Hair Growth After Hair Transplantation

It is critical to take proper care after your hair transplant procedure in order to achieve long term results. Our staff will provide you with all of the information you need to properly care for your scalp and hair.

The first day after hair transplantation is the most sensitive day for hair transplantation. The hair follicles adapt to the placement in the first few days and should be cleaned carefully. It is safe to use your regular shampoo on your entire head about five days after hair restoration. It is critical to clean the crusts during shampooing to avoid inhibiting new hair growth. However, if the crusts are not removed within five days, the transplanted hair follicles may be damaged.

Following hair transplant surgery, some general complications such as swelling, redness, or discomfort in the transplanted area are possible. These are normal reactions that usually pass quickly. Because of the abundant blood flow to the scalp and the low risk of infection, antibiotics are usually not required following hair restoration surgery.

Timeline for After Hair Transplant Growth

So you got a hair transplant; when can you expect to see the results? How do you know if you’re on track, or if your growth rate is faster or slower than the average patient?

Hair transplantation’s growth and the appearance of its results are actually determined by two distinct factors: burst and maturation. Explosion refers to new, transplanted hairs that penetrate or explode into the scalp; maturation refers to these hairs thickening, darkening, and naturalizing. When all of the hairs pop from the scalp and each hair has fully matured by thickening, darkening, and normalizing its texture, the hair transplant has reached its final stage of growth.

The hair follicles enter a natural resting phase after transplantation. The small hairs in the follicles fall out 2-4 weeks after the procedure, and no new hair growth is seen until the third month, when the follicles awaken. In the third month, new follicles awaken, and hair begins to grow; changes can be seen up to 12 months after surgery, and often up to 18 months. This means that the full growth and appearance of a transplant will take at least a year, if not a year and a half.

The following is how newly transplanted hair grows:

New hair begins to pop on the scalp at 3 months. Approximately 30% of the hairs had penetrated by the end of the third month. 40% occur at 4 months, and 50% occur at 5 months. At 6 months, approximately 60% to 70% of the new hair has fully penetrated the scalp. By the ninth month, 90-100 percent of the hair will have populated from the scalp, and the majority of changes in hair transplantation after this point are due to immaturity.

How to Grow Transplanted Hair

Scalp hair does not grow all at once. Hairs may be growing, resting, or shedding at any given time. They cycle according to their own schedule. Transplanted hairs cycle in the same haphazard manner. The process of removing, dissecting, and transplanting donor hair shocks the follicles into resting. As a result, most patients will shed all or most of the hairs in the grafts 6-8 weeks after surgery. It has been observed that the use of Minoxidil post-op may reduce this shedding in some cases.

The transplanted hairs begin to germinate beneath the skin 2-3 months after surgery. Ingrown hairs can occur on occasion. They appear in the grafted area as red, raised, pimple-like bumps. Ingrown hairs will go away on their own. Warm compresses can be applied to the affected area as well.

Transplanted hairs begin to regrow visibly between months 4-6. At month 6, a patient can expect growth from 40-60% of the transplants. Because of the random cycle of hair growth, not all grafts will begin to grow at the same time. At first, the hair may be thinner and finer. As it matures, it will grow in length and density. Typically, full growth from transplants occurs after 12 months. This can take up to 18 months in some cases. This is particularly prevalent in female patients. The transplanted hairs will grow in length over time.

Will my Hair Growth Cycle be altered as a Result of a Hair Transplant?

After a Hair Transplant, your hair will continue to grow at the same rate it did before the transplant, implying that it will continue to grow at the same rate it did before the transplant. Most patients will experience some shedding of newly transplanted hairs a few weeks after treatment, which is completely normal and causes no concern. This is because the follicle was temporarily deprived of its blood supply. The follicle and graft will remain intact, and most patients will notice new hair growing 3-4 months after any loss.

What month do you see the most growth after hair transplant?

Hair transplant surgery involves the transplantation of hair follicles from a donor site to a recipient site to address hair loss in both men and women. Patients are often curious about when they can expect to see significant growth after the procedure.

The most substantial growth occurs around the three to five months following the surgery. During this period, the transplanted hair follicles start to establish a blood supply and begin growing hair. Patients can anticipate seeing around 50% of the final result by six months, with full growth expected between 12 to 18 months post-surgery.

However, the growth timeline may vary depending on each individual’s unique circumstances and the extent of their hair loss. Patients should follow their surgeon’s post-operative guidelines closely and maintain realistic expectations regarding the growth process.

Reference:
https://nashvillehairdoctor.com/recovery-after-hair-transplant/timeline