Hair Transplant FAQ

What Should I Expect After a Hair Transplant?

Learn more about hair restoration procedures, treatment planning, recovery, transplanted hair growth, and expected results with Dr. Brett Bolton.

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What Should I Expect After a Hair Transplant?

Knowing what to expect after a hair transplant can help you prepare for the healing and hair-growth process. The scalp typically heals over the first several days and weeks, while visible hair growth develops gradually over the following months.

What Happens Immediately After a Hair Transplant?

  • Mild redness, swelling, tenderness, or scalp sensitivity may occur.
  • Small scabs may develop around the transplanted grafts.
  • Your surgical team will provide instructions for caring for the donor and recipient areas.

What Happens During the First Few Weeks?

The scalp continues to heal during the first few weeks. Transplanted hairs may temporarily shed during this period as the follicles transition into a new growth cycle. Temporary shedding does not necessarily indicate that the transplant was unsuccessful.

When Does New Hair Growth Begin?

  • 3 to 4 Months: Early new hair growth may begin.
  • 6 to 9 Months: Noticeable improvement in coverage and density may develop.
  • 12 to 18 Months: Transplanted hair can continue to mature and thicken as the result develops.

How Can I Protect the Transplanted Grafts?

  • Follow all post-operative instructions provided by your surgical team.
  • Avoid rubbing, scratching, or disturbing the transplanted areas.
  • Protect your scalp from excessive sun exposure as instructed.
  • Follow the recommended hair-washing and scalp-care instructions.
  • Attend scheduled follow-up appointments.

Is Recovery the Same for Everyone?

No. Recovery and hair growth can vary depending on the procedure performed, number of grafts transplanted, individual healing response, scalp condition, and other personal factors.

During your consultation, Dr. Brett Bolton will explain the expected recovery and growth timeline based on your procedure, hair loss pattern, donor supply, and restoration goals.

With more than 10,000+ Hair Restoration Procedures performed and approximately 75% Corrective Hair Transplant Cases, Dr. Brett Bolton creates personalized restoration plans focused on natural-looking, long-term results.

Hair loss can affect different areas of the scalp and may develop in different patterns over time. Understanding the characteristics of hair loss is an important part of considering whether hair transplantation or another restoration approach may be suitable.

Hair transplant planning may consider the extent of hair loss, donor hair availability, hair characteristics, and the patient’s desired restoration goals. These factors can influence how treatment is planned and which areas may be prioritized.

Learning more about hair loss and restoration options can help prospective patients prepare useful questions for a consultation. Individual treatment recommendations should always be based on a patient’s specific circumstances and restoration needs.

Patient Experiences

Hear From Hair Transplant Patients

Explore real patient experiences and learn what patients have shared about their hair restoration journey with Dr. Brett Bolton.

★★★★★
Having procedure today Read Patient Experience →
Patient David
Verified Hairtransplantsociety Review • December 2013
★★★★★
It has been exactly one year since my procedure. I'm so pleased that I ultimately chose Dr. Bolton as my doctor.

I've been experiencing hair loss since I was 19 years old, and I have used Minoxidil ever since then. Now, several decades later, the extent of my hair-loss has progressed and... Read Patient Experience →
Patient Mark
Verified Yelp Review • August 2022
★★★★★
I had three procedures with Clinic B prior to coming to Dr.Bolton. The experience between Dr. Brett Bolton and Clinic B was night and day! After two procedures at Clinic B, I barely noticed any difference in my hairline at all. They actually agreed with me, and decided to do the third procedure for... Read Patient Experience →
Patient S
Verified Hairtransplantsociety Review • May 2014
★★★★★
Just had my procedure 12/20/13, and I had one of the most flawless experiences ever. EVERYTHING went as I told it would go. Flight, hotel, and travel were set up for me and there was not one issue. I was treated like family in the office by Dr. Brett Bolton and his staff. Im so excited, and look... Read Patient Experience →
Patient Ahmad
Verified Hairtransplantsociety Review • December 2013
★★★★★
I wasn't confident before I had this procedure done. Had many insecurities within myself because of my lack of hair. Dr. Brett Bolton changed my life. I had went to multiple doctors before coming across him, had lost hope in finding a perfect match. But after meeting with him and his wonderful... Read Patient Experience →
Patient Luis
Verified Hairtransplantsociety Review • March 2014
★★★★★
Doctor Bolton was so thorough with his work, which is evident with my results. Dr Bolton helped me out a lot, and you can tell by his personality that he really wants to help just by the way he interacts with you. His nurses that work along side him did go above and beyond in making me comfortable. Read Patient Experience →
Patient Jim
Verified Hairtransplantsociety Review • December 2013
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Patient Success Stories

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Shawn

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Patient 316

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Mike

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Tim

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Patient 121

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Real Patient Results

Watch Real Patient Videos & Hair Restoration Results

Explore real patient video testimonials, hair transplant journeys, before-and-after results, and educational hair restoration videos from Dr. Brett Bolton and Hollywood Hair Transplant.

Our Pricing Philosophy

Please understand that we do not charge by the graft. We believe that pricing hair transplantation this way can be misleading. For example, when a clinic quotes “1,000 grafts,” that number alone does not indicate how much hair you are actually receiving. A graft may contain one, two, or three hairs, and each situation represents a very different total amount of hair, even though the patient is charged the same based solely on the graft count. For this reason, we believe that graft-based pricing does not always reflect the true value or outcome of a procedure.

Instead, we have chosen what we believe is a fairer and more transparent approach: pricing based on the amount of donor tissue removed. Our planning is based on averages. The average adult male has approximately 200 hairs per square centimeter in the donor area, although individual hair density varies. Regardless of individual density, patients at the same pricing level receive approximately the same amount of donor tissue extracted. This provides consistency in the amount of tissue removed rather than relying on graft numbers that can vary significantly in hair content.

While it is not possible to guarantee an exact number of square centimeters removed, we make every effort to come as close as possible to the planned amount. When feasible, we aim to slightly exceed the planned amount rather than fall short.