After having a hair transplant surgery, many people anxiously await to see the final results. So, when they notice that their hair growth has slowed down, they get worried that something bad has happened.
Is the Hair Transplant Surgery Making My Hair Grow Slow?
Each patient is unique. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. You might experience slow hair growth right after the surgery, or the surgery might have nothing to do with slowing down your hair growth. Every person has a natural hair growth cycle, and all the transplanted hair will start growing at the same speed when they do.
It can take up to three months for your transplanted hair to start growing. However, possibly, during that time, the rest of your hair might experience normal growth.
Why Does My Hair Grow So Slow After Hair Transplant Surgery?
Soon after hair transplant surgery, patients experience hair loss. That’s because the hair follicles have entered the exogen phase of the hair growth cycle. This phase is an extension of the telogen or resting phase. It happens because the extraction and implantation of hair follicles stress them out, and so they enter the telogen phase. However, you don’t have to worry because the shedding allows for the new, healthy hair to grow.
This stage can last for weeks or months. Transplanted hair follicles start growing approximately 3 months after the surgery. So, you might have to wait till then. Even after that, initially, your hair will grow half an inch per month for some time. After 6 months, your hair will start to grow at a rate of one and a half-inch per month. Eventually, your hair will start to grow at the same pace as it used to in the donor region before the transplant.
Will My Hair Grow Slowly in the Donor Region?
Keep in mind that in the FUE hair transplant, the surgeon will evenly extract hair from the donor area. Thus, the surgery by its very nature will thin out your donor area as there is going to be less hair there. You shouldn’t worry, though, as the surgeon will make sure that the donor area isn’t patchy after the extraction takes place. Still, its density will decrease.
The transplanted hair can take months before they start growing, but once they do, they will grow quite normally in the new place. The other regions on your scalp will also have their growth cycle unaltered.
But, as you know, each patient is different. In some cases, the hair follicles in the donor area can also enter the telogen phase as a result of the surgery stress. Again, there’s nothing to worry about. Your hair will start to grow normally in a couple of months.
Is There Any Way I Can Support My Hair Growth?
Bad aftercare may cause bad results, so your aftercare process is very important after you have your surgery. You need to keep your scalp clean while being gentle. A healthy lifestyle and diet can surely help accelerate your hair growth.
We encourage you to be patient. It is understandable that you want to see the result of your surgery as soon as possible, but it will take a whole year. Sometimes, it is a year and a half. Your hair growth cycle will not be harmed as a result of transplant surgery.