Initial growth followed by hair loss
The first three months is propably the most frustrating time for someone that has had the procedure done. Patients are excited and want to see the results. Unfortunately this doesn’t happen over night. The reason is because we rely on natural growth of the hair. This is not like other cosmetic procedures where one can visibly see a change almost immediately after the procedure.
Virtually all the transplanted hairs, traumatized by their relocation, will, as expected, fall out within the first two to three weeks post procedure.Temporary growth of the transplanted hair can be seen from one week after surgery but the growth ceases and the hair shafts begin to fall out with the scabs. This may seem alarming, but is totally normal.
Any hair shedding that occurs after the surgery is just hair shafts. Hair follicles are captured underneath the scalp by ingrowing vessels and are safe 4-5 days after the surgery.
After the shedding the follicles go into the telogen resting phase which takes 8-10 weeks. Because the hairs are individual structures; some of them lose their contact with the follicles totally and fall out first, some may retain thin connections and may fall later. Thus, if the transplant area ever appears patchy initially, do not be alarmed.
The remaining donor area’s hair begins to grow immediately after the transplant and covers the area in a week. Minimal scarring is seen in this area and within two months the donor area will look normal again. Some redness of the skin might still be seen if patients choose to cut the hair in the donor area very short, but no long-term scarring is expected.
3- 6 months (new/ slow growth phase):
3 to 4 months later, new hair begins to grow. At first, the new growing hairs may be thin and curly as the body hair. As they lengthen, the hairs become thicker and straighter.
Due to the fact that at first the hairs grow at different times, the transplant area may still appear patchy at that stage.
6-9 months:
The most noticeable growth and thickening of the growing hairs occur. The new hair grows normally (1-2 cm per month) and will continue to thicken over the next couple of months.
9-12 months (final thickening):
Thickening of the hair occurs.Patients may style their new hair with a precised scissors haircut. During the first year, be sure to advise the stylist or barber to use only scissors – no razors or hair clippers should be used during the first year following your hair transplantation.
The final result appears 12-15 months after the surgery. After twelve months a review at the transplant clinic is done where before and after photos are taken.
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About 10 to 20% hair growth is observed in 3 to 4 months after hair transplant.
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You can see about 50% hair growth after hair transplant over the next six months.
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80% results that you can see after 8 to 9 months.
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One can see 100% of hair transplant results in 9 to 12 months after FUE hair transplant.
Important facts to note after hair transplant to speed the hair growth:
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It would help if you had a balanced diet to get the right nutrition for healthy and quality hair.
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Use medications prescribed by your doctors, such as minoxidil, finasteride, multivitamins.
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You should avoid your physical activities after the hair transplant for at least ten days. This allows the hair follicles to settle entirely on your scalp.
Is redness/pink scalp normal after the procedure and how long does it stay like this?
Your scalp is expected to be quite red or pink following your hair transplant procedure. The healing process requires inflammation and swelling at both the recipient site and donor area. Due to small amounts of bleeding around each individual incision it is also expected to scab up around the newly relocated follicles. This may look like tiny dark red dots on your head. The recipient site will be open and never covered with a bandage. This will cause the healing to take a bit longer than the donor site.
Many factors determine how long your scalp will be red following surgery. Lighter skin tones will experience redness for the longest amount of time. Those with darker skin will likely have their skin return to a normal hue within 2-3 weeks. Other patients who are more prone to slow healing will need additional time. In the worst cases it can take 2-4 months. The size and duration of redness is also tied to the number of transplanted grafts. Larger surgeries tend to have redness for a longer period of time.
Will there be scalp itchiness after hair transplant?
Itching will start within the first week after the surgery. Due to the tightly made inscisions, the itching can become quite significant. Therefore we usually prescribe an antihistamine that will relieve the itching. Using the spray on liquid will also help relieving the symptoms.
Itching can then again start around the 1-month mark as new hairs begin to grow.
It is essential to not scratch the donor and transplanted areas. Scratching the transplanted area can dislodge or damage the follicles and cause an area not to grow out properly. Scratching the donor area and removing scabs prematurely can cause scarring in the area.
When can you start to remove the scabbing?
Starting on day 10 post surgery.
How should the scabbing be removed?
Patients will be seen on day 10 post surgery. One of our staff will then do a final wash and gently remove the scabs.
If you have any remaining scabs after day 10 you can use moderate pressure with the pads of your finger to massage the scabs until they release.
How long should it take before all the scabs are removed?
We don’t recommend doing it all in one day. The process can be completed once daily, over multiple days. There is no set date to remove all of them but on average a vast majority of the scabs should be removed by day 10 or 11.
What to avoid when removing the scabs?
Do not use your fingernails to pick or pull the scabs off, merely massage the scabbing to soften the area. Prying or picking at the scabs may cause excess bleeding so be gentle.
Why should the scabs be removed?
It is important to follow this advice because if you do not remove the scabbing on time you are at higher risk for infection.
Will removing the scabs damage the implanted grafts?
By day three through five the grafts will have attached themselves securely under the scalp. It is important to give each follicle time to attach to the surrounding blood vessels before working the scab away. Doing this too early can harm the graft and prolong the recovery stage.