Many patients worry about experiencing pain during a hair transplant. This anxiety may cause you to delay hair transplant surgery. We know that hair loss can be a harrowing experience. Luckily, the solution doesn’t have to be distressing.
If you are holding off on getting a hair transplant out of fear of the pain, you’ll be delighted to hear that the procedure is relatively pain-free.
If you’re wondering, ‘Is a hair transplant painful?’, read further to learn more about pain management, recovery and the surgical processes involved in a hair transplant procedure.
Schedule an online consultation for a comprehensive assessment, or contact our hair transplant clinic in Glasgow today.
Reviewed by Dr Epameinondas Bonaros
A common question that arises is, ‘How painful is hair transplant surgery?’. You’ll be happy to hear that hair transplant patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure.
Most hair transplant surgeries make use of local anaesthesia during the procedure, allowing you to stay awake. While all surgical procedures involve some discomfort, hair transplant pain is relatively minimal.
An experienced surgeon will ensure you feel comfortable. So, if you feel pain more intensely than others, you can speak to your surgeon to find a solution that works best for you.
While hair transplantation procedures involve very little pain during the operation itself, most patients will experience slight discomfort or pain after the hair transplant. Don’t panic if you start to feel pain after the initial local anaesthetic injections wear off.
During a hair transplant procedure, patients typically experience minimal pain, primarily associated with specific stages.
Initially, some discomfort may occur during the administration of local anaesthetic injections. This part of the process is crucial for ensuring a pain-free experience during subsequent steps.
It’s essential for patients to communicate with their doctors if the anaesthesia starts to wear off during the extraction and placement stages, allowing for a top-up to maintain comfort. Hair transplant procedures should generally not be associated with continuous pain beyond the anaesthetic injections.
Reports of ongoing pain throughout the procedure often indicate a substandard clinic where inexperienced doctors or unqualified technicians might be performing the surgery unlawfully.
You may experience some mild pain in the form of inflammation or swelling — particularly in the recipient and donor sites. Some common hair transplant side effects include itching, scabbed scalp tissue and visible redness.
However, within four to ten days of the surgical procedure, these effects should subside significantly and then completely disappear.
Ultimately, following the proper aftercare instructions provided by your hair transplant surgeon is the best way to get a faster recovery time and avoid long-term pain.
Aside from following your doctor’s advice and taking any prescription medicine, the helpful tips below also aid the recovery process:
Overall, the pain after recovery will be managed effectively if you follow your surgeon’s recommendations carefully and patiently.
There are two main types of hair transplants that you should be familiar with before you book an appointment with your local hair transplant clinic. You can opt for the FUT or FUE procedure.
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) involves:
A follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplantation involves:
In an FUE procedure, minimal scarring is expected. The scar will appear as a small dot on the scalp rather than a line, which is usually undetectable, even with short hair.
The Follicular Unit Extraction method is often considered less invasive than FUT. The recovery process may also be shorter than in FUT.
There are many reasons patients decide to get hair transplant operations. Whether it be a general loss of hair or a medical condition,here are some of the most common reasons for getting a hair transplant.
Androgenetic alopecia, known commonly as pattern hair loss, is a genetic disorder that occurs due to androgens. This results in hair shrinkage and loss.
This condition is found in both men and women, though men most commonly see the effects in the frontotemporal regions, while women are most affected in the frontal, central and parietal regions.
Uneven hair loss is a common characteristic of male pattern baldness that causes the hairline to recede asymmetrically.
However, uneven hair loss could also be the result of traction alopecia caused by certain hairstyles that pull on specific regions of the scalp — like tight ponytails.
There are a few crucial factors experienced surgeons will take into account before recommending hair transplantation for most patients.
Determining the cause of your hair loss is crucial before even considering a hair transplant. While there are numerous potential reasons for hair loss, not all cases are suitable for surgical intervention.
Read MoreTo get the best results from a hair transplantation, the stability of the hair loss needs to be evaluated. Medical therapy might need to be administered first to stabilise your condition.
As many hair loss conditions are degenerative, it is best practice to wait until the age of 25 before having a surgical intervention for hair loss. Having a procedure too early could result in multiple procedures.
Read MoreThere are several benefits to receiving a hair transplant procedure. Here are a few key benefits to keep in mind.
A hair transplant can increase confidence and overall self-esteem by providing a fuller head of hair and a more youthful appearance. Hair transplants help to relieve any insecurities about balding or general loss of hair.
Patients report that the new hair after a hair transplant gives them a new level of confidence that improves their daily life.
While there are other methods for dealing with loss of hair, these methods often require regular maintenance, leading to increased recurring costs. Other solutions, such as wigs, weaves, or spray-on hair, might seem like a quick fix, but they need constant upkeep.
A hair transplant is a one-time cost, meaning you won’t have to pay to keep it maintained every few months. While it may initially be more expensive than simply buying a wig, it may be far more cost-effective in the long run.
A hair transplant is a natural way to solve baldness or loss of hair. Solutions like spray-on hair often involve using harsh chemicals that may further exacerbate hair damage. However, hair transplants use the natural hair from your own head, meaning there is no need for external chemicals.
Additionally, wigs and hair pieces may not match your hair exactly. Since a hair transplant makes use of yo
Now that you know the answer to the question ‘Is hair transplant surgery painful?’, read our answers to some additional common queries.
If you’re wondering, ‘Is a hair transplant painful with the FUE technique?’, you’ll be glad to hear that an FUE hair transplant typically involves minimal pain. With the use of local anaesthesia, your scalp will be numbed throughout the entire procedure.
The FUE method also causes less discomfort during recovery than the FUT method. However, neither method will cause extreme pain after the local anaesthetic has worn off.
A beard transplant is very similar to a regular hair transplant. The main differences between a beard transplant and a hair transplant are the size of the grafts and where the transplanted hair is inserted.
Learn more about beard restoration
Once again, using a local anaesthetic helps relieve any pain during the surgery itself. The anaesthetic injections on the face may cause discomfort. After that, you will experience minimal pain during your beard transplant.
If you’re experiencing hair thinning, contact Dr Bonaros to find a solution. Our clinic offers personalised treatment plans at cost-effective rates to ensure you get the most out of your hair transplant.
Dr Bonaros’ hair transplant clinic offers a wide variety of hair restoration services. From treating male-pattern baldness to body-hair transplants, we provide personalised plans to ensure you have the most comfortable and reliable experience possible.
Our customer-centric approach means that we are committed to prioritising your overall well-being throughout the entire process. We aim to provide a confidence-boosting procedure that is sure to increase your quality of life.
Dr Bonaros is Scotland’s sole member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, so you can rest assured knowing you’re in capable hands.
If you’re still wondering, ‘Are hair transplants painful?’, get in touch with Dr Bonaros to discuss your concerns. Get a quote using our online assessment form to see how we can help with your hair transplant journey.