Laser Hair Therapy

FUE hair transplant recovery: what you need to know

You’ll feel pretty normal the day after your procedure, but you have to take good care of your hair grafts for 10 days. Afterwards, you may not see your results for a year, but it will be well worth the wait.

 

It feels great to get a hair transplant using the FUE method. Physically and emotionally, having a full head of hair can be beneficial. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplant is less invasive than FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), and the recovery time is much shorter. The healing process begins as soon as the treatment is complete. Unlike FUT, this procedure does not remove skin strips; it just gathers hair follicles from the donor location. As a result, you can exercise and go to work right after your hair transplant. The main issue is, of course, how long it will take for your hair to recover and when it will seem natural and healthy again. During the healing process, it’s critical to avoid harm or infection in this region. Here’s all you need to know about how long it takes to recuperate from an FUE hair transplant.

FUE Transplant Recovery Timeline

By the end of the first week, the soreness, swelling, and scabbing should have subsided, leaving you with crew-cut style short hair on the scalp. After that, you may expect the following hair regeneration and recovery milestones. 2-3 Weeks: The freshly transplanted hair will fall out two to three weeks following an FUE hair transplant. This is a regular occurrence and nothing to be concerned about. This is a typical part of the hair growth cycle. The follicle stays healthy and goes back to the growth stage within a few weeks, even if hair loss occurs. 2-3 Months: The transplanted hair is still in its resting phase. The patient with FUE generally appears the same at this time as before the procedure; this is also common. Keep following all postoperative instructions and schedule follow-up appointments with your doctor. 4th Month: You will notice fresh hair growth from the transplanted follicle after four months. However, because healing time and experience differ, new hair growth may take longer in certain people. We have seen patients take up to 14 months to see growth. New hair growth at this stage might be sensitive and thin, resulting in poor long-term FUE outcomes. 8-9 Months: By the ninth month, your hair will get considerably longer and thicker, allowing you to style it whatever you choose. Continue with a follow-up examination with the doctor. One Year: The transplant procedure will be complete in growth, thickness, and density after one year following surgery. At this stage, the majority of your follicles will produce healthy hair. Many hair transplant patients who seek improved protection can determine if they are appropriate candidates for repeat surgery after around a year.

What Will My Appearance Be Like After The FUE Hair Transplant?

Your hair will be trimmed to a grade zero on the back and sides during your FUE hair transplant, with plenty of little “red dots” where hairs have been taken (donor site). Implanted hairs will sit freely at the top of the scalp (receiver site) and will eventually embed in their new location. Any bandages you may have are usually removed the day after your surgery. 

As a result, you’ll have a very short hairstyle with “red spots” on the back and scabby hairs on top. Patients frequently worry about how long they will remain in this state. Of course, it differs from one individual to the next. If you have thick, fast-growing hair, the donor location can be covered in as little as three days. In most cases, it heals quickly and completely covers in five days. The hairs implanted in the recipient location may be more visible. 

FUE hair transplants can be performed without shaving the top of your head. As a result, you may use your hairs to hide the implanted hairs right away. Scabs that do occur following the hair transplant should fade within 10 days. You may aid the healing process by gently soaking the scabs with the saltwater spray offered. It is critical not to pick the scabs since this may cause the new hair roots to pull out. Instead, let the scabs fall out on their own.

When will I be able to wash and style my hair again after FUE hair transplant surgery?

The length of recovery and the stages of recovery differ from one patient to the next. After a hair transplant, however, it takes 10 days for the transplanted hair transplants to properly attach to your scalp. As a result, patients should exercise caution during the first 10 days. You’ll be able to shampoo your hair on day five. By day ten, you should be able to style your hair any way you like. 

When can I return to work after a hair transplant?

Because FUE is a minimally invasive technique, you should be able to return to work within a day or two if your profession does not demand heavy lifting. Many patients have their operations on a Thursday or Friday and return to work the following Monday. It is up to you to determine how long you should wait before returning to work. The most vital issue for most patients is how discreetly they want to continue their recovery. Significant adverse effects occur in the first week to ten days following hair restoration surgery, and you should wait for them to reduce before going back to work.

How long will my FUE hair transplant take to grow out?

Some patients can grow their transplants in as little as five months. This is an extremely unusual and fast occurrence! Full outcomes, on the other hand, are visible 12-18 months after the transplant. Patience is essential after a hair transplant since you must wait for the hairs to lose and then regenerate over a year. Approximately 80% of your implanted grafts should have begun to develop after the first eight months. By 12 months, all of your grafts should have developed to their full potential. These hairs will thicken over the next six months, giving your hair a fuller look.

Conclusion

You will be delighted with the outcomes if the FUE treatment is effectively performed in clinics that satisfy the required conditions. The patient can resume their usual routine almost immediately following the FUE hair transplant. However, it only takes 7-10 days for canker sores and the appearance of the crust to go completely. Even if it took a year to get your ultimate appearance, the length of time it took is never noticeable. The most important thing is to get the best results.

Schedule Your Consultation

Call us today at our practice for your hair transplant procedure in Chicago. Dr. Vinay, our hair restoration specialist from Northwestern Hair, will be happy to meet with you and discuss the various hair transplant solutions that are available to you. We guarantee quality and excellent hair transplant services.