Tools
Hair transplant recovery, day 1 to month 18
Drag through the year to see what happens under your skin, how much of the result you would notice, and what you can do again.
after surgeryDay 1
Days 1–3
The grafts settle in
Each graft is anchoring in its channel and tiny crusts form around every one. Sleep with your head raised, and keep hands, hats and pillows off the grafts.
Your job: take only the medicines the clinic gives you, as written in your instructions.
Visible result
0%
Share of the final density you would notice in a mirror. Crowns run a few months behind.
Usually fine by now
- Walkingday 1
- Desk workdays 7 to 10
- A loose, clean capafter the scab wash, day 10 to 14
- A haircut with scissorsweeks 3 to 4
- Gym, pool and saunamonth 1
- Hair dyeweek 6
Typical guidance. The written aftercare plan from your surgeon always comes first.
The year after surgery, stage by stage
Days 1–3
The grafts settle in
Each graft is anchoring in its channel and tiny crusts form around every one. Sleep with your head raised, and keep hands, hats and pillows off the grafts.
Your job: take only the medicines the clinic gives you, as written in your instructions.
Days 4–14
Crusts, then itching
From your first wash at the clinic, the day after surgery, you wash gently every day: water poured from a cup, no strong shower jet. The crusts come away with gentle washing, usually by day 10 to 14.
Your job: pat, never rub, never pick. Itching is normal; scratching is not.
Days 15–20
A clean scalp
The crusts are gone and the grafts are anchored for good. You see short stubble, and the redness fades over the next few weeks.
Your job: normal washing again. Keep direct sun off your scalp.
Weeks 2–8
Shedding
Most transplanted hairs fall out. This is expected: the shaft sheds, but the follicle stays under the skin and rests.
Your job: nothing. It looks like a setback and it is not one.
Months 2–4
The quiet months
Your scalp looks much as it did before surgery. Under the skin, each follicle is starting a new growth cycle.
Your job: send your month-3 photos, and be patient.
Months 4–6
First growth
Fine new hairs break through. They can look thin, wiry or curly at first, and a few may feel like small spots as they push through.
Your job: send your month-6 photos.
Months 6–9
Halfway there
Around half of the final result is visible. Hairs thicken and lengthen by about a centimetre a month.
Your job: book a proper haircut, if you like.
Months 9–12
Nearly there
Most of the density has arrived and the texture settles. This is when most people stop thinking about it.
Your job: send 12-month photos for a final review with your surgeon.
Months 12–18
The final result
The front is finished. The crown, and any area from a later session, keeps maturing until about month 18.
Your job: keep treating your native hair if your doctor advised it.
Questions
Questions about recovery
Is it normal for transplanted hair to fall out?
Yes. Most transplanted hairs shed between weeks 2 and 8. The follicle stays under the skin, rests, and starts growing new hair from around month 3 or 4.
When will I see the final result?
Most people see about half the result at 6 months and most of it at 12 months. The crown can take up to 18 months.
When should I contact the clinic?
Message your coordinator any time you are worried, and straight away if you have a fever, spreading redness, pus, severe pain or bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure.
Free tools
More ways to try your plan
Each one ends with the same next step: send the result to our lead surgeon for the real answer.
- Graft calculatorCount my graftsEvery graft planned on a 3D model, and whether you need one session or two.
- Hairline designerDesign my hairlineShapes, heights and temple corners on a 3D model, then send it on WhatsApp.
Planning your recovery? Start with four photos.
Send four photos. Our lead surgeon replies with your plan, graft estimate and full price, usually within 24 hours. Free, and you are not committing to anything.
Like any surgery, a hair transplant has risks. They include infection, scarring, shock loss and grafts that grow poorly. Read about the risks