Is it possible to remove hair grafts before they grow out?

It is possible to remove transplanted grafts after a hair transplant; however, attempting to remove them before the hair has grown out increases the risk of scarring. Therefore, it is advisable to wait for the process to complete ideally at least 9 to 12 months before performing this procedure.

If grafts are removed before the hair has fully grown, their angle of emergence, subcutaneous orientation, and the exact number of transplanted grafts may not be clearly discernible; consequently, this results in increased scarring and prevents the grafts from being extracted intact.

It is possible for previously transplanted hair grafts to be removed and placed in a different area, to correct the mistakes. However, I do not recommend this option because it may lead to a less natural-looking hairline and further scaring.

Hello, and thank you for your question. Let me start by saying if you are not 100% sure about getting a hair transplant, don't do it. you, I'm guessing that's why you are asking the question. Yes, you can remove grafts within the first few days. The longer you wait the more difficult it is, and it will get to a point where you'll have to let them grow out and then remove them. Please find a reputable surgeon with whom you are very comfortable with to ensure great results. Best of luck to you.

Dr. T

It’s easy to remove them within the first 5 days and after that it becomes progressively more difficult as information to grow a hair gets permanently put into the scalp. Still, even with the first 2 weeks, it’s possible to pluck them out. Between 3-6 weeks weeks and the time they grow out (in 3-8 months), it’s almost impossible to remove them. They are hidden beneath the scalp getting prepared to manufacture a new hair. Once they grow out they can be removed (or at least reduced) by laser or by surgical excision. Removal of grafts is not always easy and that’s why it is so important to ensure that one has a good lifelong hair restoration plan before starting a surgery. It is very challenging sometimes to remove hairs without disrupting surrounding akin or disrupting other neighbouring hairs. One should ideally never plan a procedure with the thought that hairs will be removed. However, in the event that they must be removed, it is possible to remove some or all - albeit it is associated with many challenges.