Hair Transplant Timeline: Growth, Recovery & What to Expect

When performed by highly trained physician, a hair transplant is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that yields permanent, natural-looking results. But when exactly will you see those hair transplant results?

Hair transplant recovery typically takes a matter of days. You’ll likely start to notice hair regrowth around 4-6 months after your procedure, with full results after around 9-12 months.

If you’re considering hair transplant surgery, it’s important to be familiar with the procedure itself, what hair transplant recovery entails, and post-surgery protocols. Here, we’ll go over the entire hair transplant timeline so you know exactly what to expect before your hair transplant, during your hair transplant, and after your hair transplant. 

Before Your Hair Transplant: Consultation, Prep, and Cost

Free Hair Transplant Consultation

During your free consultation, a Bosley hair restoration expert will perform a free scalp and hair analysis, assess your hair loss, and answer any questions you may have. You’ll also see if you qualify for a Bosley hair transplant, the permanent solution to hair loss.

If a hair transplant seems like the ideal solution for you, they’ll determine the number of grafts you’ll need to achieve your desired result, along with a custom price estimate and financing options.

No pressure, no commitment – just a great opportunity to figure out what stage your hair loss is at and what solution makes the most sense for you. 

Schedule Your Free Consultation

How to Prepare for a Hair Transplant

• What to Eat: Before the procedure, incorporate 15 to 20-minute head massages. Try to do them every day, as this practice helps enhance scalp elasticity and stimulate hair follicles. 
• Medications: With the approval of your primary care physician, avoid prescription medications like blood thinners. This may also include over-the-counter supplements that thin the blood, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
  Plan on bringing a list of all of your current medications (both prescription and OTC) to the procedure with you, as well as the date and time of your last dose.
• Sun Protection: Limit excessive sun exposure in the days leading up to the transplant. If you must spend time outside, wearing a full-coverage hat is the best way to avoid irritation and ensure optimal conditions for the procedure.
• Hairstyling:  Shampoo your hair the night before or the morning of your procedure, but avoid using any hairspray, gels, or sticky hair products.
• If you’re getting an FUT procedure, your hair should be ½ inch in length or longer.
• If you’re getting an FUE procedure, your hair should be cut in a “fade” style to aid in the preparation of the FUE donor area. If you already have a fade hairstyle, great – if you don’t, we’ll cut your hair for you before your procedure.

At Bosley, we know that everyone’s hair restoration journey is different, and that proper preparation will vary from person to person. You’ll receive a personalized plan during your consultation with a Bosley hair restoration expert. 

How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost?

The cost of a hair transplant varies based on the number of grafts required. Factors like your hair loss pattern, hair density, and personal restoration goals will play a significant role in determining the number of grafts needed and overall cost.

At Bosley, you can get your hair back for as low as $134 a month. A Bosley hair transplant typically costs between $4,400 and $12,000, but this can vary based on individual needs and the specific procedure.

Bosley offers industry-leading financing options and low monthly payments to help make your procedure affordable on practically any budget. Monthly terms are available for 24, 36, 48, 60, and 84 months. A Bosley hair restoration expert can provide you with a more accurate hair transplant cost estimate during your free consultation.

During Your Hair Transplant: What to Expect on Procedure Day

How Do Hair Transplants Work?

A hair transplant takes place in a medical facility or surgical center. It’s a one-day outpatient procedure, and patients typically undergo the surgery with local anesthesia. Most patients are able to drive themselves home after the procedure.

During the procedure, healthy growing hair follicles from a donor site are transplanted to areas of the patient’s scalp that have experienced hair loss. These follicles are usually harvested from the back or sides of the patient’s head. Over time, these implanted follicular grafts grow natural hair.

There are two primary techniques used to collect follicles during the procedure: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE).

With the FUT technique, the physician removes a single, thin strip of skin from the back of the patient’s head. Then, the individual follicular grafts are isolated from the strip and implanted into the desired locations on the scalp.

During an FUE procedure, grafts are individually removed from the back of the patient’s head. These small incisions heal within 1-2 days and leave no linear scars, making this a minimally invasive technique that allows for quick healing time.

Your physician will help you determine which technique is appropriate for you.

What to Expect on the Day of Your Hair Transplant

It only takes one day to change your life! A hair transplant is a simple, one-day outpatient procedure. Expect your procedure to take multiple hours. (The exact length will vary depending on the number of grafts involved.) 

You’ll be able to watch a movie or TV during the procedure. You can also bring a book or a listening device to keep yourself occupied during downtime. 

By the way, no need to pack yourself a meal – lunch and snacks are on us!

After Your Hair Transplant: Growth & Recovery

Hair Transplant Timeline: Month-by-Month

One day after surgery

• You should know: Bosley offers free post-op aftercare for life, so you’re in good hands after your procedure!
• It is recommended to come back to the Bosley office for a check-up and hair wash. Many patients are able to return to work as well, as long as their occupation does not require physical activity. The donor and recipient areas are just beginning to heal and will require special ointment to be applied (found in Bosley’s post-operative healing kit) to aid in the healing process. For the next few weeks, please refrain from heavy sun exposure and use your own hair care products without consulting your Bosley physician.

Two days after surgery

• Some patients will develop minor swelling in the forehead area that can last a few days. Your physician will give you medication and discuss ways to address any swelling you may experience.

Two weeks after surgery

• You may notice that the short hair shafts that were transplanted are shedding. This is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. The follicle grafts are still healthy. After a dormancy period, the hairs will begin to regrow from the transplanted follicles in 4 to 5 months.

One month after surgery

• By this point, the distinction between the transplanted and native hair areas on your scalp will have largely disappeared. As more time passes, you probably won’t be able to tell where your native hair ends and the transplanted hair begins.
• You can resume your pre-surgery exercise routine—you can even get back to swimming laps at the pool.
• Transplanted hair may continue to shed up to a month post-surgery, and you likely won’t see new hair growth right away. Stay positive. New growth is only a few months away.
• Ask your Bosley physician about reintroducing your own hair care products.

Three months after surgery

• Some small pimples may form where your physician inserted the transplanted follicles. These pimples indicate that new hair shafts are working their way to the surface. A warm compress may help to alleviate the pimples. While common, not all hair transplant patients will notice these pimples—an absence does not mean the hair isn’t growing. You are always welcome to check in with your doctor with any questions you have in this, or any, area.

Four to nine months after surgery

• New hair growth typically begins during this period—with roughly 60% of new hair becoming visible.
• Your new hairs will initially have a baby-fine texture but will thicken over time.
• You may continue to see occasional pimples where hair follicles were inserted. They should diminish on their own. If either are uncomfortable, you can apply a warm compress to the area.

Hair transplant growth after 12 months

• After a hair transplant, 9–12 months is typically when you’ll start seeing fully-grown transplanted hair.
• This is a good time to schedule a follow-up appointment to be examined by your doctor and discuss any questions you may have. Like any medical procedure, it’s crucial to follow your doctor’s advice and speak with them regularly to ensure you 
• get the best results from your procedure.

Is Hair Transplant Recovery Painful?

You may experience tenderness, itchiness, redness, numbness, and minor pain in the weeks following a hair transplant, but the average patient reports only minor symptoms after one to two days.

Some patients use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen to address their mild symptoms.

Ultimately, the best way to minimize discomfort and promote healing is to follow your doctor’s post-op instructions. 

Patients typically recover quickly from this outpatient procedure and see the full results of their transplant within 12 months. Better still, those results can last a lifetime.

Start Your Hair Transplant Timeline Today

If you are trying to determine the best hair loss solution for you, Bosley, America’s #1 Hair Restoration Expert®, is here to help. Schedule a free consultation with one of our trained specialists to discuss solutions to help you meet your hair restoration goals. If you are interested in a hair transplant, our specialists can put you in touch with a Bosley physician who can answer your questions about hair restoration surgeries.