How long does a hair transplant take? What happens on the day of the procedure?

How long does a hair transplant take?

A hair transplant usually takes several hours and often takes up most of the day. It may take less time for a limited area; in plans that need many grafts, cover a large area or are unshaven, the procedure can stretch over almost the whole day. There is no single duration that applies to everyone; we tell you the approximate duration for your case during planning, after the examination.

The time you spend at the clinic, however, is longer than the transplant itself. The welcome, the final check, the marking, the breaks and the explanation of aftercare are also part of the day. That is why we recommend setting aside the whole day for the procedure.

If the number of grafts needed is too large to complete comfortably in a single day, we may consider spreading the plan over two consecutive days or dividing it into separate sessions. We explain the difference between these two options in our article on a second hair transplant session; we discuss in advance, during planning, which one is right for you.

What determines the duration?

Even two procedures done with the same method can take different amounts of time. The main factors that affect the duration are:

We explain the difference between unshaven and shaven plans in detail on the long-hair and unshaven hair transplant page.

A shorter duration is not an advantage in itself. A graft is living tissue even while it is outside the body; it is important that it is taken carefully, does not dry out while it waits, and is placed at the right angle. We also plan the flow of the day so that the grafts do not wait outside the body longer than necessary.

What happens on the day of the procedure?

The order and length of the steps can vary with the plan; we explain your own schedule in advance. In general, the day goes like this:

1. Welcome and final check. We go over your general health, the medicines you take and any tests requested for your plan. Together, we read the informed consent form (a written document that explains the procedure, its possible risks and the options), and we answer your questions.
2. Marking. Using a special skin marker, we draw on your skin the hairline and recipient area that we determined during the examination. We look at it together in the mirror and make final adjustments if needed; we move on to the transplant only once we have agreed on the marking.
3. Preparing the donor area and local anesthesia. Depending on your plan, we cut the hair short in the donor area, either all over or only in narrow strips; in an unshaven plan, we do not cut it short at all. We then numb the area with local anesthesia; most patients are awake throughout the procedure. If you notice a sharp or increasing sensation, tell us; if needed, we give you more anesthetic. What you feel while the anesthetic is given and afterward varies from person to person; we cover this in our article Does a hair transplant hurt?
4. Harvesting the grafts. We take the grafts using the FUE method: we remove follicular units (natural groups of hairs) one by one with a fine-tipped instrument. During this stage, you usually lie face down or on your side. The harvested grafts are usually kept in a chilled storage solution, checked under magnification and sorted by the number of hairs they carry.
5. Break. Because it is a long day, we take a break partway through. During the break, you can eat and drink something, use the restroom and walk around a little. We can also take short breaks during the day as you need them.
6. Opening the channels and placement. After numbing the recipient area with local anesthesia as well, we place the grafts, depending on your plan, either into channels opened beforehand (small incisions where the grafts will sit) or with an implanter pen. An authorized physician opens the channels. Because the angle and direction of the channels determine the direction in which the new hair will grow, this step requires care. During this stage, you usually lie on your back or sit semi-reclined.
7. Final check and aftercare explanation. We check the recipient and donor areas one last time; depending on your plan, we may put a dressing on the donor area. We then give you your written aftercare instructions and explain which medicines to take, how to sleep the first night, when to do the first wash and how to reach us. We set aside time at this step for you to ask about anything on your mind.

When the procedure is over: going home and the first few days

A hair transplant usually does not require a hospital stay; once the procedure is over, you usually return home, or to where you are staying, on the same day. As the anesthetic wears off, you may feel aching and tenderness on the first evening. Take the medicines we have given you as instructed; ask us before taking any other pain reliever.

In the following days, you may notice redness, mild swelling and scabbing in the recipient area; the swelling sometimes moves down to the forehead and around the eyes. How long these last varies from person to person. You can find general information on the hair transplant aftercare page; however, always follow the written instructions we give you.

How should you prepare for the day?

Good preparation helps you get through a long day more comfortably. In general, we ask you to do the following:

• Tell us in advance about all the medicines, herbal products and supplements you take, including blood thinners. Do not stop any medicine on your own; whether a medicine should be paused is decided by the doctor who prescribed it.
• We tell you in advance what you can eat and drink on the morning of the procedure; follow these instructions.
• Wear a comfortable top that buttons or zips up the front. Clothes with a narrow neck that you have to pull over your head can rub against the recipient area after the procedure.
• Arrange in advance how you will get back from the clinic, and plan your schedule for the first few days accordingly.

We cover smoking, alcohol and the days before the procedure in more detail in our article on preparing for a hair transplant.

When should you contact us?

Let us know if, before the day of the procedure, you develop a fever or a flu-like illness, or if a wound, pimples or a rash appear on your scalp. In such cases, the procedure may need to be postponed; we make this decision together after assessing you.

If you notice any of the following after the procedure, contact us without waiting for your follow-up appointment:

• Bleeding that does not stop or keeps coming back
• Increasing pain, redness or swelling
• Discharge, pus or a bad smell in the recipient area or the donor area
• Fever
• Painful or growing pimple-like bumps in the recipient area

In an emergency, or if you cannot reach us, go to the nearest healthcare facility without delay.

This article provides general information. Whether you are suitable for a hair transplant and how your procedure day will be planned are determined during the examination; results also vary from person to person.