If you are planning to undergo a hair transplant, it’s important to know what happens to your hair during and after the procedure to be prepared for each stage. While the recovery process and the time it takes to see hair transplant results vary from patient to patient, most people typically start seeing initial results within about four months after the procedure. With this in mind, there are many factors that affect the timing and type of visible hair transplant results that you should be aware of to have an idea of what to expect after hair transplant surgery.
Typically, the final result of a hair transplant will be visible after 8 to 18 months, but this does not mean that no growth has occurred or that the transplanted hair is not noticeable until then. As you can see in the comparison of photos before and after the hair transplant above, even from the first to the seventh day after the transplant, the areas of the transplanted hair are clearly visible, and you can imagine the desired result. Of course, due to redness and slight swelling in the scalp, the appearance of the transplanted hair may not be ideal, but from the photo on the fourteenth day after the transplant, it is clear that all these side effects have resolved, and only the transplanted hair is visible.
When will the final result of a hair transplant be visible?
Once your hair transplant surgery is complete, you can see where the follicles have been placed to form your new hairline. After going through certain processes, the transplanted hair begins to grow around 5 to 6 months after the transplant, and by 8 to 10 months, as the follicles mature, the hair will become longer and thicker. Keep in mind that the final results may not appear until 12 to 18 months after the transplant. It can be concluded that it usually takes more than a year for the full results of a hair transplant to be visible; however, you can observe the growth of new, natural hair in the treated areas before that time.
The timing of seeing hair transplant results varies for each individual, and people experience different hair growth rates, so all timeframes are based on average experiences. The only thing you can be certain of is that the results are worth the wait. The transplanted follicles grow at different rates depending on various factors; the method used for the transplant and the location of the follicle placement are particularly important for growth speed. For example, follicles in the forehead area grow faster than other parts of the scalp because this area contains several arteries and blood vessels responsible for nourishing the hair.
New hair transplant methods are excellent for restoring the hairline or adding volume to thinning hair, but the best results are seen in those who take the best care during their recovery period. Generally, younger patients see final results more quickly, while in older patients, the hair growth rate, and thus the visibility of the final result, is slower.
Hair Transplant Results at Months 3, 5, and 7
In the third-month photo after a hair transplant, the growth of the transplanted hair is clearly visible, having grown from the transplanted follicles after shock loss; however, the growth rate may vary among individuals, and this visible growth may continue until the fourth or fifth month after the transplant. In the fifth-month photo after a hair transplant, you will see that the transplanted hair has achieved good growth and has blended with the patient’s other hair. From the sixth or seventh month after the transplant, it is impossible to distinguish the transplanted hair from the individual’s natural hair, especially if the person’s hair is short.
Hair Transplant Results After a Few Months
Depending on the thickness of the hair, growth rate, extent of the balding area, and the number of transplanted follicles, differences in hair transplant results can be observed in the months following the procedure. For example, in the photo below, which shows the third to sixth month after the hair transplant, due to the high density of the transplant using the MicroFUE method, the transplanted hair has grown well after six months, and the final result is clearly evident in the photo of the hair transplant after one year.
Results of MicroFUE Hair Transplant
In the MicroFUE hair transplant technique, no bleeding occurs, channels in the recipient area are opened individually, and hair transplantation is performed simultaneously with an implanter pen, meaning the follicles are planted immediately after extraction. In contrast, in previous methods like FUE, the required follicles were fully extracted first and thus remained outside the skin for a long time, which could cause damage. As a result, in the MicroFUE method, damage is minimal and nearly zero; for these reasons, the results of direct hair transplantation are more natural.
Although this method requires more effort and time to achieve results, making the MicroFUE technique more expensive than other methods, its superior results make the higher cost worthwhile. Like all aesthetic procedures, the final and exact price is determined after consultation with the doctor. Another point is that the new hair is transplanted without damaging existing hair, which is a major advantage for individuals who have not completely lost their hair. Additionally, in MicroFUE hair transplantation, the results are more durable due to the lack of damage to the follicles during transplantation and the ability to control their precise placement in the most suitable direction and depth using modern tools. It should also be noted that the more precise the transplantation of each hair follicle and the more suitable the transplant conditions, the higher the density of the transplanted hair, and the results of the hair transplant become visible slightly faster.
What to Expect After a Hair Transplant?
The recovery process begins immediately after the hair transplant procedure. While modern hair transplant methods are performed using only local anesthesia and do not require hospitalization, like any other minimally invasive procedure, a short recovery period is needed for the scalp. Hair transplant specialists provide detailed information during the pre-transplant consultation about what to expect after the procedure, helping you have realistic expectations.
After a week or more, redness, pain, and swelling should largely subside. Your surgeon will advise you on when you can resume normal washing, brushing, and trimming of your hair.
Up to 7 Days After the Hair Transplant
As mentioned, immediately after the hair transplant, you can visually see the shape of your new hairline, but this is not your final result. The extracted follicles have been placed in their new positions, but you must go through the recovery process before you can accurately see the final results. You may notice some scabbing around the newly transplanted hair follicles, but these scabs will be very small and heal quickly within a few days. You may also experience some swelling at the back of the head in the donor area and redness at the transplant site; this swelling and redness are temporary and will subside within a few days after the procedure. Additionally, you may experience some sensitivity or pain, which can be managed with painkillers.
Your surgeon will provide a comprehensive list of post-hair transplant care instructions, which may include things like keeping your head elevated while sleeping and guidelines on when and how to wash your hair after the procedure. The best approach for faster recovery and minimizing side effects is to carefully follow your surgeon’s recommendations. Many patients return to work within 1 to 2 days after the transplant, but some prefer to take a week off to fully recover. It is also recommended to avoid alcohol and smoking for 7 days after the transplant, as these can affect blood flow to the scalp and the speed of recovery. Avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects for at least 10 days, and it’s best to postpone steam rooms, saunas, and any activities that may cause excessive sweating for two weeks.
2 to 4 Weeks After the Hair Transplant
Once the donor hair is transplanted onto areas with thin or bald patches, it will shed after about 3 to 4 weeks. Remember that this is a completely normal and natural event; the transplanted hair is essentially in a state of post-surgical shock, and this is a natural part of its regrowth process. Once this happens, the follicles enter a “resting” phase for about three months, after which they should begin a new growth cycle and gradually grow longer. While they may appear slightly uneven in these early stages, the transplanted hair should grow sufficiently by the fifth or sixth month after surgery for an initial progress assessment. Some doctors may recommend topical solutions or prescribed medications during this period to enhance results and reduce the likelihood of further hair loss.
3 to 8 Months After the Hair Transplant
Hair growth stages begin in the second and third months after the transplant, but you may not notice significant changes in your hair transplant results. After the initial shock loss, your new hair grows at a rate of about 1 centimeter per month, so it takes some time to resemble the result you expected. By 4 to 8 months, your hair should have grown enough for you to see what the final appearance will look like. You should continue caring for your new hair follicles as recommended by your surgeon for up to 18 months after the hair transplant procedure.
1 to 2 Years After the Hair Transplant
As you approach the 12-month mark, the transplanted hair should have established itself and grown at a natural rate, functioning like other hair follicles. Generally, the final results of a hair transplant can take up to 18 months to become fully visible.
A hair transplant is a permanent hair restoration method, with the goal of achieving lifelong results. One to two years after the procedure, no one will notice that you’ve had a hair transplant, and you’ll be completely free to style, cut, or color your hair however you like.
Can the Growth Rate of Hair After a Transplant Be Increased?
One of the best ways to ensure a successful hair transplant is to closely follow the post-transplant care instructions provided by your surgeon. While these care practices may not significantly reduce the time to see full transplant results, they can promote healthy hair growth and reduce the risk of hair loss. Some specialists recommend treatments such as minoxidil, mesotherapy, PRP, and laser therapy to ensure the hair loss process does not continue and to strengthen the transplanted hair.
✔ Solutions and shampoos containing minoxidil, which regenerate hair follicles and encourage them to produce thicker and stronger hair.
✔ Mesotherapy, which provides the vitamins needed for hair growth to the follicles.
✔ PRP treatment, which involves extracting the patient’s own blood platelets and applying them to the scalp to stimulate follicle repair.
✔ Laser therapy, which uses specialized laser light to stimulate a response in dormant follicles.
