After the FUT hair transplant, the hair of the donor area grows naturally. For a Follicular Unit Extraction, the surgeon makes micro punches in the donor area to directly and fully extract the hair follicles. New hair will come out in the donor site only if there are healthy hair follicles present.
The donor sites commonly used for FUE hair transplant procedures are at the sides and back of the head, where growth is usually consistent and strong. The hair in these areas is most resistant to shedding, so it is also able to grow back from where it was taken.
It takes about two weeks for the donor area to heal. After surgery, a bandage is placed on the donor area. When removed, you will notice small spots on the skin. The healing process will not take long, as the hair grows all post-operative signs will disappear and you will restore the natural aesthetic appearance.
In the donor area, Shock Loss is caused by the detachment of the blood capillaries that connect the follicular units when they are harvested. This micro-tear can create a shock to the surrounding hair, resulting in reactive hair loss.
The donor zone of the scalp refers to the area that contains hair roots that are permanent or resistant to DHT. The significance of this area lies in the fact that if hair roots are extracted from here, the results will be permanent, which is the main advantage of hair transplant surgery.
By the 10-year mark, transplanted hairs remain while some surrounding non-transplanted hairs might thin, potentially affecting overall look and density.
The immediate post-operative period is critical for donor area healing. Here are some key practices to follow during these first few days, as outlined in our donor area recovery guide: Minimize Pressure: Avoid touching or placing pressure on the donor area.
In particular, the "donor area" scar will begin to fade (become less visible) between 6 months and 2 years after the transplant - although it will probably never disappear completely. It is simply part of that hair restoration procedure's physical aftermath.
Hair from the pubic area is typically coarser and sometimes used for transplant purposes. Given its texture, it may be suitable for specific regions of the scalp where coarser hair is needed. However, it is not commonly used due to the sensitive nature of the donor area.
Experiencing hair loss two years after a hair transplant can be disheartening, but various factors can contribute to this outcome. Poor surgical technique, inadequate blood supply, infections, pre-existing medical conditions, and lack of proper post-operative care can all play a role.
A person has an overharvested donor area when too many hair follicles have been extracted from the donor area on the back and sides of the head. The main giveaway of an overharvested donor site is patchy hair growth on the back and sides of the head after the initial recovery period.
The scabs in the donor area typically heal and fall off within the first week or two. That's why we always give patients a 10-14 day initial recovery period.
Candidates with healthy hair on the sides and back of the scalp are ideal candidates for hair transplants. The healthy hair follicles from these donor areas can be transplanted onto the scalp. 3.
If your donor area does not contain enough healthy, strong follicles to extract, it can complicate the hair transplant. Possible complications are not being able to extract as many grafts as are needed or the follicles are too weak and do not withstand the trauma of transplantation, dying off once transferred.
Generally, a patient cannot experience pattern baldness again after hair transplant surgery. This is due to the nature of the harvested hair follicles, which are unlikely to fall out since they are taken from the back and sides of the head. However, it is possible for the transplanted hair to thin over time.
A: For general thinning with existing follicles, DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) might be ideal due to its precision and natural-looking results. For severe thinning or partial baldness, FUE (Follicular Unit Excision) could be more appropriate as it's effective for larger areas.
While it is technically possible to extract any body hair, most surgeons will only transplant hair from the chest and abdomen, or potentially the beard. This is because these areas produce hair that most closely emulates the properties of the hair on your scalp, resulting in a more natural appearance.
The donor area does not grow back. However, when the extraction of the grafts is properly performed, the removal of part of the hair is completely imperceptible. Therefore, it is very important to use an experienced surgeon and to remove the donor area in a well-thought-out manner.
Electrolysis and laser hair removal can remove pubic hair long-term, however, there is a higher cost and discomfort to consider. Ultimately, how you choose to groom your pubic hair is your decision based on personal preferences, aesthetics, cleanliness, and comfort.
Once healed, the skin graft donor area will look red, purple or pink initially as it has a rich blood supply and it lacks skin pigment. It can take up to two years for the skin graft donor area to fade and return to a more normal colour.
It is common to have more pain in the donor area than the recipient area after the operation. Some patients also report soreness in the donor area on the second healing week, this is completely normal as the tissue is recovering. Post-op hair transplant pain can be relieved with over the counter pain killers.
The best donor areas are those that are located on the sides and back of the scalp, as these areas are typically resistant to DHT androgen, which can cause hair loss in other parts of the scalp.
You can have beverages with caffeine inside even on the day of surgery. But we advise avoiding it on the day of surgery because caffeine can cause some dilation of blood vessels that may lead to more bleeding. You can start having tea or coffee safely the next day after the surgery.
Take care of your sleep position:
Avoid direct pressure on the donor area or transplanted grafts. Find a comfortable sleeping posture. Follow the surgeon's instructions on sleep positions. Avoid direct face-down pillow sleeping.
A: Each day following the hair restoration, the transplanted grafts become more fixed in the scalp and the hairs in the grafts become more dissociated (loose). At nine days post-op, the grafts are fixed firmly in the scalp – it has essentially become part of the scalp in the new area and can't be dislodged.