Hair Transplant: Facts and Myths
Medically reviewed by Dr Sreekar Harinatha, MCh (Plastic Surgery)
A hair transplant moves permanent hair from the back and sides of the scalp to balding areas, under local anaesthesia, as a day procedure. Transplanted hair sheds at about 3 weeks, regrows from about 3 months, and reaches its final result at 10–12 months. It then keeps growing for life. It is best done once hair loss has stabilised, often between 25 and 35. Main guide: FUE hair transplant.
Who is a hair transplant for?
Men with pattern baldness, graded on the 7-stage Hamilton–Norwood scale, and carefully selected women with pattern thinning, graded on the 3-stage Ludwig scale. It is ideally done once hair fall has stabilised, usually at 25–35. Women need a more detailed check of the cause first.
FUE or FUT?
FUT removes a strip and leaves a fine line scar at the back of the head. FUE takes grafts one by one and leaves tiny dot scars. The choice depends on your hair density, how you scar and how much baldness there is. See FUT and FUE.
Growth timeline
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| First days | About 10% of people have mild swelling |
| Week 1 | Crusts fall off and redness fades. The scalp stays slightly pink for a few weeks |
| About 3 weeks | Transplanted hairs shed. This is normal |
| About 3 months | New hairs start to grow |
| 6 months | About half the new hair is visible |
| 9 months | About 75% is visible |
| 10–12 months | Final result |
How dense will it look?
Natural scalp density is 70–120 follicular units per cm². Reaching about half of your original density usually looks full. Some people look natural at about 30 units per cm², and others need up to 50.
6 hair transplant myths
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| "You'll get a full head of hair like at 18" | The goal is a younger look with less visible baldness |
| "It's completely scarless" | Every method leaves some scarring. FUE keeps it minimal |
| "Laser hair transplants work better" | There is no proven advantage. Lasers play only a small role |
| "Hair grows straight away" | New hair grows from about 3 months |
| "Transplanted hair needs lifelong special care" | No special care is needed. Cut, colour and style it normally |
| "It's very painful" | It is done under local anaesthesia and is not usually very painful |
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash my hair after a transplant?
Yes, gently, 1–2 days after surgery.
Related pages: FUE hair transplant · FUT hair transplant · PRP and GFC · Before and after photos
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Results vary from person to person. Every procedure carries risks, which your surgeon will explain at your consultation.