Hair Transplant One Year Recovery Timeline

If you decide to have a procedure to treat your hair loss, you may have many questions. We’ll answer most of the questions you could have after a surgical hair transplant treatment in this article. Natural Clinic has broken down the recovery process for you into milestones that you can anticipate reaching over a year.

DAY 1

Expect the following:

Following the hair transplant, you will almost likely see the form of your new hairline, with the follicles implanted in their new place. In any event, there will be scabs around every hair follicle, so it may not be as pleasing to the eye as you had hoped. However, the wound will be minor and will recover quickly.

What you need to do is:

All you need to do in the immediate post-operative period is rest. You can relieve the pain by taking the pain pills that have been recommended to you. The donor and recipient areas should not be touched or washed the first night because they are exceedingly sensitive.

To help decrease swelling, sleep on your side with your head elevated on 2-3 pillows. Always remember to follow your doctor’s post-operative care recommendations to the letter as you proceed through the healing process.

DAY 2-4

Expect the following:

In the recipient area, you will have little crusts. However, these will fade to red discolorations after four days of the hair transplant. By this time, the discomfort would have subsided. On the other hand, any swelling on the forehead or around the eyes would have appeared around day 2-3 might peak at day 4. Using a hot and cold compress on the forehead can help to reduce swelling.

What you need to do is:

Keep an eye on the swelling and soreness. If the pain intensity increases, the swelling worsens, or you see any discharges in any of the surgical regions, call your doctor immediately. Because the grafts are still strengthening in their new home, avoid touching, scratching, or rubbing the transplanted areas. Continue to prop your head on pillows to avoid excessive swelling, which will slow down your recovery.

Steroid drugs can also help with swelling reduction, and you should take them as recommended by your surgeon. Depending on how much pre-existing hair you can style over them, you may or may not be able to disguise it. You may need to take a few days off work. A medical certificate from our surgeon might be provided if your job requires face-to-face meetings or strenuous work.

DAY 5-7

Expect the following:

The grafts have become so adapted in the transplanted location that they can no longer be removed at this point.  Scalp tightness should have subsided by now, but scabs could still be visible. Mild itching is sometimes possible, though this is usually a sign of healing.

In an FUE surgery, the donor regions would have been well-healed at this stage. It won’t look like there are separate collected areas longer. After the first week, some patients return to work. At this point, it is also safe to continue physical activity.

What you need to do is:

On the fifth day after the hair transplant, you can resume your usual hair-washing routine. You can keep your shampoo on a little longer to soften the scabs. This will make removing any scabbing or flaking easier. To avoid dislodging the grafts, resist the urge to scratch.

While it is possible to restart physical activity but try to avoid activities that place a lot of strain on the donor areas. For at least four weeks, avoid bending or heavy lifting. While some doctors allow their patients to wear loose-fitting hats around day 3, you should consult with our surgeon to see whether this is something you can do.

DAY 10 – WEEK 4

Expect the following:

The hair follicles will enter a resting state. The scabs of your hair grafts will begin to fall out as a consequence of this. By the end of the third and fourth weeks, most of them will have gone. This should not be a cause for concern because shock loss is a common occurrence. Rest assured that it is the actual root of the follicle that is embedded underneath the skin that will develop a new hair from 3 months post-op, not the tiny hairs that you notice.

Some people may notice pimple-like spots on the donor or transplanted area. They’ll appear to be typical pimples, but they are caused by folliculitis. Infection of the hair follicles is a frequent skin condition. If you notice this, please inform the clinic or surgeon so that they can examine it.

What you need to do is:

Do not distress when hair starts to shed. Simply continue to care for your hair as usual; new hair will eventually grow. If you discover any pimples caused by folliculitis, you should avoid touching them. If you see more than two pimples that have become more painful or inflamed, and if they are recurring, please contact our clinic immediately.

MONTHS 2-3

Expect the following:

Around this time, a significant amount of hair will begin to show indications of growth. However, it may come in a little early for certain patients. At first, this will have a fine texture, but it will soon thicken and become longer. It’s an exciting time since the transplanted follicles are starting to show signals of current growth.

What you need to do is:

You can already groom your hair at this stage, even if the hairs are not the usual thickness.

MONTHS 4-6

Expect the following:

Hair will thicken and lengthen, and there will be some texture changes at the end of this period of the hair transplant recovery. At this stage, you’ll have additional styling options for your hair. The donor area would have also recovered entirely.

What you need to do is:

If everything goes according to plan during your recovery, you can already style or color your hair. At this time, we’d like to meet with you to evaluate your satisfaction and progress, and we’ll schedule a follow-up meeting for the 6th month.  Make sure to return for a thorough examination and photos. Please keep in mind that only approximately 50-60% of hairs will be through and developing at this point, which is roughly halfway through the process. When going outside, it is recommended that you wear a hat to protect your scalp from sunburn.

MONTH 7 – 1 YEAR

What you can expect: 

The patient would have grown 80-90 percent of the hair that had been transplanted. In terms of hair growth, things are looking up at this point. You’ll also notice significant textural changes, with your hair looking fuller and healthier.

What you must do:

At this point, there will be another hair consultation evaluation. To document the improvement, the doctor will take images from various angles. All you have to do now is relax and enjoy your new appearance.

Within 12-18 months, the effects of your hair transplant surgery, whether DHI or FUE, will be most noticeable. Also, keep in mind that each client heals in a unique way. Your experience may differ slightly from the other patient. This is why we stress the necessity of follow-up visits, as they allow us to track your progress while also allowing you to comprehend what’s going on.

If you have any additional questions or require clarification, get your free consultation at Natural Clinic today.