Hair restoration surgery is different than any other surgery. It’s minimally invasive, but has the possibility of changing your entire life. While recovery from the procedure is relatively quick, the final results can take up to a year to see. This is what a timeline of your recovery might look like:
Week 1-2: Redness from surgery recedes. Small scabs form and fall off. This is one of the least pleasant and most obvious parts of recovery, but it won’t last very long! At this point, you can feel free to even up the length of your hair, if you feel it’s necessary.
Week 3-4: The implanted hair from the donor site begins to fall out. This is the most discouraging point for most transplant patients, as it seems like the restoration surgery didn’t work. Quite the opposite, this shedding of hairs indicates the transplant did work. The follicles are secure, but the hair falls out, giving way to newer hair. It will take another five months or so until the hair begins to grow back, so never stop believing that it will!
Months 2-4: You will see little active growth during this time frame.
Month 5-6: By the fifth or sixth month after hair restoration, you should be noticing new growth in your hair. The anagen phase of hair growth will take over and hairs will get both longer and thicker.
Months 7-12: Continue to watch your hair grow. Cut it and style it as you desire. Come back to Dr. Stong after the 12th month to check the development of the new hair!
