Hair Transplant Surgery: What To Expect?

What Is a Hair Transplant Surgery?

A hair transplant surgery is a cosmetic surgical procedure that helps restore hair to areas suffering from hair loss. Hair follicles are harvested from the safe donor area (the back of the scalp) and implanted in the recipient areas (bald or thinning areas). 

Types of Hair Transplant Surgeries

There are two main hair transplant surgery techniques: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). 

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

FUT or strip surgery is performed by excising a strip of skin-bearing hair from the back of the head, which is then divided into individual grafts for implantation. 

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

In FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction, hair follicles are extracted individually from the donor area using a punch device and are then implanted one by one in the recipient area.

How Does a Hair Transplant Work?

A hair transplant surgery consists of several steps: 

1. Consultation

The first step of a hair restoration procedure is to consult a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss treatments to find out if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. 

The surgeon will then develop a personalized treatment plan based on your hair loss pattern, donor capacity, and number of grafts needed.

2. Hairline Design and Operation Planning

The most crucial parts of the surgery are the hairline design and operation planning. This will determine how you will look for the rest of your life and should be performed by a doctor with an eye for aesthetics. 

Please keep in mind that the donor area is also a limited resource. Our doctors will make an operation plan that will use this limited resource most efficiently to ensure maximum density and coverage for your thinning hair. 

3. Anesthesia Administration

The next step of the hair transplantation process is the administration of anesthesia. Both nerve block and infiltration anesthesia are used to numb the scalp in the best hair restoration clinics,  

Hair transplant surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. It does not require general anesthesia as it carries various risks. 

4. Incisions (Channel Opening)

Tiny slits are made in the recipient areas of the scalp using scalpels (Custom Special Steel Blade, Sapphire, Needles). 

In the DHI hair transplant method, no incisions are made as the grafts are implanted directly into the recipient area.

5. Extractions (Excisions)

During extraction, healthy hairs are usually collected from the safe donor site located at the back of the head. A device called an extraction punch is used to score the tissue around the hair follicle. The individual hair grafts are then collected using forceps. 

The grafts are then counted, sorted into groups of 1FUs, 2FUs, 3FUs, and 4FUs, and preserved at low temperatures in a special organ solution. 

6. Implantation

The last stage of the procedure is the implantation phase. The harvested grafts are inserted one by one into the channels previously opened by the hair transplant surgeon in the thinning areas. 

Who Can Get Hair Transplantation Surgery?

It is suitable for patients who meet the following criteria: 

• Men with Male Pattern Baldness(also known as AGA)
• Women with Female Pattern Hair Loss
• Patients with stable hair loss
• Patients who have adequate donor area
• Patients with hair loss due to trauma, surgery, or burns
• Patients with no underlying active dermatological conditions such as infection, cicatricial alopecia, active alopecia areata, etc., until these conditions are treated and stabilized. 

Expectations and Hair Transplantation Recovery

Expectations 

1. First Week Post-Surgery:

After the procedure, your scalp might be sensitive. You might experience some redness, swelling, and scabbing in the donor and recipient areas. 

Mild discomfort and tightness are normal at this stage of the procedure.  Scabs or crusts will form in the recipient area and will fall off in about 7-10 days. 

In general, most patients can go back to their normal routine within a few days. 

2. Shedding Phase (Shock Loss): 

A month after the surgery, your transplanted hair will fall out. Not to worry, this is a natural temporary process called “shock loss.” 

3. Hair Growth Phase:

Your new hair will start growing around the 3–4-month mark. 

In the beginning, your hair may appear to be thin and sparse, but it will gradually thicken over time, offering more coverage. 

Around the 6–9-month mark, you can expect about 60-70% of the final hair growth. Full hair transplant results become apparent 12-18 months after the surgery. 

Post-Surgery Recovery Tips

Please follow the following post-op care for optimal results after your hair transplant surgery: 

• Avoid touching, rubbing, or hitting your head to prevent damage to the grafts.   
• Use medications prescribed by your hair transplant surgeon to reduce swelling and prevent infection.   
• Follow the hair wash instructions provided by the hair transplant clinic.  
• Avoid intense physical activity, such as weightlifting or strenuous exercise, to prevent excessive sweating and bleeding.  
• Protect your scalp and newly transplanted hair from direct sunlight for at least 3 months post-surgery by wearing a hat. 
• Sleep with your head elevated for the first 5 nights after the surgery to help reduce swelling.  
• Keep in touch with your patient coordinator to make sure everything is going smoothly with your recovery. 

For more post-hair transplant recovery tips, check out our After Hair Transplant page by following the link below: 

After Hair Transplant

Cost of Hair Transplant Surgery 

Hair transplant costs can vary depending on several factors, such as the reputation of the clinic, the qualifications of the hair transplant surgeon, the technique to be used, the number of grafts to be transplanted, etc. 

For more information on the cost of the procedures offered at Civas&Akpınar Hair Transplant Turkey, follow the link below: 

Price of hair transplant surgery

What are the Side Effects?

Common side effects of hair transplant surgery include minor swelling, redness, numbness, slight discomfort, and sometimes bruising. 

In case of slight pain, over-the-counter painkillers can be used to reduce the pain. Antihistamine tablets can also be used if there is any itchiness. 

These side effects are temporary and will resolve over time.

What Are the Signs of Hair Transplant Surgery Gone Wrong?

Signs of a hair transplant surgery gone wrong would immediately be obvious. 

Here are some key signs to look for to identify issues: 

• A poorly designed hairline that sits too low on the forehead may look unnatural.
• An uneven hairline or an unnaturally symmetrical hairline can appear artificial.
• Poor density in the frontal area could lead to sparse hair and an unnatural appearance. 
• Pus discharge or a foul odor from the scalp could indicate an infection and require immediate attention. 
• Prolonged numbness or pain in the donor area could indicate nerve damage. 
• Excessive bleeding or bruising could indicate improper care during the surgery.
• Lack of growth could indicate improper handling of the grafts or high trans-section rates. 

It is important to consult an experienced hair transplant surgeon to avoid having these issues. Many of these signs can be corrected by revision surgery in a subsequent hair transplant procedure. 

When to Call a Doctor

After a hair transplant surgery, it is important to keep in touch with your doctor to monitor your recovery and progress. 

Please call your hair transplant surgeon if you notice any signs of infections, excessive bleeding, foul odor, fever, prolonged swelling, persistent numbness, allergic reactions, or any painful lumps. 

Hair Transplant Surgery FAQs

What factors are considered before hair transplant surgery? 

Factors such as age, overall health, donor hair availability, size of bald areas, and patient expectations are taken into consideration before a hair transplant surgery. It is important to have realistic expectations and discuss your options with a qualified hair transplant surgeon. 

How long does hair transplant surgery take? 

The surgery takes 7-8 hours on average, depending on the skills of your hair transplant surgeon, the technique used, and the number of grafts transplanted. 

When can you see the results of hair transplant? 

Final results become apparent after 12-18 months, with initial growth starting at 3-4 months. 

Are there any complications from hair transplant? 

Hair transplant surgery is a minimally invasive procedure with minimal risks or complications. However, it is still a surgical procedure and should be performed by a qualified doctor to minimize the risks of complications. 

Is hair transplant surgery painful?

No, surgery is a minimally invasive, painless procedure performed under local anesthesia. 

While the first couple of injections can cause some discomfort, once the scalp is numb, most patients do not feel any pain throughout the rest of the hair transplant procedure.

How to wash hair after hair transplant surgery?

We recommend using a mild shampoo and being very gentle while you are washing for the first 10 days post-surgery to avoid dislodging the newly transplanted grafts. 

When should I travel after hair transplant surgery?

Typically, patients have a follow-up consultation with the hair transplant surgeon on the day of the bandage removal and first hair wash. Once the doctor has examined your scalp and ensures everything is healing as expected, you are cleared to travel back home. 

Can I wear a hat after hair transplant?

Wearing a hat immediately after a hair transplant surgery is not recommended. We generally advise patients to wait until the grafts are fully implanted before considering wearing a hat. 

However, if wearing a hat is absolutely necessary, we recommend being very careful while putting on or taking off the hat. Choose a hat made from a soft material that fits loosely around your head.