Many people suffer from excessive hair loss and receding hairline due to various reasons. While some accept this new look and move on with their life, most people start looking for a way out when they see some concerning signs of hair loss. For some people having a hair transplant in Turkey is a solution, whereas some people rather not travel. Usually, people meticulously do their research on the hair transplant procedure itself but overlooks the recovery process post-surgery. However, it is important to know that a successful recovery period is a key to a successful hair transplant. This is a long journey that requires patience and careful aftercare. Each week you will be experiencing a different chapter until you reach the final look you desire.
Are you curious about what is expecting you after your hair transplant surgery? Keep on reading to find out about the most important details of the hair transplant recovery timeline.
The First 2 Weeks After Your Hair Transplant Operation
The first week of your recovery will be the most delicate stage. Your surgeon will place a light covering on the area right after your surgery. This covering is usually removed the next day and you will get your first hair wash at the clinic.
After your covering is removed, you might feel some itchiness and bleeding until your scalp starts to heal and scabs mostly fall out. This process can take approximately 10 days.
One of the most significant experiences you will encounter is shock loss. Shock loss is often observed after 7-10 days when hair grafts settle in and move into the resting period.
What is Shock Loss?
Shock loss is the fallout of transplanted hair after the transplant operation. This fallout, though might be worrisome, is completely natural and caused by the natural life-cycle of hair follicles. After the transplant process, hair follicles move to the resting period which is also known as the shedding period. Shock loss usually continues for a maximum of 2 months. Although, the length of the shock loss period can be different for each individual.
One-month After Your Hair Transplant Operation
After a month you will be experiencing intense shock loss. Usually, patients get frustrated at this point of the recovery journey because of the hair loss and increased redness around the hairline. However, remember that this is a natural and crucial process on the way to having a great head full of hair.
By the first month, you will have gone through your second clinic check-in. Your surgeon will give you tips on aftercare. Make sure to strictly follow them. Generally, you can gently wash your hair on a regular basis to get rid of any dead skin cells and scabs. You can start to do some light exercises and gradually amp up your pace. However, make sure to avoid excessive sweating since it might create a welcoming environment for infection.
What Happens During the First 6 Months?
By the time you are done with your second month, shock loss will have decreased significantly and you can expect to see some new hair growth. Redness and itching can continue due to rapid hair growth. You can also see some flaking during this period. Be prepared for an uneven hair look because of the hair that has not fallen out during the shock loss.
The hair growth will accelerate by the third month of your recovery journey. Remember that this rapid growth might cause some blisters and infections. You should be able to get rid of the blisters with some ointment that your surgeon recommends. However, the infection can be more serious and stubborn. If you see any sign of infection, consult with your surgeon and follow the aftercare instructions intently to ensure successful results. You can discuss your recovery progress at your third clinic check-in scheduled during the third month after your operation.
Up to the six months mark, you will experience some significant hair growth and nearly reach 100% coverage. You can start to gently comb your hair and trim the unruly hair strands with a shaver. Make sure to avoid extremely hot or cold environments such as saunas since your scalp is still at a delicate stage. You can expect to schedule your fourth clinic check-in after six months.
What to Expect After a Year?
After a year of your hair transplant operation, it is finally time to enjoy your new and strong hair. At this point, the recovery of both donor and transplanted areas is complete and you have 100% coverage. You will have strong and healthy hair provided that you have followed the aftercare instructions properly during the year after your surgery. From now on, feel free to style and treat your hair as you wish.
Your last clinic check-in will usually be scheduled after the first year to make sure that the desired look is achieved and the hair strands are as healthy as possible. You can consult with your surgeon for further tips to keep your hair in tip-top condition.
