Hair transplant statistics show that over 70% of men who choose surgical hair restoration do so to improve their image among their professional contacts or their romantic prospects [1]. Since the way we are perceived socially is often important to us, it is not surprising that many people who opt for FUE or FUT surgery choose to keep it quiet.
If you are wondering how to hide your hair transplant, this article will give you all the information you need, such as:
While you don’t necessarily need to hide your hair transplant, some people opt for this for privacy reasons, as this procedure can be conspicuous at first. During the first few days after your hair transplant, there will be several visible signs that you’ve had hair restoration surgery. Most patients experience some of the following minor hair transplant side effects [2][3]:
Once the healing process is completed and the scabs on your transplant area have fallen off, you will likely experience a normal and temporary shedding of your newly implanted hair. This phenomenon is known as hair transplant shock loss and you will normally start seeing hair regrowth about 4 months later.
Finally, once you have achieved your final hair transplant results after 1 year, you shouldn’t have much left to hide. A successful and skillfully performed FUE procedure shouldn’t leave visible traces. And if you opted for FUT instead, you may have a fine, linear scar on the back of your head that can easily be covered up.
Transplant area appearance 1-2 days after rugby player Jonathan Joseph’s hair transplant at the Wimpole Clinic
These visible, temporary side effects that occur during the first few days post-surgery can be very difficult to conceal. That is because your new hair grafts are not yet securely attached and are very fragile until at least 7 to 10 days after your hair transplant. During this time, you cannot safely wear anything on your head.
If you need a lower number of grafts, you may be able to opt for an unshaven FUE hair transplant. This procedure does not require fully shaving your head so once the swelling goes down, it will be almost undetectable.
However, if an unshaven FUE is not an option for you, tThe best thing you can do to keep the tell-tale signs of your fresh hair restoration surgery out of public view is to take some time to recover at home. You can also go on a vacation to a place where nobody knows you if you so choose. But it is recommended to keep physical effort to a minimum during the first days post-op, so you may not be able to make the most of your holiday.
Furthermore, it is a good idea to remain within a reasonable distance of the clinic where you had your transplant, in case something goes wrong and you need an emergency checkup with your surgeon.
Once your grafts are securely attached and in no further danger of being accidentally pulled out, covering the traces of your hair restoration surgery becomes much easier. You can safely choose one or more of the following options.
If you are experiencing hair transplant shedding, there may be a visible discrepancy between the balding spot on the area around your new grafts and the rest of your hair. Getting a short haircut after your hair transplant should not be a problem as long as at least 1 month has passed since the procedure. This will help reduce the contrast between the fuller and thinning areas on your scalp.
Getting a buzzcut after your hair transplant can make the shock loss far less conspicuous. It can also help reduce differences in hair length as it starts to grow back. Moreover, it is a rugged, masculine hairstyle that complements most face types. And if you combine it with a sexy Statham stubble or a confident full beard style, it can completely reset your look.
Many men wonder how soon after their hair transplant they can wear a hat. While you cannot do so right away, as your grafts need to heal, you can start safely wearing one 14 days after your hair transplant. Whether you are a laid-back, baseball cap kind of guy, a hip beanie bro or prefer a stylish Panama, headwear can cover up any traces of a hair transplant. They can comfortably obscure any traces of shock loss, as well as any donor area scarring. They can also complete your overall style.
However, if less than 1 month since your hair transplant has passed, be sure to choose comfortable, loose-fitting hats. Opt for soft fabrics and check the hat does not feel too tight or chafe your scalp in any way. Remove all longer tags on the inside, as they may get bunched up and rub against your transplant area.
Post-hair transplant shock loss can be a problem, especially if you have previously been wearing a hair system and people are unaware of your hair loss. However, a good quality, human hair wig or hairpiece can still have you covered until you can achieve substantial hair regrowth. If your grafts have already healed and over a month has passed since your surgery, you can continue to wear a hairpiece.
If you do opt for a wig or hairpiece, it is a good idea to get a lightweight, mesh-based one, that doesn’t use adhesive (hair systems should be avoided, as they are glued to your scalp). Moreover, it needs to have soft fabric on the inside and it should always be taken off at bedtime, to prevent unnecessary wig friction in your sleep. Here is a great guide to buying a human hair wig.
If you are already sporting a short haircut, it’s easier to reduce the contrast between your transplant area and the rest of your hair until you achieve significant regrowth with hair thickening spray. These artificial fibres can stick to even the shortest and finest hair. Make sure to choose a good colour match to avoid visible shade discrepancies.
However, it is a good idea to wait at least a month post-surgery before using camouflage sprays on your scalp. Getting your surgeon’s approval beforehand is a good idea. Finally, test the spray on a small patch of skin on your arm before applying it to your scalp to check for a potential allergic reaction.
If you have a visible scar on your donor area from your FUT procedure, there is a quick fix. Simply growing your hair a little longer at the back of your head can help you effectively mask it.
You don’t need to grow out a mullet to achieve this. All it takes is a medium-short hairstyle that covers the back of your head well, such as a mop top, a surfer cut, or a bro flow. They work exceptionally well if your hair is textured or you are open to getting layers. Check out these hairstyles for men with thin hair for more ideas.
If you would rather wear your hair short but also want to mask a hair transplant scar, you can always try scalp micropigmentation (SMP). This procedure involves using a specialised tattoo gun to insert pigment into your scalp, under the skin. It works well on scar tissue and should reduce the colour contrast between the scar and the hair around it.
If you decide to get SMP, be sure to get it at a reputable hair clinic rather than a tattoo parlour. This kind of procedure requires specially trained technicians to make sure the result looks natural and that you won’t experience scalp micropigmentation regrets.
England Cricket Captain Ben Stokes talking to Dr. Ismail Ughratdar about his hair loss journey 5 years after his successful 1800-graft FUE hair transplant at the Wimpole Clinic
Maintaining privacy around a hair restoration procedure is entirely a personal choice. While some patients prefer to cover up any trace of their surgery, others are outspoken about it. For example, many celebrities with hair transplants have spoken openly about their experience. Here are some good examples:
It is entirely up to you whether you see fit to disclose that you’ve had this cosmetic procedure or if you would rather keep the information to yourself. There is no shame in either of these options and you should always do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.
If you are thinking of getting a natural-looking hair transplant that’s indistinguishable from your natural hairline, book a free consultation with one of our world-class surgeons. Our portfolio speaks for itself when it comes to surgical skill level and exceptional results. See our before and after hair transplant photo gallery for examples.
Our specialists will be happy to walk you through every step of this procedure, answer all your questions and help you set realistic expectations for your results. They will also provide you with the best, personalised information about how to conceal your hair transplant at different stages of healing, taking your lifestyle and preferences into account.
If you would like to know more about the best ways to hide your hair transplant, take a look at the answers to these frequently asked questions.
It is recommended to wait for at least 1 year after your hair transplant to get SMP [4]. That is because this type of hair tattoo for men can last up to 5-10 years if it is well-performed. Since you cannot predict the exact pattern in which your hair will grow post-transplant, getting SMP before your final transplant results can lead to an uneven appearance. However, you can absolutely get it to fill in the thinner sections of your scalp after achieving your final hair restoration results.
No, there shouldn’t normally be visible scarring after a well-performed FUE hair transplant, in the absence of complications such as infection on the donor area. If some minor scarring does occur, it typically looks like a small dot and will normally be easily covered by your hair.
If your hair transplant has gone wrong, leaving you with an unnatural pattern, it may be a good idea to get corrective surgery. If it was the result of poor surgeon skill rather than inadequate hair transplant aftercare, you will want to see a reputable, experienced surgeon to perform the second intervention.
However, if you don’t have enough hair left on your donor area or no longer qualify for this surgery for health reasons, you can use any of the tips in this article to hide your patchy spots.
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