Hair transplantation takes a long time to achieve results. It usually takes more than one procedure to achieve the desired results. Your dermatologist sterilizes and numbs the scalp with a local anesthetic before surgery. They then use FUT or FUE to remove healthy hair follicles from the back of your head.
Day 1
At this stage, the transplanted follicles will be very thin and may look almost transparent due to their lack of maturity. However, this patchiness is a normal part of the hair transplant growth timeline, and it is important not to panic about it. The transplanted follicles go through the shock loss phase, where they shed and enter the dormant or resting phase. It is not a sign of failure, as the follicles will be safely embedded in your scalp and start producing again once they have reached the end of their telogen cycle.
Day 2
You should see the hair transplant results taking shape at this stage. You may notice some red, pimply bumps in the recipient area. These are caused by new hair shafts pushing through the old ones, so don’t be alarmed if you notice them. During the third week, your hair will begin to fall out as it enters a dormant phase (also called shock loss). It is normal and nothing to worry about. You should see visible progress in the transplanted follicles by this month’s end. It takes about six months for the transplanted hair to mature, which is when you will see actual cosmetic results.
Day 3
Around this time, your transplanted hair will begin to strengthen, and the redness and scabbing will disappear. It is a great sign that the healing process is moving in the right direction! During this period, your hair follicles will go into a natural resting phase. You may experience some hair shedding at this point which is completely normal and not to worry about!
At month 3, the “growth” stage begins. Your new hairs will start to pop through and mature by thickening and darkening, blending with your natural hair growth. It will give you the full results you desire!
Day 4
By this time, more and more of your transplanted hairs will have ‘popped through.’ These will begin to mature, giving your hair a thicker appearance. During this stage, you may experience a little hair shedding, which is normal. The shock of your hair transplant causes your follicles to enter a resting phase (called telogen) until new growth germinates.
The donor area should be healing by now, with any scabs and redness starting to disappear. It’s still important to resist scratching or vigorously washing your hair, as this could dislodge the grafts.
Day 5
The transplanted area’s redness, tenderness, and scabbing at this stage should have largely subsided. You should be able to gently clear away scabs and shower with special shampoo to wash the transplanted areas of your scalp. Your implanted hairs enter the resting phase (called telogen) during this time. It is normal and doesn’t mean that your transplanted hairs have failed. Around this point, you’ll see the beginnings of new growth from your transplanted follicles. It will grow gradually over the next few months until you can’t even tell where your transplanted hair ends and your natural hair begins.
Day 6
Around day six, your scabs will have flaked off, and the area should be mostly healed. You may still have some scabs in the crown region, but they should be clear by day 8. The growth phase has started, and the transplanted hairs will begin to appear. They will first ‘pop through’ the scalp looking like small dots, then mature in density and thickness over time. The hairline design is now visible and should match your natural growth pattern. You may now style your hair whichever you choose. Your results will last forever. Typically it takes up to 18 months for the transplanted hairs to fully mature and grow.
Day 7
By day seven, the transplanted hair follicles will have entered their resting phase. Blood clots that have formed will flake away, and any redness in the recipient area should start to dissipate. The transplanted area should continue to be washed gently to avoid removing the new hairs.
This process is long but a good sign if you’ve made it this far. The transplanted follicles are now a third of the way through their resting cycle, so it may take up to a year to see your full results. It’s a small price to pay for the confidence that comes with a new head of hair.
Day 8
During this time, you can see results from your hair transplant. The transplanted follicles will enter the dormant phase of their growth cycle (also known as shock loss). This process can cause your hair to fall out, but this is normal and doesn’t mean the grafts failed. Rather, the follicles have entered their resting phase and will be ready to grow once again when stimulated. You can also begin to brush and wash your hair again. You may also notice the swelling and scabbing have diminished substantially.
Day 9
Around this time, the transplanted hair will begin ‘popping through’ and maturing. It means it will start to appear as little dots on your scalp, allowing you to see the progress made by your new hairs. It is normal to experience some redness and swelling in the scalp, but this can be alleviated with over-the-counter analgesics and massage your head gently. Some scabbing may also occur, but this should clear up within a week or two. Around this point, most patients will start to notice growth from their transplanted hairs. However, it can take up to a year before patients reach their final results.
