4 Useful Questions Answered

If you are experiencing permanent baldness, a hair transplant may be the best solution for you. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you will not feel any pain. In this blog post, we will answer all of your questions about hair transplants. How long does the procedure take? Can I go back to work right away? Will I have to wear a bandage after the surgery? We will cover everything you need to know about hair transplants in this post!

How long does the hair transplant procedure take?

How long does a hair transplant take? The hair transplant procedure can last longer depending on the following factors: The procedure being used, and the number of grafts being transplanted.

Dr. Massie of RESTORE Hair answers the question, “How long does a hair transplant procedure take?”

Procedure used

Two types of hair plant surgery can be used. They are:

●  Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT): FUT, or Strip harvesting, is a surgical procedure where a section of hair-bearing scalp is removed from the back of your head and then dissected into individual follicular units. The strip is cut and an experienced technician uses it to dissect the hair grafts. The procedure can take 4 to 6 hours.

●  Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): FUE is a less invasive procedure where individual follicles are extracted one at a time from the donor area. Each hair is extracted one by one. The procedure is labor-intensive and the time it takes depends on the hair transplant team experience and the number of follicles harvested. The procedure can take between 8-10 hours. 

Number of grafts transplanted

The number of grafts that are transplanted will also affect how long the surgery takes. The more grafts that need to be transplanted, the longer the surgery will take. Grafts also known as hair roots will determine the hair transplant procedure duration. Each graft has about 1 to 5 hair strands. 

Can I go back to work right away?

Are you wondering about going to work after a hair transplant?  Returning to work varies from one patient to another. If you have no problem wearing a hat to work, then you can resume the next day. Most people take approximately four days before returning to regular activities.

You should wait until you are fully recovered and there are no signs of surgery. That means you’ll need about 4-10 days off work. Most people take approximately two weeks before returning to vigorous activities.

Here are a few helpful tips for when you want to go back to work as soon as possible.

●  Avoid direct sunlight

●  Rest as much as you can

●  Wear a cap to protect your scalp

●  Use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising.

Will I have to wear a bandage after the surgery?

No, you will not have to wear a bandage after the surgery. You may experience some swelling and bruising in the donor and recipient areas, but this will go away within a few days. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to speak with your doctor.

How long will it take for the hair to grow back?

You are excited to see some hair growth, but you’ll have to exercise some patience. Just like any other procedure, a hair transplant also has a recovery time. It is important to note that everyone heals differently. Most people start seeing results within four to six months after surgery. However, full growth of the transplanted hair can take up to a year. Make sure to wait until the hair has fully grown in before making any judgments about the results.

There are different phases of hair growth after the transplant. So how long for a hair transplant to grow? It will take about 4 months to see results from the hair transplant procedure. Here are the hair growth phases.

Recovery phase

This is the phase where your body is recovering from surgery. This phase lasts between 7-10 days. Here, physical recovery takes place. You’ll be given instructions on what to do and what not to do. The scabs will begin to fall off after a week.

Shedding phase

The shedding phase is between 0 and 3 months. The new hair will not grow within the first three months but will fall out after the procedure. You don’t have to panic because it is a normal part of the hair transplant procedure.

Slow-growth phase

Now here things start to get a little exciting. The slow-growth phase lasts for 3-4 months and your hair starts growing. This is when new hair grows from the transplanted follicles. The hair will be thin and curly. You don’t have to be alarmed by that. You should expect to see between 25-30% of new hair growth at this stage.

Real growth phase

Within 4-6 months, you’ll expect to see some fast growth. The hair fills in nicely and you’ll notice a big difference from the previous months.

Hair maturity

From 6-12 months, the hair begins to mature. Your hair will experience complete growth by one year. The transplant grows at a rate of 1-2 cm per month.

After 12-18 months, the hair will reach its final length. However, it is important to note that not all the transplanted hair will be in this phase at the same time. Some hairs may still be in the growth phase while others are in the resting or shedding phase.

So how long for a hair transplant to grow? It will take about a year for the hair to reach its final length. Remember, everyone heals differently so these timelines may vary from person to person. Make sure to consult with your doctor to get an idea of how long it will take for you specifically. If you’re not happy with the results after one year, then you can consider another procedure.

RESTORE Hair can help you get your hair back now!

If your baldness is bothering you, you can have hair restoration. Have a specialist handle your hair transplant procedure. Get in touch with us today to get started.