Post-Op Course in Follicular Unit Transplantation
Patients often worry about the potential visibility of their new grafts. Scabbing or crusts that tend to form on the scalp surface should be washed off as they accumulate for the first few days following the surgery. With the very small sites used in Follicular Unit Transplantation, no new crusts will form after the second day. Other than the stubble of transplanted hair and some faint redness, the transplant should not be visible after the first week.
The following chart shows the anticipated course for the average patient undergoing Follicular Unit Transplantation, regardless of the size of the session. It is intended to serve as a general guide. It is normal for there to be significant variability between people and even between sessions in the same person. Therefore, if you do not follow the course exactly as outlined, do not be concerned.
TIME POST-OP
 |
TRANSPLANTED AREA
|
DONOR SUTURED AREA
|
| Next Day |
Hair is washed thoroughly. Grafts should be clean of blood. |
Some soreness, tightness and numbness. |
| 2-3 Days |
Scabbing is largely gone. Moderate redness may be present. Some swelling may appear on forehead. |
Soreness begins to disappear. Some numbness may continue. |
| 1 Week |
Redness is minimal to absent. Swelling is usually gone. 1st Post-op Visit. |
Soreness is generally gone. Occasionally some numbness persists. |
| 2 Weeks |
Looks and feels like a 4-day-old beard. |
Sutures begin to absorb. Discomfort is gone. Numbness is uncommon. |
| 2-8 Weeks |
Transplanted hair is shed as the follicles enter a dormant phase. |
Knots at the ends of the absorbable sutures fall off. |
| 2-4 Months |
Some original hair may be shed in the transplanted area. |
Any residual numbness in the donor area is generally gone. |
| 3-6 Months |
Transplanted hair begins to grow first as very fine hair. |
|
| 5-10 Months |
Some or all of the original hair that was shed begins to grow. |
|
| 8 Months |
Hair is groomable, but transplant appears thin as hair continues to grow and thicken. Slight textural change in hair is occasionally present. |
|
| 8-12 Months |
Patient is evaluated for a possible second procedure. |
|
| 1 Year |
90% of the final appearance of procedure is usually present. |
|
| 1-2 Years |
There may be additional fullness during the second year. Any textural change in hair usually returns to normal. |
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