations. The pain would have lessened by this time. However, any swelling on the forehead or around the eyes would have started to show around day 2-3 and would have peaked at day 4. To minimize swelling use a cold compress on the forehead.

What you must do:

Avoid touching, scratching or rubbing the transplanted areas as the grafts are still on their way of becoming stronger in their new home. Continue to prop your head on pillows to prevent too much swelling as this could also slow down healing. Steroid medications can also help decrease swelling, and you should take these according to your surgeon’s instructions. You may require to take a few days off work if your work involves face to face meetings or strenuous work.

DAY 5-7

What you can expect:

By this time, the grafts are now adapted in the transplanted area that they can no longer be dislodged. Over at the donor site, the sutures (for FUT) are still in place. Scalp tightness should have gone at this point; however, scabs may still be present. You may also notice mild itching, but this is normally a sign of healing.

The donor areas in an FUE procedure would have been typically well-healed at this point. It will no longer appear like distinct harvested areas. Some patients return to work after the first week. It is also safe to resume physical activities at this point.

What you must do:

You can already go back to your normal hair washing routine on the fifth day after surgery. To soften the scabs, you can leave your shampoo on a bit longer. This will make it easier to wash off any scabbing or flaking. So do not scratch so as not to dislodge the grafts.

While it is already safe to resume physical activities, it is best to be safe by avoiding activities that put a great deal of tension on the donor areas. Avoid bending or heavy lifting for at least 4 weeks.

WEEK 2-4

DAY 10

What to expect:

Any crusting or scabbing would have been gone and transplanted hair would have grown to appear like a “crew-cut” haircut. Post-FUT patients can expect the sutures to be removed at this point. Now that the wound has closed, removing the stiches that held the skin together will make it heal better. The doctor can also now assess how your healing is coming along.

What you must do:

If there are still some scabs that remain. Don’t forcibly try to remove them. Continue with your usual hair care routine and the little scabs will come away on their own, without you applying undue pressure.

WEEK 4

DAY 11

What you can expect:

The hair follicles will go into a resting phase. This means that the shafts of your hair grafts will start to fall off. You will notice that most will be gone by the end of the 3rd and 4th week. This should be no cause for worry because this is a normal phenomenon called shock loss. Rest assured it’s not the actual little hairs that you see that are the important part of the process, it’s the actual root of the follicle that is imbedded under the skin, that will regrow a new hair from 3 months post-op.

What you must do:

Don’t panic when hair starts to shed. Simply continue with your usual hair care; eventually new hair will grow. As for any pimples caused by folliculitis that you may notice, it is best that you avoid touching them. If you find more than 2 pimples that have become more painful or inflamed and if it is recurring, report this to your doctor immediately. The pimples generally clear up quickly with the use of a cortisone ointment and/or short course of antibiotics.

MONTHS 2-3

What you can expect:

There will be a considerable amount of hair that will start showing signs of growth around this time, although it may come in a bit earlier for some patients. This will have a fine texture at first and will eventually grow longer and thicker. Meanwhile, the donor scar in an FUT would have matured and shrunk to its final size and shape. It’s an exciting time, as you visually can see the first signs of the new growth from the transplanted hairs.

What you must do:

Even though the hairs are not in its usual thickness yet, you can already groom your hair at this point.

MONTHS 4-6

What you can expect:

You can expect the hair to grow thicker and longer and will have some textural changes towards the end of this period. You will have more options on styling your hair at this point. The donor area would have completely healed as well.

What you must do:

Be sure to meet your doctor for proper assessment of your progress and for photos to be taken. However, please bear in mind only about 50-60% of hairs will be through and growing at this stage, basically the half way mark. Wearing a cap when going outdoors is advisable to protect your scalp from sunburn.

MONTH 7 – 1 YEAR

What you can expect:

The patient would have grown 80-90% of the transplanted hair. Things are looking up at this point, in terms of hair growth. You will also notice remarkable textural changes where your hairs will finally look more fuller and healthier.

What you must do:

There will be another hair consultation review at this point. The doctor will take photos at different angles to document the progress. All you really have to do now is to enjoy your new look.