Many men who choose to have a hair transplant aren’t looking for a flowing Jason Momoa-style mane. They simply want full coverage across their head so they can style their hair however they like with confidence. This includes close-cropped styles like buzz cuts. Many people want to know if they’ll be able to have a buzz cut after a hair transplant.
Whether you choose the FUE or FUT method, your hair will probably need to be shaved in certain areas before the procedure. As a result, you may want to have your hair cut short in preparation.
But what about after your hair transplant? Can you shave your head partially or fully? And how long will you need to wait before you can cut your hair into the style you want?
The good news is that you can have pretty much any style you like after a hair transplant — including a buzz cut.
That said, you can’t head to the barbers the day after surgery. Hair transplant recovery and hair regrowth takes a little while, so you need patience and consideration before you get your hair cut after a hair transplant.
You’ll have to wait at least a few weeks before you can shave or even cut your hair. How long you should wait depends on the speed of your recovery. Scabbing, scarring or redness should heal within around 3 days, but it can take longer than this. If you’re concerned about how well your head is healing after a hair transplant, speak to your consultant.
The grafts take around 5-10 days to settle in and seal themselves comfortably in the scalp. After around 2 weeks, your grafts will start to fall out. This is a completely normal part of the process. Unless your surgeon says otherwise, you should wait for all your grafts to fall out — normally around 1 month after your hair transplant surgery — before you shave or cut your hair.
That said, it’s often best to wait as long as possible before shaving your head. This gives your grafts the best possible chance of settling in and flourishing, potentially leading to better results.
If your wounds haven’t healed completely, there’s a risk that non-sterile implements like clippers or scissors can cause hair transplant infection.
While most infections are short-lived, they can impede your recovery time and even damage the success of your hair transplant. In a few cases, infection can also lead to dangerous conditions like sepsis [1]. So it’s really important to wait for your scalp to be fully healed before you shave your head.
No matter which type of hair transplant surgery you’ve had, you can get a buzz cut.
Hair transplant scars are minimal with an FUE procedure, so there’s no reason not to have a buzz cut if that’s the look you’re after. However, FUT surgery usually leaves a thin but visible scar in your donor area (usually at the back of the head). If you shave your head, the scar may be visible through your hair.
Some FUT patients avoid buzz cuts in order to hide the scar. But most scars fade over time, so some people wait until the scar is less visible before shaving their head.
If your hair transplant is healing well, there’s no particular reason to check with your consultant before getting a haircut. However, if you want to double check you’re ready for the clippers, you should speak to your hair transplant consultant.
Your consultant will know more about the risks of having your hair cut too soon, and can tell you if you’re ready for a haircut or not. So if you’re looking for advice, it’s best to speak to your consultant rather than your hairdresser or barber.
You may feel self-conscious about your hair while your hair transplant takes effect. This is especially true if you’re used to wearing your hair short. While it’s not recommended to trim or cut your hair, many people choose to wear a hat after a hair transplant, especially while the scabs are healing.
A buzz cut isn’t the only styling option for your post-transplant hair. When your head has fully healed and your hair has begun to grow, you can cut, style, and dye your hair after a transplant.
Find out more about cutting and styling your hair in our ultimate guide to getting a haircut after hair transplant surgery.
If you’re yet to find the best hair transplant surgeon to perform your FUE or FUE surgery, check out our before and after hair transplant gallery. Our skilled, experienced surgeons have helped hundreds of patients restore their hair, so they can wear any style they like with confidence.
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