Hair growth after hair transplant – How long does it take to grow hair after hair transplant

What is Hair Transplant

Hair transplant is a procedure where the hair follicles are extracted from the permanent zone of your scalp or beard, and transplanted into the bald area. You either undertake FUE or FUT procedure for this. FUE method is the most recent and advanced method, where individual follicles are harvested instead of the strip after the hair transplant. The surviving grafts continue to grow in the first two to three weeks but after that, some hair fall starts. It is called shock loss; this occurs due to the stress or shock the hair follicles receive due to a hair transplant procedure.

Hair Transplant surgery is both a procedure and process. While the hair is transplanted from the donor area into the recipient or balding area, it takes up to a year or 18 months for the hair to grow, thicken, and fully mature. Once the transplanted hair is implanted, it will fall out between 4 to 6 weeks after a hair transplant. In 3 to 5 months after hair restoration, the follicles will begin sprouting new hair. At first, however, these new strands will appear fine and colorless; they will thicken, darken and mature.

Stages of hair growth after hair transplant

So, let’s check how much percent Hair grows after hair transplant:

• About 10 to 20% of hair growth will occur within 3 to 4 months after the hair transplant.
• You can see around 50% of hair growth after hair transplant within the next 6 months.
• 80% results will be seen in 8 to 9 months.
• 100% hair transplant results you can examine by 9 to 12 months after the FUE hair transplant.

Important facts to remember on how to speed up your hair growth:

• You should consume a balanced diet to get proper nutrition and improve your hair quality
• Use medications prescribed by your doctor like minoxidil, finasteride, multivitamins, etc.
• You can even apply oil on your scalp, massage it on your scalp for better results
• You need to avoid any strenuous activities after your hair transplant, for at least for ten days.  This will help the hair follicles completely settle on your scalp.
• Avoid itching your scalp because it will damage the hair follicles

Treatment and Medication after Hair Transplant :

For best results, Dermatologists prescribe US FDA approved medications such as minoxidil and finasteride.  Along with these medications, you should start taking other procedures after a Hair Transplant under your Dermatologists guidance. Such as PRP, Mesotherapy, Multivitamin Tablets, Dermaroller, Low-Level Laser Light Therapy, etc. These treatments can even help you strengthen the growth of your transplanted hair.

I would always suggest that you should consult a Dermatologist and your Hair Transplant Surgeon before taking any oral medications or topical applications.

How much time does it take to grow hair after hair transplant?

Once the hair transplant is done and you’re in the recovery stage, it will take transplanted hair upto six to nine months to grow out. Usually, after two or three weeks of surgery, the transplanted hair will start falling out, you must not panic in this stage because the new hair will start growing in the following months. As mentioned before, surgeons will prescribe hair growth medicine like minoxidil, to trigger hair growth during the recovery period.

After hair transplant does hair grow back?

Yes, your hair will grow back. You can always look up stages of hair transplant growth pictures to understand the recovery process, and to know what to expect as well. Once your surgery is done, your scalp will feel tender and you will be prescribed pain medications for a few weeks.

People start noticing new hair growth within months into the recovery stage. Hair rarely starts growing quickly after the transplant procedure, your hair will grow gradually into its natural texture in the first three months of the recovery period. Do not take any medicine to speed up the hair growth process, always consult with your doctor if you find that the growth is slow. They will prescribe medicines that will trigger the hair transplant growth cycle.

Does transplanted hair get thick over time?

There is no standard growth rate that affects all patients, some may experience growth in the earlier stages, while others may witness it later on. Your hair texture will start showing within six months, which means it will start thickening up as well. Once you notice the texture, you will have to do a follow-up checkup with your doctor.

To learn more about hair transplant and the results you can expect, book a consultation with a HairMD expert.

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