A hair transplant usually takes around 4 to 8 hours to complete. But with the preparation and post-procedure monitoring you’ll probably be at the clinic for the entire day — so don’t make other plans!
One study of 207 transplants found that the average hair transplant time was 385 minutes (just under 6 and a half hours) [1].
The length of your surgery depends on a few different factors, including the type of hair transplant you have, and how many hair grafts you need.
In this article, you’ll learn how to estimate how long it will take to perform your hair transplant.
5 factors that affect hair transplant time
Here are 5 things that can impact how long you’re in the chair and how long you’ll need to spend at the hair transplant clinic.
1. The extent of your hair loss
If you’ve lost a lot of hair — say, stages 4 and above on the Norwood Scale — your hair transplant will naturally take longer than for those with earlier stages of hair loss.
This is one good reason to address your hair loss as soon as you can, if it’s worrying you. The sooner you take care of your balding, the less time you’ll spend in the chair.
Plus, if you catch it really early, you may not need a hair transplant at all. Medications like Minoxidil and Finasteride can be really effective for mild to moderate hair loss.
2. The number of grafts you need
The extent of your hair loss is directly linked with the number of hair grafts you need. Here’s a quick rundown of the Norwood stages and how many grafts are typically needed for each one, plus how this translates to hair transplant time:
| Norwood Stage | Approximate number of grafts | Estimated hair transplant time |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 500 – 1,000 | ~4 hours |
| 3 | 1,000 – 1,500 | 4-5 hours |
| 4 | 1,200 – 2,000 | 5-6 hours |
| 5 | 1,800 – 2,200 | 6-7 hours |
| 6-7 | 2,200+ | 7-8 hours |
3. Which type of hair transplant you have
FUE is usually a longer process than FUT. While the implantation time is very similar, it usually takes much longer to extract individual hair grafts using FUE methods than with the strip surgery technique.
FUE typically takes 5-7 hours, while FUT usually takes 4-6 hours. Find out more about the difference between FUT vs FUE.
4. Surgery complications
Any unexpected issues that arise during surgery may add some extra time to your procedure. Choosing a reputable clinic in the UK with the best hair transplant surgeon makes it less likely that you’ll experience any undue problems.
To be fully prepared, make sure you understand the potential for hair transplant complications. Be aware that these are more likely to occur in unsafe, unsanitary environments, or with unskilled practitioners. So it’s important to do your research and find a clinic you truly trust.
5. Preparation and recovery
Clinics usually ask you to arrive early on the day of your procedure so they can prepare you for surgery, design your hairline, and answer any last minute questions you might have.
In addition, good clinics will monitor you for at least an hour or so after the procedure to make sure you’re well enough to go home. So you should expect to spend the entire day at the clinic, and head straight home (or to your hotel) after your procedure.
How long does a hair transplant last?
A few hours of discomfort can give you a transformative new hairline that lasts a lifetime. Hair transplants are permanent, and will last your whole life — especially if you maintain your hair with Finasteride or another appropriate hair maintenance solution. Find out more about how long a hair transplant lasts.
How long does it take to recover?
You’ll feel back to normal within a few days of your procedure. But it takes much longer to see results.
Find out what to expect during hair transplant recovery and when in our hair transplant recovery timeline.
Sources:
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