Hair Transplant Timeline: What To Expect
A hair transplant is a permanent solution for reversing hair loss, but it is not an instant solution, and it can take over a year to see the full results. Therefore, it is important to be patient after a hair transplant procedure and follow your surgeon’s aftercare and recovery guidelines. This article will provide a detailed timeline of the hair growth you can expect after a hair transplant.
Stages Of Hair Growth
To better understand the recovery timeline following a hair transplant, it is important to understand the stages of hair growth. Hair growth occurs in four distinct phases, which are:
- Anagen phase (growth phase)
- Catagen phase (transition phase)
- Telogen phase (resting phase)
- Exogen phase (hair shedding phase)
Anagen
During the anagen phase, which is the longest of the four stages, hair growth occurs. This phase typically lasts for three to five years, though in some cases, hair can continue to grow for up to seven years. Hairs are pushed out by the hair follicles during anagen and continue to grow until they have reached the end of their lifespan. It is noteworthy that scalp hairs generally have a more extended anagen phase than facial or pubic hairs.
Catagen
Catagen is the transitional phase that occurs after anagen. During this phase, which lasts approximately ten days, hair growth slows down, and hair follicles start to shrink. Then, the hair separates from the hair follicle but remains on the scalp for the last few days of growth. Only about 3-5% of hairs are in the catagen phase at any time.
Telogen
During the telogen phase, which comes after the transitional catagen phase, the hair is in a resting state for about three months after it has stopped growing. It remains in place during this period while new hairs are forming in the hair follicles. Around 10-15% of hairs are typically in the telogen phase at any given time.
Exogen
During the exogen phase, hair that has been separated from the follicle and has stopped growing will fall out. This phase can last two to five months, and hair shedding can occur during activities such as sleeping, washing, or brushing your hair. As old hairs are shed during the exogen phase, new hairs are already growing in the hair follicles, preparing to go through the cycle of hair growth and loss again.
Hair Transplant After 7 Days
We will commence the hair transplant timeline now, beginning with what you can expect immediately after the transplant and continuing up to the seven-day milestone.
After your hair transplant, both the donor area (where the hair grafts are taken from) and the recipient area (where your new hair will grow) will undergo a healing process. These areas will be bandaged, and you may experience discomfort and itchiness as scabs form and eventually fall off. You must adhere to the aftercare instructions given by your clinic during this period.
During the first seven days after your hair transplant, if you experience any discomfort or difficulty sleeping, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. It’s also advisable to wear a hat or the headwear provided by your clinic when going outside to safeguard yourself against environmental factors.
Moreover, refrain from washing your hair until instructed (usually five days following the hair transplant), rubbing your hair with towels, scratching your scalp, or participating in any rigorous physical activity for two weeks.
Hair Transplant After 2 Weeks
After two weeks of your hair transplant, you will experience more changes. The healing process will be well underway, and although swelling should have subsided, you may still have some redness and itchiness as the scabs fall off naturally. You can now engage in physical activities without the risk of irritating your scalp, and you should be able to sleep comfortably in any position.
Around this time, you may notice some hair shedding from the recipient area, a completely normal part of the hair growth cycle. New hair will begin to grow from the follicles.
At this stage, you can resume your regular activities, exercise, and even soak your head in the bath to assist in washing away the scabs. However, avoid picking any remaining scabs off.
Hair Transplant After 1 Month
In the recipient area, more hair will enter the resting (telogen) phase and eventually fall out (exogen), the primary process that causes shedding after a hair transplant. Since the hairs in the recipient area are in different stages of the growth cycle, that portion of your scalp may appear uneven in growth, but there’s no reason for concern. By this time, new hair should have already grown and covered the donor site.
Contact your clinic if you notice any persistent inflammation, such as very red and hot skin. Don’t worry about your transplanted hair falling out, as this is a natural aspect of the recovery process.
Hair Transplant After 2 Months
At two months, the hair growth cycle and shedding process, as explained in the previous section, will continue. The rate at which this occurs may differ from person to person.
It’s crucial to remain patient and not worry about unevenness in your scalp, as different regions of the recipient area will be in various stages of the hair growth cycle.
Hair Transplant After 3 Months
In the third month, you will observe the emergence of your new hairs. Due to their immaturity, these hairs are likely to have a wispy, thin, and nearly transparent appearance.
As your new hair continues to grow, it’s important to remain patient. Don’t be alarmed by the appearance of these new hairs, which may resemble body hair. Over time, your hair will become thicker and more robust.
4 Months After The Hair Transplant
At month 4, you should have seen more hair growth. Initially, the growth may still appear uneven or patchy, but it will eventually become more uniform.
Hair Transplant: 6 Months
You are now beyond what some call the ‘ugly duckling stage.’ You will observe significant growth from your new hairs as they become thicker and stronger. This growth will continue for the next few months.
It’s important to remember that many factors can affect growth rates, including the transplant technique and the location of the recipient area. Therefore, it’s unrealistic to expect the final outcome of your hair transplant by this stage.
Hair Transplant 9-12 Months
As your new hair continues to grow at a rate of around 1-2cm per month, it will become thicker. Once your hair has grown sufficiently long, you can have it cut and styled as you wish.
Hair Transplant 12-18 Months
Between 1 year and 18 months after your hair transplant, you should expect to see the final result. By this time, all your transplanted hairs should have fully matured, penetrated through the scalp, and thickened and darkened to their full extent. You can now treat and enjoy your new hair just as you would in any normal situation.
Need help ?
If you require any additional information regarding your hair transplant procedure please leave us your details below and a friendly fully trained telephone representative will give you a call back as soon as possible. All calls are completely confidential.