Hair loss affects more than 50% of men and women at some point in their lives [1]. Having a full head of luscious, thick hair is often seen as the beauty ideal, so losing your hair can be traumatic and make you feel self-conscious about the way you look.
Hair loss can also impact the way you think about other aspects of your life, such as ageing or relationships. Thankfully, new developments in hair restoration technology have meant that those who suffer from hair loss can now find a permanent solution through a hair transplant.
If you have experienced hair loss, then a trip to the barber or hairdresser may have previously filled you with dread. But if you’ve had a hair transplant and are now enjoying a fuller head of hair and a confidence boost, you may be ready for a fresh new style. However, before you get a haircut after a hair transplant, there are a few important things you need to know.
In this article, you’ll learn when it’s time for a haircut post-transplant, what to do before your first trim, how to care for your hair after a transplant, and what to expect from the recovery process.
Key takeaways
At around one month post-transplant [2], you can usually consider a haircut once both the donor and recipient areas feel fully healed. This means no scabs, redness, or tenderness remain.
The skin should look smooth and clear, with no visible crusts or irritation. Getting a haircut too early can irritate your scalp and, in some cases, interfere with graft survival if the follicles haven’t fully anchored.
Before you get your first haircut after hair transplant surgery, you should speak to your surgeon at your follow-up appointment to make sure your scalp is healing properly. If the healing process is a little slower than normal and there is still hair transplant redness, sensitivity, swelling, or scabbing, you may need to wait before getting a new haircut.
Persistent irritation can indicate that the scalp is still inflamed or healing beneath the surface, meaning clippers or combs could cause discomfort or damage fragile grafts. Cutting your hair too soon could aggravate the area and slow down healing even more.
Your hair transplant surgeon is the best person to advise on timings for a haircut as everyone recovers at slightly different rates, and your hairdresser or barber may not have any experience with hair transplants.
The first month after hair transplant surgery does require you to give your scalp and hair a little more care and attention than you would normally. Dr Ricardo Correia says,
“The first week postoperatively is vital, as it is during this time that the grafts begin to heal within the incisions and are still at risk of being displaced if not handled with care. It is paramount that no force is exerted onto the grafts at this stage.”
“At The Wimpole Clinic, we advise that the grafts are only gently cleansed during the first week, starting on day one with an hourly spray, followed by gentle washing with shampoo and rinsing clean from day three.”
Dr Correia adds,
“From day seven, gentle massaging of the grafts during shampooing should be performed to break up and remove the scabs that were formed to initially help protect and anchor the grafts. This can take up to three to five days; however, if by seven days of massaging the grafts, there are still some scabs left, I would advise gentle small circles with a fine-toothed comb to pry them away.”
“A normal shampoo routine can be started from day ten to fourteen post-operatively, using a mild shampoo with minimal chemicals and preferably one natural oil. This regime lowers the risk of graft displacement and wound infection.”
Steer clear of heat tools and chemical treatments while your scalp’s still recovering, and avoid hairstyling products for 2 weeks post-op [2].
Good news — recovery after a hair transplant is generally predictable and uneventful [3], although healing in the donor area tends to be faster after FUE than FUT. Because FUE involves only small circular extractions, the area usually feels comfortable and ready for gentle grooming sooner.
FUT, however, leaves a linear incision that can remain tender or tight for longer, so patients should wait until the donor area has healed before resuming normal haircuts or styling. At the Wimpole Clinic, you’ll have regular follow-up appointments after a hair transplant and your surgeon will give personalised advice about when to restart your hair care routines.
It’s also completely normal to notice a few hairs falling out after your transplant. This type of hair loss post-surgery is known as shock loss and it’s a natural part of the hair growth cycle. Think of this process as being similar to baby teeth falling out and stronger teeth coming in, only in this situation, healthy hair will grow instead.
The hair strands might fall out but the transplanted hair follicles will still be there, so new hair will regrow over time. Shock loss tends to resolve within 3-4 months [4], at which point new hair starts growing in.
Other common symptoms to expect include hair transplant swelling, redness, scabbing and itching. These symptoms are completely normal, and the graphic above shows how long they usually last.
Feel free to get your hair styled any way you want. Providing your scalp has healed well with no scabs or sensitivity, the risk of dislodging your transplanted hair grafts is minimal, with the exception of very short styles like buzz cuts or a shaved head.
You’re still welcome to get a buzz cut after a hair transplant, but you’ll need to wait around 3 months to avoid any risk of slowing the recovery process. Some men decide to shave their hair very short around 3 months to mask any difference in length between their natural hair and the transplanted follicles, so the hair can then continue to grow at the same length.
Another option is to go for a more voluminous style to cover up the donor area hair which is still growing. Now that you have more hair to play with, you can enjoy the process of finding a style to suit you.
It’s best to hold off from using heat styling tools like hairdryers and straighteners for at least six months after your procedure. You should also avoid chemical treatments such as colouring or bleaching for six months, or until your surgeon says it’s safe.
Even using a hairdryer can burn your scalp if your transplant area is still numb. Plus, excessive heat can damage existing hair as well as new follicles. Your new follicles may also be more sensitive to chemicals and styling products in the initial growth stages, so there’s a possibility you could have an adverse reaction.
Before dyeing your hair after a transplant for the first time, you should do a patch test, even if you have used the dye before. The newly transplanted hair follicles may react differently to the dye.
It’s completely normal for your hair to look uneven or patchy in the first few months after a transplant. Scabbing and redness usually resolve within two weeks, while transplanted hairs often shed for the first few months.
New growth typically starts around 3 to 4 months [5], and hair shedding should resolve around this time. Your hair density should gradually improve over the following months, with final results visible around 12-18 months.
These before and after hair transplant photos of Wimpole Clinic patients can give you an idea of what to expect post-op. However, everyone heals at different rates, and factors like hair colour and type will affect how quickly you’ll see the results you want.
Learn more here about what to expect at each stage post-transplant:
Your choice of clinic and surgeon is one of the biggest factors that influence the ultimate outcome of your hair transplant. It’s best to go for a reputable clinic with a proven track record of high hair transplant success rates.
The Wimpole Clinic has been awarded best hair transplant clinic for four years running. We work with some of the best hair transplant surgeons in the UK and have performed over 25,000 successful procedures since we opened in 1975.
Our team is second to none, and our expert trichologists provide a comprehensive assessment if you’re experiencing hair loss. They can help identify the reason your hair is falling out and arrange suitable treatment, including PRP hair treatment, finasteride, minoxidil, low-level laser therapy, or a consultation with a hair transplant surgeon.
Book a free consultation at your nearest clinic location to learn more about your options. See our list of questions to ask about hair transplant surgery to get the most out of your appointment.
Yes, you can shave your head after both FUE and FUT, but only after around 3 months. Shaving too soon can delay healing. Once your surgeon is happy that your scalp has healed sufficiently, you can safely shave your head without affecting the transplanted follicles or hair growth.
Follow your surgeon’s hair transplant aftercare instructions carefully. Keep your scalp clean, avoid touching or scratching the grafts, and sleep with your head elevated for the first few nights. Stay hydrated, eat a healthy diet for hair growth, and avoid smoking, alcohol, and strenuous exercise after your hair transplant for as long as is recommended by your surgeon.
Yes, transplanted hair behaves just like your donor hair because it comes from the same follicles. This means it will go grey at the same rate and pattern as the area from which it was transplanted. A transplant won’t prevent ageing, but the results will still look completely natural.
Many celebrities schedule hair transplants during breaks from public appearances, wear hats, or use styling tactics to cover redness or scabs. Celebrity hair transplants may be combined with additional treatments like PRP to speed up hair regrowth. With careful planning and styling, it’s possible to get a hair transplant without anyone knowing.
Wimpole Clinic Services:
Hair Transplants, Beard Transplants & Eyebrow Transplants.
Talk to a specialist
