Do I need to cut my hair for a Hair Transplant?

Hello,
Hair transplants in the recipient area with either the FUE or FUT procedure should NOT require you to "buzz" or cut the hair you have in this region (ie. the hair on the top). The portion of the procedure where the sites are made and grafts are placed within the recipient region (areas of thinning/balding) can be placed without shaving/trimming the "native" (non-transplanted) hairs that surround these sites. Many clinics require this of patients so that the procedure can be completed more efficiently, however, this is not a prerequisite for surgery. For example, at our practice, we educate patients on this and take great consideration as to how they would like to conceal the fact that they underwent surgical hair restoration. As far as the donor region, the FUE procedure requires (most of the time) the patient to buzz/trim their hair on the sides and the back of the head to allow the physician to analyze the angle of exit of the hair follicle to appropriately obtain the graft. With FUT, only the strip of skin with optimal hair follicles that is to be removed needs to be buzzed/trimmed with clippers and the hair above and below that incision can remain normal length. This allows this normal length hair to conceal the sutures in the immediate post-operative period and further conceal the resulting, thin linear scar.

Women should consider pursuing an FUT hair transplant so that minimal shaving is required. The thin band where the hair is shaved is easily hidden. With FUE, a large portion of the scalp is often shaved which results in significant volume loss. Often women would need to wait years to regrow their hair with FUE. With FUT, minimal shaving is needed, resulting in minimal volume change, and the coverage results are superior due to the higher graft quality of an FUT procedure. Nearly all my female patients will elect to use FUT for their hair transplants.

You won't need to buzz your head for the hair transplant procedure if you get the procedure done by a skilled practitioner who uses the Dr.UGraft Zeus system, specifically designed for long hair Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). This technique doesn't involve any shaving or trimming. By obtaining long-shafted grafts for implantation, you leave the procedure table with an immediate preview of the final results.

This approach minimizes downtime, as the long-shafted grafts reduce the visibility of scabbing and redness in the recipient area. Moreover, the donor area remains untouched, further decreasing downtime. The Dr.UGraft Zeus system incorporates intuitive punch technologies for long-hair FUE.

Long-hair FUE is especially suitable for individuals seeking discretion in their hair transplant journey, allowing you to return to your normal activities without noticeable changes.

Good morning from Washington DC!
This is a great question and wrongfully scares many women away from getting a transplant that would benefit them. For the majority of women who keep their hair longer, my recommendation is to get an FUT hair transplant. This is where a strip is removed from the back of the scalp and the skin edges are meticulously closed together. On the day of transplant, I only shave that strip of hair that is removed. The rest of the hair is left long so that right after closure is complete, we flip your longer hair over that incision. The back of your scalp literally will look the same before and after the procedure on the same day. For your hairline procedure, I do not need to shave the rest of your scalp.
I hope this helps! Wishing you all the best,Dr. SitaparaChevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery

It's not always required to shave your head for a hair transplant. Depending on the severity and areas being treated. Consult with your dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer