Thick & Healthy Hair
Hair Restoration is no longer just for the A-list
, find out about Boca Raton Hair Transplant.
How Long Until I Appear “Normal” Again?
What constitutes “normal” varies from patient to patient, and what constitutes “noticeable” varies according to the patient and the procedure performed. Most patients remark that after the crusting is gone, the top of their head – or the recipient zone – looks “natural” enough that they feel good going out in public.
The donor region, which is usually the back of the head, is visible in several ways depending on the surgery:
- At roughly a week after a linear FUT procedure, most patients feel that they appear “normal.”
- It takes a little longer to grow the hair back out and cover the region in FUE treatments where the back and sides of the head are shaved, but patients notice that 10 days is all they need to feel “normal.” Long hair FUE operations are less invasive and do not need shaving.
- It takes a little over a month for patients to re-grow a desired quantity of hair after a “hybrid” procedure that includes both linear and FUE procedures.
Is It Okay If I Wear A Hat?
Yes. For the first three days, avoid wearing headgear that contacts the grafted regions. After surgery, any headgear that reaches the forehead and/or the back of the head around the donor region is allowed. As a result, bandanas, fedoras, cowboy hats, berets, and newsboy caps, among other things, are all good to wear.
However, the hat that everyone tries to wear – a baseball cap – should be saved until day 4 or later.
When Can I Expect To See Any Progress? After A Hair Transplant, What Are The Phases Of Hair Growth?
Within hours after being put in their new location, grafts begin to re-establish their blood supply. This process, known as neovascularization, takes around 72 hours, which is why the first three days are so important for a hair graft’s survival and regrowth.
Crusting normally disappears a week or two after a hair transplant, leaving just small short hairs behind. These hair shafts may seem to be the aim of the hair transplant, but what we’re targeting are the follicle and stem cells linked to the hair. Many patients believe they are losing the grafts they fought so hard for when these visible hair shafts shed, while in reality the follicle is entering the shedding phase known as Catagen in order to generate new hair. This transient and reversible process is known as “shock loss.” Native hair may also shed at this stage.
That being said, 3-4 months following surgery, growth begins slowly. New visible growth takes longer since the hairs need to grow in length before they can be seen, so expect to wait 6 months. It takes a year to reach full size, and in extreme circumstances it might take up to 18 months depending on the growth of your natural hair.
When Is The Swelling Going To Go Away? How Long Will The Swelling And Bruises Last?
Swelling usually peaks 2-3 days after surgery and subsides 2-3 days later, so the whole procedure takes around a week. Outside of brow restoration surgery, bruising is uncommon. If this happens, the recovery time might be anything from one to three weeks and again, depending on the individual.
Can You Go Swimming After A Hair Transplant?
Swimming isn’t entirely forbidden. In FUE situations, we suggest avoiding swimming for 10 days or until any sutures are removed, due to the great diversity of places to swim and the relative cleanliness of those areas.
When Will I Be Able To Wash My Hair? Is It Necessary To Massage The Recipient Region During The Washing Process?
Taking care of your new hair is extremely important after your hair transplant. Because wet wounds heal faster, it’s critical to keep the surgical regions clean and moist. There are various options for doing this:
- Washed often. 2-3 times per day the first three post-operative days
- Spritzing hair with saline or water or special medicated solutions.
- Soaks that are medicinal. Solution-soaked gauzes and wraps over the donor and recipient areas.
Only pat the recipient area with lather in an up and down motion for the first few days. Rinse using a cup filled with warm water to avoid “shear forces” movements. Gently pat dry.
Any crusting that has developed should be carefully wiped off in tiny circles the fourth day following surgery. This is best done in the shower after soaking for at least 5 minutes. It’s a good idea to get rid of the crusts since they may yank out a hair if left in. This all being said, you should ask your surgeon what they consider for your case. They may suggest a different care plan for you following your hair transplant procedure.
Make An Appointment For A Hair Loss Assessment At Our Miami Clinic
We hope that this blog provided you with the answers to your questions about hair transplants. Make an appointment with the Nova Medical Hair Transplant clinic in Miami if you have any additional inquiries regarding hair transplant surgery or hair restoration solutions. Our hair loss specialists would be happy to answer any questions you may have!
State-of-the-art FUE
Scar-less Hair Restoration with results in less than 120days