How Long Will It Take for My Hair to Grow After a Transplant?
Over the past few decades, hair transplants have exploded in popularity as a method for combatting hair loss and thinning. As a cosmetic procedure, patients are naturally concerned with what the results will look like and how long it will take to see regrowth. Patients are anxious to find out when they will see the growth of new hair and settle into their new look. As a hair transplant is a protocol that results in artificial hair growth, the process that comes with it is a little different than one might expect.
An FUE (follicular unit excision) hair transplant involves removing hair follicles from the donor site of the patient’s head and placing them into other areas of the scalp that are experiencing thinning. Once they have been put in place, the follicles can take as much as 14 days to take root in the scalp, ensuring new hair growth in the targeted zones.
Hair Transplant Aftercare
In order to see quick hair growth after a hair transplant procedure, it is vital that patients diligently follow the aftercare instructions. One of the main recommendations from doctors is to wash the area carefully with the right type of shampoo and avoid scrubbing the scalp too harshly or using shampoos with damaging formulas.
Once the new follicles are implanted, they enter a ‘dormant’ phase. During this phase, the follicles burrow firmly into the scalp and slowly become secure in their positions. Some people feel alarmed by this phase, as there is no hair output. However, it should be known that this rest period is a natural part of the process. Taking care of the newly implanted hairs during this stage is paramount in ensuring an amazing final result.
Hair Growth After a Hair Transplant
Once the new follicles are firmly established in the patient’s scalp and the healing process has finished, new hair growth starts to develop in the area. Patients with very fine or light hair may not notice this growth right away. This phase of new growth typically takes place anywhere from 12 to 16 weeks after the procedure. While 3 to 4 months may seem like a long time to wait, it is a small amount of time to wait to see new hair growth and coverage of problem areas that have long caused self-consciousness. Somewhere around the 8 to 12-month point, patients will start to see the full results from the new hair growth, allowing them to grow their hair longer and try out new hairstyles that they believed to be unfeasible for them to pull off.
Patients who worry about when their hair will grow after a transplant need to keep in mind that, as with any procedure, the results will take time to set in. Nonetheless, the final outcome is well worth the wait. In order to enhance a hair transplant, patients can speak with their practitioner to find out ways to help improve the final results. Medications, prescribed shampoos, and even massages can greatly impact the results of a hair transplant.
