Hair Transplant: Results and Timings

Compared to other treatments for male pattern baldness (MPB) out there, hair transplants boast immediate, safe, and long-lasting results. That’s why they are increasingly popular, fuelling a boom in transplant clinics across the UK.

Here, we’re taking you through everything you can expect from your hair transplant results – from when you’ll first see regrowth to how long you will keep your new head of hair.

Specifically, we’ll answer the question, how long does a hair transplant last? 

We’ll get there. But let’s start from the top:

How Does a Hair Transplant Work?

A hair transplant is a type of surgery that takes healthy hair follicles from one part of the scalp and inserts them into areas where hair growth has slowed. These healthy follicles continue to produce hair in the recipient area.

Hair restoration surgery works because MPB – or androgenic alopecia, as it’s also known – does not affect all areas of the scalp equally. While you might be balding more at the front of your head or the crown, areas like the back and sides of your scalp are likely to continue to produce healthy hair.

These follicles are removed from the donor area and reinserted in the balding area. This happens primarily through one of two techniques:

• Follicular unit transplantation (FUT). In FUT, a strip of your scalp is removed from the donor area and cut into smaller pieces, which are then reinserted into your hairline.
• Follicular unit extraction (FUE). During an FUE hair transplant, individual follicles are extracted and reinserted. This can take a little longer.

Both methods are highly effective — but FUE is generally more expensive due to the extra work required. However, it can reduce the risk of a visible linear scar.

Note: Results are not immediate. Hair transplant surgery intervenes in your scalp, but it can’t encourage hair follicles to grow more quickly. You may need to wait up to six months to see the renewed hair growth and the head of hair you’ve been waiting for.

Find out more: Hair Transplant Recovery Time: What to Expect

How Long Does a Hair Transplant Last Before It Needs to Be Redone?

The results of a hair transplant are, in principle, permanent. As such, a hair transplant can last forever. If your healthy follicle grafts successfully start growing in their new area, you can expect continued hair growth long into the future — if you look after it properly.

There are two things you need to look out for after a hair transplant:

• Shedding hair: In some cases, grafts do not always take hold and may fall out. In these cases, you may need to have a repeat procedure. With improved hair transplant techniques over recent years, this is pretty unlikely. According to clinical studies, over 90% of surgical grafts survive.
  
• Progressive MPB: But, even after the hair transplant procedure, MPB can continue to affect your hair follicles. That means those follicles most sensitive to the condition – those at the hairline and crown – can continue to lose hair. 

Crucially, though, the follicles that come from the back of the head are most resistant to MPB. And they will continue to produce new hair the longest. However, the condition affects everyone differently.

Yet, there are easy ways to ensure your hair remains healthy long into the future.

What You Can Do to Make Hair Transplant Results Last

Finasteride and Minoxidil are two highly effective methods to increase the chances of your hair transplant lasting forever. Your hair restoration surgeon will recommend these during your appointment. 

The two medications are well-known and well-studied products to support the growth of new hair:

• Finasteride: It’s a hair loss medication that has been found to be effective in 90% of men who use it. It works by tackling the root cause of MPB, a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which weakens and damages your hair follicles. Finasteride inhibits DHT production, meaning there’s less in your system. You can take it daily as a pill, and it will help support the continued growth of natural hair.
  
• Minoxidil: Often sold as Regaine, Minoxidil is a hair loss treatment that comes as a topical spray or solution. It supports the health of your hair follicles by dilating (widening) the blood vessels in your scalp to ensure the follicles have all the nutrients and oxygen they need.

You may be advised to take one of these aftercare treatments after your surgery — or both. They help you get the best results possible from the procedure and ensure your hair transplant really does last forever.

Does a Hair Transplant Have a High Success Rate?

Yes, hair transplants have a high success rate. Thanks to effective procedures, skilled clinicians, and well-developed aftercare, most men who undergo hair surgery are satisfied with the results.

In fact, according to clinical studies, the majority of men who undergo hair transplantation surgery show a “significant increase” in personal satisfaction and an increased level of self-esteem.

That could be you, too!

Key Takeaways

Hair transplants are safe, effective, and usually highly successful procedures that can increase personal satisfaction and self-esteem.

But how long does a hair transplant last? With the correct aftercare, you can expect your results to last long into the future. Find out if a hair transplant is right for you by booking a consultation with us.

FAQs

How Long Does a Hair Transplant Take?

For most patients, a hair transplant takes about a day, including consultation, preparation, and surgery. Depending on the extent of your hair loss, though – and the method you choose – it can take a little longer. You may have to revisit the clinic the next day to complete the procedure.

Do Hair Transplants Fall Out Again?

The vast majority of hair transplants do not fall out again. Implanted hairs are usually well-received in the donor area, and they will typically go on to thrive. In some cases, though, they can fall out.

Remember that MPB is a progressive condition, which can continue even after your transplantation.

While we've ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.