The hair transplant journey is one that requires patience. This is why many people who are considering a hair transplant are wondering about the growth timeline and recovery period. If you are also curious about what it takes to get that dream hair after a transplant operation, taking a close look at the timeline might be helpful.
Knowing the details of the recovery can help you decide whether you are up for starting this journey and how much time you should be investing.
If you consider that in the end hair transplant offers great permanent results, the recovery journey is worth going through. Here, let’s see what hair transplant recovery day by day looks like.
Right after hair transplant
Right after your surgery, you will be wearing a light covering the protect the delicate areas. You can also notice some redness and swelling around the transplant area. It is important to be as careful as possible during the first 48 hours to make sure your grafts are settling and healing is started. Then we will start tracking the hair transplant progress closely starting from week 1.
Hair transplant after 1 week
After the first week, your head will get scabby but the redness will go down. Your scalp will be still healing, and you may see some hair growth, not even close to your final result, at this stage.
Week 1 aftercare
Because your scalp will still be healing from the transplant operation, it is crucial to be gentle with this area and not touch the scalp as much as possible. You can see some scabs forming which you should not pick at under any circumstances. Try to keep your head elevated to reduce swelling at this stage.
Hair transplant after 2 weeks
After two weeks you can notice that the healing is much faster. You can sleep in a normal position but still pay attention to not rubbing on the transplanted area while sleeping. The swelling will start to go down and the scabs should start to fall. Make sure you get rid of your scabs in 10 days; your clinic will be assisting you in regards to this step.
Hair transplant growth month by month
After the first two weeks of rapid changes in your hair, you can start to track your progress for hair transplant growth month by month where you can see bigger changes.
Hair transplant after 1 month
After 1 month, newly transplanted hair follicles will have settled in, and the scar tissue will be healed. You can notice that most of the discomfort, sensitivity, and itchiness have eased. Now you can start having mild exercises.
Hair transplant after 2 months
After 2 months, you will be experiencing one of the most annoying stages of a hair transplant. You will start experiencing “shock loss” which is a natural phenomenon that is caused by the transplanted hair follicles’ growth cycle. Though it might be frustrating, keep in mind that it is normal and won’t be affecting the success of your hair transplant.
Will there be shock loss in the donor area?
Usually, the transplant area is affected by shock loss. It is extremely uncommon to experience shock loss in the donor area.
How long does shock loss last after a hair transplant?
The shock loss phase on the recipient area can last up to 4 months, which you will see noticeable regrowth afterwards.
Hair transplant after 3 months
You can notice some hair growth after 3 months hair transplant but you should not be expecting a uniform growth. Your newly transplanted hair will start to grow slowly and independently.
Hair transplant after 4 months
4 months after your hair transplant you can see new hair growing and an increase in hair density. However, you will still be far away from your end goal.
Will I see any results after 4 months?
Yes, the phase between 4 – 5 months is generally boosts the motivation of the patient as you will start noticing significant growth after 4 months. However, your hair may grow uneven or there could be areas with less density.
Hair transplant after 5 months
After 5 months, your hair will have started to significantly recover from the shock loss. You can see a higher number of new hairs growing.
Hair transplant after 6 months
Hair transplant after 6 months should be picking up the pace and you should be able to see some satisfying hair growth results. If you haven’t reached a full head of hair, that’s still okay. Hair transplant growth timeline does not work the same for everyone. You can wait for 2-3 more months to see more significant results up to 1 year from the date of our surgery.
What should I do if there is no density 6 months after the hair transplant?
Usually, you should be able to see increased hair density after 6 months of your hair transplant. However, if you don’t see hair transplant progress after 6 months, it does not mean that you should be worried. You might have to wait for a little bit longer as the final result of the hair transplant sometimes becomes noticeable after 12-14 months of the surgery. You can consult with your surgeon to see if there is anything to be worried about.
Does hair transplant thicken after 6 months?
Hair transplant may start to thicken after 6 months. But it is important to note that the 6 months mark still can be a halfway through the hair growth journey.
How long is recovery after a hair transplant?
The initial recovery period after a hair transplant takes 10-14 days. However, your scalp will still continue healing after this point. In terms of seeing the final results, it will take up to one year.
How can I speed up hair growth after a hair transplant?
If you want a faster hair growth after a hair transplant, there are some things you can do that might help speed up the process. First, care to maintain healthy habits such as a balanced nutritious diet and avoiding smoking. Proper aftercare also has a great impact on hair growth after a transplant procedure. You can also try supplementary treatments such as minoxidil and platelet rich plasma. Both treatments are known to stimulate hair growth.
How do I know if my hair transplant failed?
Usually, it is not easy to know whether a hair transplant has gone wrong before the 12-month mark. However, patchy areas as well as infections or skin abnormalities can be concerning signs. If you are not sure about the success of your hair transplant, make sure to consult with your surgeon.
When can you get a 2nd hair transplant?
Yes, getting a second hair transplant is possible. Whether you are looking to further increase hair density or looking for a restorative transplant after an unsatisfactory hair transplant, you can consider a second hair transplant.
Do you wish to know more about the progress? Feel free to shoot any questions for our team of experts to answer via WhatsApp button on the bottom-left or our contact form. Who knows, maybe you path to a youthful look with higher confidence lays one click away.
