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NeoGraft healing process timeline: What should I expect right after the surgery?

  • 2 years ago
What is the recovery timeline, the next day? 3 days later?

Doctor Answers 20

How fast will I heal after Neograft?

April 23rd, 2015
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Healing after Neograft is fast.  You will have some swelling the day after that will a few days to resolve.  It is not extreme, but you will feel it.  This causes some discomfort but most people say that is isn't really painful.  The donor sites and new hair recipient sites have some tiny scabs that flake off in 3-4 days.  By the 5th or 6th day you can barely see that any procedure was done since the donor sites are basically healed.  Most patients keep their head covered for a couple days.

Web reference: http://www.drhamawy.com/neograft

Adam Hamawy, MD


Princeton Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 51 reviews

April 23rd, 2015

How fast will I heal after Neograft?

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Healing after Neograft is fast.  You will have some swelling the day after that will a few days to resolve.  It is not extreme, but you will feel it.  This causes some discomfort but most people say that is isn't really painful.  The donor sites and new hair recipient sites have some tiny scabs that flake off in 3-4 days.  By the 5th or 6th day you can barely see that any procedure was done since the donor sites are basically healed.  Most patients keep their head covered for a couple days.

Learn more: http://www.drhamawy.com/neograft

Adam Hamawy, MD


Princeton Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 51 reviews

Recovery Timeline

August 26th, 2016
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Great Question and also one that I get asked quite often. Once the surgery is done, the healing process will begin. For this part of the phase, you will have some scabbing (10 days or so), a little bleeding(1st day or 2), and possibly some swelling(Day 2-7, with the most swelling occurring during days 3-5). All of these are very typical and nothing to worry about. This is also the part where you will need to take extra caution around the transplant areas and grafts to allow them to become firmly planted.

Web reference: http://drtorgerson.com/surgical-procedure/hair-transplant/

Cory Torgerson, MD, PhD, FRCSC
August 26th, 2016

Recovery Timeline

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Great Question and also one that I get asked quite often. Once the surgery is done, the healing process will begin. For this part of the phase, you will have some scabbing (10 days or so), a little bleeding(1st day or 2), and possibly some swelling(Day 2-7, with the most swelling occurring during days 3-5). All of these are very typical and nothing to worry about. This is also the part where you will need to take extra caution around the transplant areas and grafts to allow them to become firmly planted.

Learn more: http://drtorgerson.com/surgical-procedure/hair-transplant/

Cory Torgerson, MD, PhD, FRCSC

Timeline of healing following a NeoGraft FUE hair transplant

June 13th, 2015
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The NeoGraft device is a tool that a person (typically a technician) uses to perform a type of hair restoration called follicular unit extraction (FUE).  With the FUE technique, instead of a linear strip being taken from the donor area, individual follicles are extracted from the donor area. The follicles are then implanted into the areas of need. This will cause swelling in both the donor and recipient area.  If you are having any work done in the frontal hair line, frontal temporal recessions, frontal forelock, or the bridge area of the scalp you will have some swelling in your face, most noticeably around your eyes, which peaks on days 3 though 5 after the procedure. There can occasionally be some minor bruising around the eyes as well. The tiny scabs from the FUE extraction sites and the insertion sites in the recipient area will tend to remain for about 6-9 days following the procedure. The hair in the donor area should grow long enough to cover the extraction sites in the donor area as long as the hair is not very fine (eg: thin hair shaft diameter), in which case this could take 2 weeks or more.

For the first 3 days typically there is not much discomfort at all. At our Center, I have our patients irrigate their grafts with a solution in a spray bottle every hour while they are awake. This solution is engineered to nourish the new grafts and wash away scabs. In this manner, for the first 3 days, there is not much pain, but a lot of active wound care on the part of the patient.  The donor area where the follicles were removed from is addressed with a specialized ointment for the first week or so, or until the scabbing stops, whichever comes first.

Web reference: http://www.atlantahairsurgeon.com/patient-forms/

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS
June 13th, 2015

Timeline of healing following a NeoGraft FUE hair transplant

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The NeoGraft device is a tool that a person (typically a technician) uses to perform a type of hair restoration called follicular unit extraction (FUE).  With the FUE technique, instead of a linear strip being taken from the donor area, individual follicles are extracted from the donor area. The follicles are then implanted into the areas of need. This will cause swelling in both the donor and recipient area.  If you are having any work done in the frontal hair line, frontal temporal recessions, frontal forelock, or the bridge area of the scalp you will have some swelling in your face, most noticeably around your eyes, which peaks on days 3 though 5 after the procedure. There can occasionally be some minor bruising around the eyes as well. The tiny scabs from the FUE extraction sites and the insertion sites in the recipient area will tend to remain for about 6-9 days following the procedure. The hair in the donor area should grow long enough to cover the extraction sites in the donor area as long as the hair is not very fine (eg: thin hair shaft diameter), in which case this could take 2 weeks or more.

For the first 3 days typically there is not much discomfort at all. At our Center, I have our patients irrigate their grafts with a solution in a spray bottle every hour while they are awake. This solution is engineered to nourish the new grafts and wash away scabs. In this manner, for the first 3 days, there is not much pain, but a lot of active wound care on the part of the patient.  The donor area where the follicles were removed from is addressed with a specialized ointment for the first week or so, or until the scabbing stops, whichever comes first.

Learn more: http://www.atlantahairsurgeon.com/patient-forms/

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS

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Neograft healing time

January 14th, 2015
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The healing time only takes a few days, but the swelling from the saline and local anesthesia may take 5-7 days to fully resolve.  It all depends upon where you're getting the hair grafts placed.  However, most of my patients are ready to return to work after a week.  

Thanks for your question!

Dr. Schreiber, Baltimore plastic surgeon

Web reference: http://www.chesapeakehair.com/photo-gallery/baltimore-hair-transplantation/

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS
January 14th, 2015

Neograft healing time

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The healing time only takes a few days, but the swelling from the saline and local anesthesia may take 5-7 days to fully resolve.  It all depends upon where you're getting the hair grafts placed.  However, most of my patients are ready to return to work after a week.  

Thanks for your question!

Dr. Schreiber, Baltimore plastic surgeon

Learn more: http://www.chesapeakehair.com/photo-gallery/baltimore-hair-transplantation/

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS

Healing Process After FUE Hair Transplant

January 2nd, 2015
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Th healing process is the same after FUE hair transplant regardless of which machine or instruments are used. The patient has punch holes at the donor area and transplanted grafts at the recipient area. On average, the wounds and scabs are seen for 10-14 days at both sites. If the donor area is strong, the hair will have grown enough to cover the extraction areas or it may take an extra week. The recipient area will be camouflaged within the same period if existing hairs are present. If the recipient area is bald, then it may looks pink for up to 6 months. The little hairs that are from the transplanted grafts may stay there for a couple of weeks after surgery and disappear.
Ali Emre Karadeniz, MD

Ali Emre Karadeniz, MD
Turkey Plastic Surgeon
4.2 out of 5 stars 19 reviews

January 2nd, 2015

Healing Process After FUE Hair Transplant

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Th healing process is the same after FUE hair transplant regardless of which machine or instruments are used. The patient has punch holes at the donor area and transplanted grafts at the recipient area. On average, the wounds and scabs are seen for 10-14 days at both sites. If the donor area is strong, the hair will have grown enough to cover the extraction areas or it may take an extra week. The recipient area will be camouflaged within the same period if existing hairs are present. If the recipient area is bald, then it may looks pink for up to 6 months. The little hairs that are from the transplanted grafts may stay there for a couple of weeks after surgery and disappear.

Ali Emre Karadeniz, MD
Turkey Plastic Surgeon

NeoGraft healing process timeline

June 19th, 2017
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Overall, the recovery from a NeoGraft hair transplant is fairly straightforward.  

There will be some mild discomfort of both the donor area on the back of the head and the recipient areas for a few days after transplant.  Most patients will require pain medication for only 2-3 days.  Some swelling of the scalp, forehead, and area around the eyes is to be expected, and this is usually the worst around post-operative day #3.  There may be some associated bruising as well, but this is usually not an issue.  

My patients are given very specific instructions regarding shampoos and sprays to use on the scalp for the first two weeks after surgery.  A loose-fitting cap can be worn starting on the 3rd day after surgery, and this helps many patients get out and about without feeling self-conscious about their scalp.  Usually by 4-5 days after a hair transplant, patients feel comfortable going out in public.  I do ask that patients avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, straining, exercise, etc for 10-14 days after surgery in order to avoid losing any grafts.

Most patients do quite well and are back to all normal activities without any further restrictions within 2 weeks after surgery.

All the best,

Web reference: http://www.txfaces.com/hair-restoration-dallas/neograft/

Matthew Richardson, MD

Matthew Richardson, MD
Frisco Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 reviews

June 19th, 2017

NeoGraft healing process timeline

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Overall, the recovery from a NeoGraft hair transplant is fairly straightforward.  

There will be some mild discomfort of both the donor area on the back of the head and the recipient areas for a few days after transplant.  Most patients will require pain medication for only 2-3 days.  Some swelling of the scalp, forehead, and area around the eyes is to be expected, and this is usually the worst around post-operative day #3.  There may be some associated bruising as well, but this is usually not an issue.  

My patients are given very specific instructions regarding shampoos and sprays to use on the scalp for the first two weeks after surgery.  A loose-fitting cap can be worn starting on the 3rd day after surgery, and this helps many patients get out and about without feeling self-conscious about their scalp.  Usually by 4-5 days after a hair transplant, patients feel comfortable going out in public.  I do ask that patients avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, straining, exercise, etc for 10-14 days after surgery in order to avoid losing any grafts.

Most patients do quite well and are back to all normal activities without any further restrictions within 2 weeks after surgery.

All the best,

Learn more: http://www.txfaces.com/hair-restoration-dallas/neograft/

Matthew Richardson, MD

Matthew Richardson, MD
Frisco Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 reviews

Healing Process with NeoGraft

December 20th, 2016
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Downtime and healing are relatively minimal. The donor site and transplant site have some pinpoint scabs that typically flakes off within a few days. Using post-care products expedites the process.  Some patients comment on sensitivity for a few days, and depending on the recipient site, you can experience some mild swelling around the eyes.  In most cases, by 5-6 days you can hardly tell a procedure was performed in the area.

Vu Ho, MD
December 20th, 2016

Healing Process with NeoGraft

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Downtime and healing are relatively minimal. The donor site and transplant site have some pinpoint scabs that typically flakes off within a few days. Using post-care products expedites the process.  Some patients comment on sensitivity for a few days, and depending on the recipient site, you can experience some mild swelling around the eyes.  In most cases, by 5-6 days you can hardly tell a procedure was performed in the area.

Vu Ho, MD

Neograft Downtime

December 2nd, 2016
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Hi and thank you for your question! 

The Neograft procedure is very tolerable and the downtime is minimal, especially in comparison to other hair restoration methods.

The recovery time varies with each patient, but on average, the extraction sites will show scabs for at least one week. The recipient area may be noticeable on average for a week, as well. It depends where the procedure is done and how many grafts are involved. Post-op there is some swelling, mostly for the first few days. 

Generally speaking, the larger the session you are having, the more time off you will want to take. Most patients plan 7-10 days post-op to heal. The scabbing and  crusting will be gone by then.

Feel free to call our office for questions or a complementary consultation. 

Best, 

Dr. Grant Stevens

Web reference: http://www.marinaplasticsurgery.com/

Grant Stevens, MD
December 2nd, 2016

Neograft Downtime

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Hi and thank you for your question! 

The Neograft procedure is very tolerable and the downtime is minimal, especially in comparison to other hair restoration methods.

The recovery time varies with each patient, but on average, the extraction sites will show scabs for at least one week. The recipient area may be noticeable on average for a week, as well. It depends where the procedure is done and how many grafts are involved. Post-op there is some swelling, mostly for the first few days. 

Generally speaking, the larger the session you are having, the more time off you will want to take. Most patients plan 7-10 days post-op to heal. The scabbing and  crusting will be gone by then.

Feel free to call our office for questions or a complementary consultation. 

Best, 

Dr. Grant Stevens

Learn more: http://www.marinaplasticsurgery.com/

Grant Stevens, MD

Neograft healing

June 20th, 2016
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Timeline:

1. Swelling after neograft 2-5 days
2. Scabs for 7-10 days
3. Hidden donor area by 10 days
4. Time off from work 2-7 days

Web reference: http://www.annarborplasticsurgery.com/hair/fue-neograft.html

Pramit Malhotra, MD
June 20th, 2016

Neograft healing

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Timeline:

1. Swelling after neograft 2-5 days
2. Scabs for 7-10 days
3. Hidden donor area by 10 days
4. Time off from work 2-7 days

Learn more: http://www.annarborplasticsurgery.com/hair/fue-neograft.html

Pramit Malhotra, MD

Quick and typically painless recovery

April 6th, 2016
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the beauty of the FUE procedure such as Neograft or ARTAS is not only minimal pain during the procedure but also minimal recovery. Most if not all patients experience little or no pain. Swelling is also minimal . The scabs usually fall off a week after the procedure and people usually return to work at this point. Transplanted hair typically sheds and starts growing again in 3-4 months. Full growth may take up to 1 year.
If you are considering the procedure make sure it is done by an experienced center - please evaluate before after photos these are your best guide

Web reference: http://smarthairtransplant.com/

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS
April 6th, 2016

Quick and typically painless recovery

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
the beauty of the FUE procedure such as Neograft or ARTAS is not only minimal pain during the procedure but also minimal recovery. Most if not all patients experience little or no pain. Swelling is also minimal . The scabs usually fall off a week after the procedure and people usually return to work at this point. Transplanted hair typically sheds and starts growing again in 3-4 months. Full growth may take up to 1 year.
If you are considering the procedure make sure it is done by an experienced center - please evaluate before after photos these are your best guide

Learn more: http://smarthairtransplant.com/

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.