Hair Transplant After Care and Recovery Guide

It takes approximately 10-14 days to recover from a hair transplant. During the recovery, a patient can expect their transplanted scalp to be red, scabby and swollen. It takes between 10-14 days for these signs to resolve.

According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, hair transplant procedures have risen by a staggering 157% worldwide between 2008 to 2019. In the UK alone, data shows a 35% growth in hair transplants since 2016. But why?

Within the past decade, hair transplants have soared due to a leading line of celebrities branding the treatment as socially acceptable in their publicly openly conversations about past procedures. Which now makes hair transplants a sought after treatment, eagerly anticipated by many.

After suffering from years of hair loss, you’ve taken a big leap to getting your hair and confidence back. You’ve taken all the necessary steps needed to get an FUE hair transplant, from copious amounts of research to deciding how many hair grafts you will need.

You may have tried a range of non-surgical hair loss treatments but now the final choice has been made and you’re well on your way to an FUE hair transplant procedure. Now is the time to start thinking about your hair transplant aftercare and recovery process.

FUE hair transplant aftercare

Whilst a hair transplant is relatively straightforward and generally takes place over the course of a day the hair transplant aftercare and recovery process is a crucial part of the procedure and therefore must be treated as such.

There are many factors that need to be considered, from the possible side effects to the do’s and don’ts during the recovery period. In this guide we will run through the aftercare and recovery process from start to finish, highlighting any of the side effects that can occur and tackle any considerations you may have like returning to work or washing your newly transplanted hair.

As with all treatments provided by The Treatment Rooms London, aftercare for a hair transplant is always tailored to the patient. We hope to cover every question or query you may have before the procedure, but if you require further information or advice, please feel free to ask your questions during the initial consultation.

The consultation

The aftercare process starts before the surgery has even begun. Once a point of contact has been made, we will invite you in for an initial consultation. During the consultation, one of our experienced surgeons will take you through the procedure and perform an assessment of your hair to construct an entirely bespoke hair transplant plan.

During our hair transplant consultation service, we aim to give you a better understanding of what an FUE hair transplant entails as well as the aftercare and recovery guidance needed for a successful patient journey.

Once the consultation has been completed and a plan has been agreed, a day and time will be arranged for your FUE hair transplant surgery. A patient will need to consider the recovery time and ensure the operation and aftercare will not clash with their work schedule.

The day of the FUE hair transplant procedure

At The Treatment Rooms London we take pride in our unparalleled patient journey. See below regarding what you can expect the day of your operation:

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our friendly team and have you choice of tea
In the morning, you and your Surgeon will walk through procedure again
We provide you with your choice of music, TV entertainment and aromatherapy to relax you
You will be administered tablets for comfort as well as numbing injections applied to the back of the head and the area that will receive new hair to anaesthetise these areas
We begin to carefully extract the follicles located on the donor area of your head
The hair follicles are cooled in petri dishes to preserve them. We separate them into bundles to generate the density and hair style a patient desires
Lunch time. We cater to all dietary requirements which we’ll find out from you prior to the day of surgery
To begin the hair transplant, we mark out the desired hairline or area that needs to be populated, ensuring you are 100% satisfied
The targeted area of the scalp is numbed again and the implantation of hair follicles begin
They are carefully placed to match the natural hair direction and density, which will eventually flourish into your desired hairstyle

What happens after FUE hair transplant surgery?

Immediately after the surgery a patient will be able to see the shape of their new hairline as the follicles will be visible. Once the surgery has finished and the patient is happy, we will prepare them for their hair transplant aftercare and recovery journey.

We offer an unrivalled service that ensures the patient receives the best possible care, guidance and protection. This involves:

Bandaging the extraction zone to keep the small incisions clean from any harmful bacteria and dirt. We also recommend keeping the bandage on until at least the next morning
Providing a protective cap that shields your hairs from the elements for the next few days. The surgeon will discuss the duration of time a patient needs to wear this cap for
An aftercare package containing all the necessary medications and materials needed to keep your hair and scalp in the best possible condition
Detailed instructions on how to look after your new hair
Follow up consultations if required
Access to our surgeons throughout your recovery with any questions
1 year review and follow up

After we have provided you with all the necessary aftercare information, a patient is allowed to go home and start the healing process.

We aim to follow up on all of our patients regularly to see how their hair growth journey is coming along and actively encourage them to send us before and after pictures of their recovery for evaluation. This gives patients a chance to ask more questions they might have.

FUE hair transplant aftercare package

The Treatment Rooms London personalised aftercare package is a pivotal part of the process as it gives patients the tools and information needed to recover from the procedure swiftly and effectively.

The goody bag contains a bundle of important medications and minerals required to take care of your precious, newly implanted hairs. This bespoke aftercare package service is included in the hair transplant procedure costs. It is personalised for every individual as it takes into account their requirements for home aftercare, including detailed instructions that outlines all the information needed.

Stress is a contributing factor to the damage of hair follicles, so it’s important to reduce stress wherever possible to safeguard your hair. We try to ensure your recovery is stress- free by leaving no stone unturned.

The patient-tailored aftercare process at The Treatment Rooms London also means that we’re here for you every step of the way, even after the procedure. Our team of trained specialists and Surgeons are on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have and alleviate any concerns. They can advise you on how to proceed and can even schedule a check up appointment if needed.

FUE hair transplant recovery

The recovery process completely depends on the chosen method of surgery. Unlike other hair transplant operations, the FUE hair transplant initial recovery process is quick and relatively painless (10-14 days).

This is because the operation itself is less invasive compared to that of an FUT surgery in which surgeons will extract a strip of skin from the donor area, rather than removing hair follicles individually.

At The Treatment Rooms London, we only provide FUE hair transplants and effective non-surgical treatments. To find out more about our range of practical hair loss treatments, book an initial consultation today.

How long does it take to recover from FUE hair transplant surgery?

Straight after the operation a patient will start to see the results. However, because the donor area will still be raw and scabbing, it might not be as visually pleasing as one hopes. However, this will of course change throughout the recovery process. Swelling may also be present but this will diminish 5- 7 days.

One of the main concerns with FUE hair transplants is the amount of time it takes to heal. We advise patients to get at least 4-5 days rest before resuming normal life. Although convalescence is expected to take around 2 weeks, most patients will recover in just 7 days. Whilst you can return to work straight after the procedure, we recommend taking 4-5 days off to recover effectively and reduce the impact the elements can have on your hair.

Hair transplant recovery timeline

During your first two weeks after your operation, the hair grafts will not be completely secure so be careful. Any impacts to your head during this period can have a detrimental effect on the overall outcome.

To be safe, we recommend cutting down on exercise during the first 2 weeks of recovery. This also helps reduce the build up of sweat and dirt within the exposed areas. Patients must use the provided medication as required to help with the healing process. As you move throughout the healing journey, ensure you follow our surgeon’s post-operative instructions precisely.

After 1 to 5 days of surgery, any bandages can be removed but the recipient area and grafts should not be touched. During this time your scalp will be at its most susceptible damage, so ensure you keep it protected by wearing a cap. During this time swelling around the eyes or on the forehead may be noticeable so it’s important to try and reduce this where possible with our instructions on sleep and medication. Choosing to undergo an FUE hair transplant does mean the tiny incisions to the donor area will heal quickly compared to other hair loss surgeries. Most patients will have a healed donor area within 5-7 days.

On day 5, patients will be able to wash their hair very gently. A detailed set of instructions will be included in the aftercare package. By this time the grafts would have adapted to the transplanted area which means they are less likely to be dislodged. However, you must still be careful as scabs may be present so refrain from itching or scratching your scalp.

After two weeks, the transplanted hair is expected to fall out. But not to worry, this is normal and it will start to grow back.

After 3-4 months, new hair will start to appear, giving the patient a more voluminous look.

Finally, after 12 to 18 months the final results should be clearly visible. The long anticipated, exciting end results will be on display which means you are able to show off your new hair with confidence and enjoy the many benefits of having a full head of hair, but ensure you follow the necessary guidelines put in place by our experienced surgeons. If you have any questions or queries about the recovery process please feel free to contact us.

How long do FUE hair transplant results last?

The results of FUE hair transplant surgery can be permanent, but this depends on the quality of the procedure. The initial transplanted hair will shed around 2-3 weeks after the FUE surgery and then the hair will grow back stronger and healthier in the treated areas over a period of 3-15 months.

The extraction site located on the back of the head is often referred to as the ‘permanent zone’ because the hairs within this region are naturally resistant to the hair loss process, which is why they make a preferred donor area to extract from.

If an FUE hair transplant is carried out by a qualified and experienced surgeon, the results can last a life-time. However, even though the newly transplanted hairs may last forever, the hair surrounding the transplant could continue to fall out.

At Treatment Rooms London we also advise some patients on a range of alternative non-surgical hair loss treatments that can help prevent the recession of hair. Sometimes, we recommend continuing to use these treatments after the hair transplant to slow down the hair loss process.

Moreover, some patients may decide to get a second hair transplant. We’ve seen a growing number of patients opt for another transplant, usually within 10 years of their previous procedure. This is due to a number of factors, such as:

Reduction in their hair shafts diameter
Continued hair loss outside of the original hair transplant site location
Other genetic or environmental factors

If you are in need of a second hair transplant or want to find out more information, please book a consultation through our website. Our expert surgeons will be happy to review the current state of your hair and walk you through the process.

To answer any questions around the aftercare involved post transplantation, here are a series of short blogs by a recent patient who underwent an FUE Transplant.

Hair transplant side effects

FUE hair transplants are an effective long-term solution to hair loss. Over the years, hair transplants have become a safer and less invasive option for the general public due to research and developments in the technique.

Nevertheless, it is still a medical procedure that utilises anaesthesia and involves surgical incisions to the scalp. Although a hair transplant is considered as a minimally invasive procedure, there are still some risks and side effects a patient must take into account.

Short term side effects may include:

Swelling
Bleeding
Scabbing
Itching
Infections
Short term hair loss in areas that have been operated

For more information about the possible side effects of an FUE hair transplant, please visit our side effects page. Alternatively, you can contact our expert surgeons by booking a consultation.

Considerations

Hair transplants are generally a safe process with a very high satisfactory rate. But, like all medical procedures, there is always a list of do’s and don'ts you should adhere to during the aftercare and recovery process for your health and safety.

Certain habits should be avoided and normal routines put on hold in accordance with the aftercare and recovery instructions.

A few considerations are listed below:

Sleep in an elevated position using a soft pillow for 7-10 days after surgery and avoid sleeping on your stomach
Do not participate in any strenuous activities, including going to the gym, for at least two weeks
Do not expose yourself to direct sunlight after surgery for at least two weeks
Wait at least 5 days until you wash your hair
Avoid harsh shampoos
Do not consume alcohol for 7 days prior to the surgery

Like with any surgery, there are many things to consider during the aftercare and recovery process. However, one of the main benefits of a hair transplant is the recovery process is easy, relatively painless and the instructions are easy to follow.

All questions will be answered after the surgery and every patient will be provided with in-depth information on everything they need to know.

If you do have any questions or queries, or you are interested in booking a free consultation, please get in touch with The Treatment Rooms London for more information.

Authored by

Dr Roshan Vara

Hair Transplant Surgeon & Co-Founder

Full Medical Member of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) Associate Member of International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS)

GMC Registered - 7458409

Reviewed by

Dr Dilan Fernando

Hair Transplant Surgeon & Co-Founder

Royal College of Surgeons

Full Medical Member of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) Associate Member of International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS)

GMC Registered - 7458157

A Simple Process That Will Put Your Fears to Rest

We take every effort to ensure you to feel as comfortable as possible during the entire process. Our philosophy is to give each patient a personalised care experience.

1. A Consultation with our Surgeons

We'll explain the full process and perform a digital microscope assessment of your hair. No hard sells whatsoever.

2. One Day
Procedure

Surgery is often performed in 1 day and you are able to go home after the procedure.

3. Regular
Follow Up

We're always available even after the consultation and operation for any further questions you may have as your new hair grows.

FUE hair transplant surgery at The Treatment Rooms London

The Treatment Rooms London is a CQC registered clinic based on the prestigious Harley Street as well as Putney. Our surgeons provide very effective hair transplants and non-surgical treatments that are tailored entirely around the patient’s needs, making sure your transplanted hair is given the greatest opportunity to grow. This professional service is why patients across the world have trusted us with the long-term care of their hair.

At The Treatment Rooms London, we understand that this procedure can be a bit worrisome, but rest assured our fully-qualified surgeons will be with you every step of the way, ensuring that you receive the best possible care before, during and after the surgery. We provide every patient with a meticulous aftercare and recovery plan that guarantees they will receive the best possible results, as long as they follow the instructions.

If you are interested in getting an FUE hair transplant and would like to know more, please feel free to book an appointment through our website. Our surgeons will be delighted to walk you through the procedure from start to finish, including the aftercare and recovery process. They will answer any questions that you may have and also evaluate the current state of your hair. To find out more or to book a consultation, please visit our contact page.