FUE Hair Transplant

By Abdulaziz Ali - Medically reviewed by Dr. Mehmet Dogruer, on Apr 21, 2024

FUE Hair Restoration Recovery Timeline 

It takes approximately 10 days to 14 days to recover after the procedure. You should avoid strenuous activity for at least 4 weeks. You will start to notice new hair growth after 3 months. Expect to experience complete recovery 12 – 15 months after the FUE procedure. 

You can return to work 3 days after the procedure; you will notice the swelling reduces during these days. 

Avoid brushing your hair for at least 3 weeks, and don't wash your hair for the first three days. Follow your doctor's instructions to speed up your recovery. 

FUE Procedure Success Rate 

FUE hair transplant has a success rate of 90-95%.

FUE Hair Transplant Complications 

• Infections
• Pain and tenderness
• Bleeding
• Itching and swelling
• Inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis)

How Is The Procedure Performed? 

Your surgeon will give local anesthesia, and shave the donor area, but some surgeons prefer performing the procedure without shaving the donor area. If you have Trypanophobia (fear of needles), Your doctor will administer anesthesia via a different approach.

Your surgeon will extract hair grafts, then they will place them in a container filled with a special solution that helps keep the grafts alive. Upon completing the extraction process, your surgeon (or a team of expert technicians) will begin to make incisions – on the recipient area – using a micro blade and 0.6 to 1.0 mm special micro punches.

Hair grafts are inserted into the recipient area soon after the incisions are made. After the procedure, your head will be covered with bandages, and your doctor will prescribe painkillers to manage any pain or discomfort.

How To Prepare For The Procedure? 

• A week prior to the surgery, you should stop taking Aspirin or any other blood thinners.

• If you are allergic to any drugs, you should inform your surgeon before the surgery begins.

• 24 hours before the surgery, you should avoid smoking because it will affect your recovery period.

• Alcoholic beverages should be avoided 24 hours before the surgery.

• If you are taking medication for chronic or acute diseases such as diabetes, or heart disease, you should inform your surgeon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is FUE Hair Transplant Painful?

You may feel pain or soreness after the procedure is done. However, your surgeon may prescribe painkillers to relieve this pain and discomfort.

Does FUE Hair Transplant Leave a Scar?

Considering that the FUE technique requires hair units to be removed one by one, there is no linear scalp scar is created in the donor area.

Is FUE Hair Transplant Permanent?

Since transplanted hairs will behave as they are in the donor area, it is not guaranteed that a hair transplant will last forever. But your new hair will probably stay with you for a very long time.