When it comes to hair transplant surgery, entire follicles are removed from the donor site. Some of these follicles may produce hair again, while others may not. Fortunately, modern FUE hair transplant techniques allow for donor hairs to be removed from a large area of the scalp, so even if some follicles don't produce more hair, it won't be noticeable.
Generally speaking, a healthy scalp may show that hair grows back at the donor site within a few months. While some hairs may be lost temporarily (known as shock loss), the roots will remain and new healthy hairs will grow over time. This process can take up to 12 months or more.
It's important to attend follow-up appointments with your plastic surgeon to ensure that your scalp is healing well. Hair transplant surgery allows for healthy hair to be moved from one area of the scalp to another, resulting in natural-looking results. With FUE techniques, individual hairs are removed from the donor site, eliminating the need for large hair plugs.
When follicles are completely removed from the donor area, it's unlikely that they will grow back. To protect the hair you have, you may want to consider medications or other treatments recommended by a dermatologist. Donor sites commonly used for FUE procedures are located on the sides and back of the head, where growth is usually constant and robust.
Successful healing and growth may depend on the technique and knowledge of your hair transplant team. If you notice hair regrowth at the donor site after your procedure, it may not be a good sign. After follicles are grafted to areas where the hair is thinning, it takes time for the skin to heal.
Your hair transplant team will analyze the size of the follicles and density of the donor site before informing you about how many grafts can be removed. Visit the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons website for information on surgeons near you who perform hair transplants.
