Recovery after hair transplantation

Due to awareness, many people are coming forward to have a hair transplant done. Before the procedure, the cosmetic surgeon has to make sure that you are the right candidate for transplant. This procedure does not get over in a single sitting. Depending upon the grafts required, the time for completion will vary. Post the surgical procedure, the surgeon will prescribe certain precautions to be followed.

A hair transplant is sure to give you the best natural looks. But, the question that remains for many people is the time required for recovery. This would include hair regrowth and recovery from the pain and discomfort of the transplant procedure. Whether you had the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method of transplantation, it is done as a daycare procedure only. You are allowed to go back home after the procedure is over.

In the FUE method, the individual hair follicle is picked from other parts of the body to be placed in the balding areas. In the FUT method, however, the skin along with the hair is excised and then each hair follicle is placed in thinning areas.

After a week, any swelling or bleeding and discomfort will slowly subside. In another 2-3 weeks, the transplanted hair may fall off. This is normal in any hair transplant and need not be a cause of worry. The procedure may also leave a scar that takes little time to heal. When the instructions of the surgeon are followed post the procedure, your recovery time will be lesser.

Generally, any strenuous activity is not advised immediately after the surgery. This is because such activities increase the blood flow to the scalp and may lead to bleeding. This will interfere with the recovery time and the growth of new hair follicles. You should also visit your surgeon periodically to find out if the incisions are healing. Light activity may be resumed a couple of days after surgery. You may start going to work too. This also depends on the nature and complexity of the transplantation procedure performed.

You will also be advised not to wash your hair for some time after the transplant. Washing and rubbing the hair may destroy the angle and direction in which the strands have been planted. This may damage the natural look after the transplant.

New hair growth will be seen after 4 months and this may differ between people. After about 8 months, considerable growth can be seen. Some people may require 8 months to 1.5 years for complete recovery. In between, there may be several follow-up visits to the surgeon. If the doctor feels you need a touch-up, to give a natural look he may do so after your scalp has healed.

A hair transplant is done to give a permanent solution to the hair thinning problem. You should consult with your doctor on how often you should visit him after surgery.