With more than half of men and women experiencing hair loss before age 50, many people begin the battle with hair loss with over-the-counter products and supplements. However, the most effective method of restoring your hair and your confidence is hair transplant surgery.
Hair restoration procedures like Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant represent a significant investment in yourself, your appearance, self-image, and confidence. But one question many people often wonder is how long does an FUE hair transplant last? Does it provide long-lasting results to make it worth the cost?
The short answer to these questions is yes, FUE hair transplant provides long-lasting results worth the time, effort, and money. The hair restoration experts at Balance Hair Restoration have put together some information about the longevity of FUE hair transplant results.
What Is FUE Hair Transplant?
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a less invasive hair transplant technique that extracts hair follicles individually. During the FUE graft harvesting procedure, the hair is shaved in the donor area, usually the back and sides of the head, but it can also include the beard, chest, or other hair-bearing regions.
Our experts use a particular punch device that collects 400 to 700 hair grafts per hour. Following the graft harvest, the grafts are prepared, the scalp is numbed with anesthetic, then grafts are strategically placed through tiny incisions in the recipient region. This process requires precise, detail-oriented placement of each graft at a specific angle and depth for natural-looking results.
Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) Method
FUE hair transplant harvesting differs significantly from Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT). FUT, or the “strip” method, is a hair restoration technique that removes a strip of hair-bearing skin from the donor area, usually a discreet section of the back of the scalp. The strip is typically less than 1.5 centimeters wide but can be several centimeters long, stretching across the back of the head. Once stitched up, the donor area is typically covered by the surrounding hair but may form a significant scar as it heals.
Following the FUT method of graft harvesting, the strategic placement of the grafts is the same as the FUE method.
While we don’t perform FUT surgery at Balance Hair Restoration, if Dr. Malhotra determines this method would be most suitable for you, he will refer you to a trusted colleague.
FUE hair transplant also offers these benefits over the FUT method:
- Unlike FUT, FUE has no incisions to promote faster healing
- While FUT can leave a noticeable scar, FUE may leave small, easily concealed scars
- You can wear hair in any style, even short styles, without revealing scars after FUE
- After the FUE transplant, the scalp will be tender but without incision pain
- FUE hair transplant are often an easier method for women, due to the hidden donor technique
- The FUE method is ideal for patients who don’t qualify for FUT due to scalp tightness or lack of donor hair
The hidden donor technique available with the FUE hair transplant method requires growing the hair longer prior to graft harvesting. This technique doesn’t require shaving the entire head; instead, small sections of the head are shaved to harvest individual hair follicles. These sections are typically well-concealed by the longer hair surrounding the donor areas after the harvest is complete.
How Long Does an FUE Hair Transplant Last?
Some of the most important questions we receive at Balance Hair Restoration are “How long does an FUE hair transplant last?” and “Is a hair transplant permanent?”
While the short answer to these questions is that FUE hair transplant provides a permanent solution for hair loss, there are instances where it isn’t the case.
The permanence of a hair transplant greatly depends on how each individual cares for their hair, so the lifespan of your results is not guaranteed. However, thoroughly following all pre- and post-surgical instructions helps ensure that your newly transplanted hair follicles take root and thrive.
What Factors Affect the Longevity of an FUE Hair Transplant?
Hair transplant success and longevity depend on several factors. One crucial aspect is the experience and skill of the hair restoration surgeon. As hair restoration is equal parts artistry and science, choosing a knowledgeable plastic surgeon like Dr. Pramit Malhotra is essential to accomplishing optimal, long-lasting results.
Here are a few other factors that may affect the longevity of your FUE hair transplant results.
The Donor Site
One factor is the thickness and health of the hair in the donor site—the thicker and fuller the hair, the better the results. A large donor area produces the best results as there are more individual hair follicles to harvest.
Pre-Surgical Care Instructions
Following your hair transplant consultation, you will receive instructions on how to prepare for your surgery. By following pre-surgical care instructions, hair transplant procedures are typically more successful. Failure to follow instructions can negatively impact results and longevity.
Some important factors to consider in preparing for your hair transplant surgery are:
- Smoking, vaping, or using any nicotine products for 2 weeks prior to and following surgery is prohibited
- Stop blood thinning medications, including anti-inflammatories or anti-depressants for 2 weeks
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine consumption for at least a week prior to surgery
- You may be required to use medications, such as minoxidil, for a month prior to surgery
Post-Surgical Care Instructions
Like pre-surgical care, taking care of your hair and new grafts following surgery is particularly important. Effectively following your surgeon’s instructions will help ensure the longevity of your hair transplant results.
In the first few days after FUE transplant surgery, patients should avoid touching their scalp or picking at the scabs to avoid dislodging hair grafts or causing infection. It’s important to note that each patient should sleep on their back with their head and neck significantly elevated to prevent damage to the grafts for 7 to 10 days following surgery.
Following an FUE hair transplant, you should also avoid:
- Direct sunlight for 2 weeks
- Washing or brushing the hair for at least 48 hours
- Strenuous exercise for a week
- Swimming for approximately 3 to 4 months
- Wearing any head coverings for 10 days
Medications and Supplements
After hair transplant surgery, your surgeon may recommend medications, such as minoxidil or finasteride, to help boost the results of your surgery and ensure longevity. Your surgeon may also recommend taking vitamins or supplements to help your body recover. Taking vitamins or eating foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E all promote hair growth, furthering the lifespan of your hair transplant.
Can an FUE Hair Transplant Be Repeated?
Typically, 50% of hair loss occurs before balding is noticeable, so rebuilding thick density often requires multiple procedures. During your consultation, we will create a personalized plan to address your hair loss that may require a series of carefully spaced treatments and medications, such as finasteride or minoxidil.
While transplanted hairs will continue growing for the rest of a patient’s life, a family history of hair loss might mean you’ll continue losing hair in other areas not treated by the transplant. You may begin experiencing noticeable spots or patches around the transplanted areas, which could require a second hair transplant to maintain your results.
How Can You Ensure the Longevity of Your FUE Hair Transplant?
Your first step in ensuring the longevity of your FUE hair transplant surgery results is choosing a reputable provider like Dr. Malhotra and the knowledgeable team at Balance Hair Restoration. During your consultation, Dr. Malhotra will assess your hair loss to present you with the best treatment options for your specific situation.
To achieve the best results, it’s essential to follow all instructions to ensure you do all you can to increase your chances of a successful hair transplant. Instructions may be as simple as avoiding strenuous exercise or waiting a few days before touching the scalp and hair after surgery.
It’s important to follow your surgeon’s thorough instructions regarding medications and supplements prior to and after your surgery. You may be prescribed pain medications, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory drugs following your surgery. Your surgeon may also suggest minoxidil to enhance hair growth following the transplant.
Rest following your FUE hair transplant surgery is paramount. Be sure to take a few days off following your surgery to ensure you are giving your body all the rest it needs to heal. Most patients can resume light work in 4 to 5 days.
What Are the Post-Operative Instructions for a FUE Hair Transplant?
Follow-up care to monitor progress is an essential factor in successful hair transplant surgery. During your follow-up appointments, Dr. Malhotra and his team will examine your scalp health to assess the recipient and donor areas to evaluate your hair growth. Following Dr. Malhotra’s instructions thoroughly will help you accomplish your best hair transplant results.
Following the FUE hair transplant procedure, it’s important to take it easy for several days to prevent damage to the new hair grafts. This includes:
- Most patients take a week off from work to rest. Resting also includes avoiding strenuous exercises and swimming
- For at least 10 days, you will need to sleep on your back with your head and neck significantly elevated. This position also helps minimize swelling and prevents damage to the recipient areas.
- Avoid wearing hats or any head covering that is tight on the scalp to prevent damage to the hair grafts for at least 10 days
- Don’t drink alcohol, smoke, or use any nicotine products during recovery, as they can impact hair transplant results
- Do your best to avoid touching your scalp, including washing your hair, for at least 48 hours
What Is the Success Rate of FUE Hair Transplant Procedures?
Life has no guarantees—unless you’re getting hair transplant surgery at Balance Hair Restoration! We stand by our work, and Balance Hair Restoration is so confident that we offer this graft growth pledge.
Every Balance Hair Restoration patient can count on our graft growth pledge—80% of your grafts will grow, or we’ll add additional grafts to get your results to 80%. Most of our patients exceed 90% growth. For you, this promise means you can feel confident that your hair restoration investment will yield results.
Our team uses the most advanced hair restoration technologies available to optimize every step of the hair transplantation process. This cutting-edge technology helps us minimize damage to hair grafts and create natural-looking hairlines. It also gives us confidence in your hair restoration results.
We only recommend hair restoration to patients when we are certain we can create a natural-looking hairline and ensure long-lasting results. If we aren’t positive that we can provide excellent results, we won’t recommend surgery. With over 50 years of combined experience performing hair restoration procedures on men and women, our expert team has honed our techniques and optimized our process by prioritizing exceptional patient outcomes.
Dr. Pramit Malhotra, one of the top plastic surgeons in Ann Arbor, is our leader at Balance Hair Restoration. He is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced training in hair restoration. As a hair transplant patient himself, Dr. Malhotra understands the life-changing impact of a successful hair restoration procedure and wants his patients to have the same positive experience.
How Long Does It Take to See the Results of an FUE Hair Transplant?
As it takes time to transform thinning hair into a beautiful, thicker head of hair, your FUE hair transplant results require patience. First, you will notice new hair grafts begin to shed a couple of weeks after your FUE hair transplant. Then, in 3 to 4 months, you will notice regrowth appearing. Your final outcome may take 9 to 12 months.
Schedule Your FUE Consultation with Balance Hair Restoration Today!
Dr. Pramit Malhotra and the expert team at Balance Hair Restoration want to help you feel empowered to make decisions about your hair transplant. They are here to help you navigate your hair restoration options to ensure you receive natural-looking results that you’ll love.Are you ready to learn how FUE hair transplant with Ann Arbor’s best hair restoration providers can help you restore your hair and your confidence? Contact us today or call (734) 913-5100 to learn more!
