Your hair is a big part of your identity, and it’s what makes you unique. Once full re-growth has occurred, your thicker and youthful hairline will enhance your appearance and bring newfound confidence. However, just how long will you wait until your hair transplant before and after is fully apparent? Here’s a timeline of each stage of growth that you’ll experience post-op:
Step 1: Resting phase
In the first four months, you may feel a bit disheartened if you aren’t prepared. After about 2 weeks, the newly implanted hairs will shed. Don’t worry; this is only temporary. Once the hair has fallen out, the follicles will begin a stage called telogen, which is a resting stage. It’s a regular part of your hair’s growth cycle that may continue for a few weeks to a few months before new hairs start to emerge.
Step 2: Active growth
When you start to see new growth, that means that your follicles have moved into a phase called anagen – also known as the active growth stage. Your new hairs might look thin, but don’t be alarmed. They will thicken as time goes on. As scars fade and growth fills in at the donor site, any evidence of surgery should be hidden.
Step 3: The maturation period
At about 8 months to 1 year post-surgery, the strands of hair will become thicker and lengthen significantly. At this point, you should see 75% to 80% of your full hair transplant before and after results. The added density means that you can now explore some of the style ideas you’ve been thinking about.
Step 4: The final reveal
Everyone is different, but generally it will take up to 2 years before your full outcome is realized. At that time, your follicles should be entirely in sync with the natural growth cycle, which lasts for about 3 years overall. If you desire more redistribution or fill at that time, you can explore having additional transplant procedures. One of the benefits of FUE is that it can be repeated if needed.