The Realistic Timetable For Hair Restoration Surgery
“Doc, how long is it going to take to get my hair back?” is a common question I’ve been asked over these last 29 years in this field. After my own transplant a year ago, I asked Dr. Lopresti this very question…and didn’t stop asking it until I finally saw a difference myself!
What is the timetable from surgery day until all of the hair is fully grown in from a hair transplant?
DAY of TRANSPLANT: Transplant is performed. The grafts contain hairs from the donor area, which have been shaven to essentially skin level.
TWO to THREE WEEKS LATER: These initial hairs grow out of the transplanted grafts. In other words, they fall out. Don’t panic! This is physiologic and normal.
FOUR TO SIX MONTHS LATER: The transplanted area continues to heal, and early new hairs typically begin to emerge around months five to six. At first, these hairs may be fine, light or difficult to see. Don’t judge the transplant yet. This is the beginning of the growth process, not the finished result.
MONTHS SIX TO TWELVE: New transplanted hairs continue to emerge, mature and become more noticeable. Around months nine to twelve, most patients begin to see a more meaningful cosmetic change in density and coverage. Remember, you see your hair every day, so gradual improvement can sometimes be harder for you to recognize than it is for someone comparing your progress photos. The transplant is still maturing during this period, and this is not the final result.
MONTHS SIXTEEN TO EIGHTEEN: By this point, the transplanted hair has typically reached its final stage of growth and maturation. Some patients may mature a little earlier or later, but 16 to 18 months is generally when the final result can be evaluated. The transplanted hair is your own growing hair and can be cut, combed, colored and styled normally.
Having been a hair transplant patient myself, I can truly empathize with my patients who are impatient about seeing their new hair grow sooner rather than later. I can tell you, however, it is worth the wait! The results are amazing.
Dr. Robert Leonard
Founder, Leonard Hair Transplant Associates