After surgery, the transplanted hair grafts will go through a number of phases before finally meeting the desired results. Growth occurs over approximately 1 year or slightly more than a year before achieving final results. The following timeline will help you understand what to expect for your own recovery period.
1 – 7 Days After Surgery
The first few days after the surgery the patient can expect mild swelling in the forehead area. This usually begins on day three and is completely dissipated by day six. The patient also develops very small blood clots at the incision sites and these usually flake off in anywhere from five to seven days. Any redness that has lingered after the surgery is usually gone by day seven and the recipient area is slightly pinkish for the next few weeks.
Check out David’s hair transplant timeline to see pictures of his hair transplant recovery.
10 – 14 days After Surgery
10 – 14 days after the procedure the surgical staples are ready to be removed. This process can be performed by Hasson & Wong, by your local doctor or even at home. Roughly three weeks after your procedure you may begin to experience some shedding of the transplanted hairs. This is completely normal and is to be expected. This occurs due to the temporary dormant phase that all hair grafts go through after any hair restoration procedure. See a full list of potential hair transplant side effects.
1 -2 Months After Surgery
Over the next several weeks to few months the average patient can expect to see a few new hair sprouts coming through the surface of the scalp. This new growth period varies from patient to patient but the average is three months. The new hair may not necessarily grow in evenly but it will all grow in eventually. The new hair will be thin and fine but will thicken over time. During this time the patient may also notice the formation of an acne-like condition in the recipient area. This is normal and is only some of the new hairs trying to grow through the scalp. Sometimes these can become temporarily trapped under the skin like an ingrown hair but the condition is temporary. This is a positive sign of new growth!
5 – 6 Months After Surgery
By the fifth to sixth month after the procedure the patient can expect to see considerable new growth. The new hair will be approximately two to three inches in length and the hair shaft will begin to thicken.
Note: photo above is only 3 months after surgery.
8-10 Months After Surgery
Between months eight and ten the patient will see the most impressive difference since the initial procedure. The hair will be longer and much thicker and the overall appearance will be one of greater density than even a few short months before.
Note: photo above is only 7 months after surgery.
1 Year After Surgery
By the time a full year has passed since the procedure the patient will see the final result however improvements may still be seen well over a year out from the surgery.
The hair that is now growing will continue to grow for the rest of the patient’s life and can be cut and styled in any manner the patient wishes. There is no special regimen required to care for the new hair. Standard shampoos and other hair products are perfectly safe. The patient can treat the new hair as they always have because it is their own hair that has simply been relocated.
