Hair transplants allow you to restore your youthful and full hairstyle. You can fix thinning areas and get rid of baldness. In the process, you bring back your confidence and can enjoy having a hairstyle you love.
Most people try to educate themselves on the surgery before they arrange a consultation. In particular, any want to know whether a manual FUE hair transplant hurts. It is normal to question whether this surgery is painful. After all, you are going through surgery. Here is a guide to understand what to expect.
The Surgery
First, it is essential to talk about the surgery. Many people worry about this part and get nervous about any pain that might be involved. After all, you are not under a general anesthetic. But, you should not worry about this surgery because you are given a local anesthetic. There is also something else you should know. Manual punch FUE technique – the safest method of hair extraction. It is as simple as that. This should give you some comfort, and you can know that you have chosen the best procedure for restoring natural hair and reversing baldness.
When given a local anesthetic, you are awake for the surgery. However, you are not going to feel pain. The injections will mean that the nerves cannot send signals to your brain, which disrupts the feeling of pain. Instead, the area is numb, and you can stay comfortable during the procedure. While you can feel pressure, patients report that this is manageable and they are not in any discomfort.
Therefore, while it can be scary that you are awake for the surgery, you will not feel any pain. Instead, you can distract yourself from the process if you do not want to know what is happening. Most surgeons are accommodating and make sure you are as comfortable as possible for the surgery.
The First Two Weeks
Generally, it is said that the first two weeks after a manual FUE hair transplant are when side effects present themselves. This is natural after undergoing surgery, and you can expect there to be some swelling. Often, this is on the scalp, as you would expect from the hair grafts. But, some people will also experience it on their forehead and around the eyes. The level of swelling can vary from person to person. There can be some discomfort and pressure from this swelling, which can be located on the scalp and it can be around the eyes and forehead. Again, everyone is different and how they experience the swelling. However, it is going to reduce and come down naturally.
The first two weeks should be about relaxation. You want to give your body time to unwind and recover from the surgery. Therefore, you should hit pause on any exercise in those first two weeks and anything that can raise your blood pressure. Thus, keep your stress levels low and take time off work if you have a fast-paced job. You will go through a period called shock loss where you lose hair. This is a natural response and not something that will not hurt. But, it is something to be aware of, as it can cause distress when you do not know what is happening.
The First Couple of Months
Most side effects will subside within the first month. This means the swelling will reduce, and any discomfort you feel on the donor and recipient areas will be minimal. Therefore, in the first couple of months, you will notice that you are starting to feel yourself again. You might still be going through shock loss, but you will start to see some growth after this has passed. This is when you know you have got through the worst of it.
After around three months, you can return to your normal exercise. Just make sure you check this with your surgeon if you want to be careful and ensure you do not affect the hair follicles in any way. Walking is often a safe option if you are still worried about raising your blood pressure too much. Again, surgeons will let you know the best time to return to your normal schedule if you like to lift weights, go running or enjoy other strenuous exercises. It can give you peace of mind when you hear expert advice.
Most people get excited about their hair transplant as the months go by. Indeed, there is no longer any discomfort; it is all about waiting for the results. Know that a hair transplant does require patience. The results will come in gradually, and most patients will be able to see the full results within one year. Everybody is slightly different in their timeline. But, this is when surgeons say that most people appreciate their new hair transformation.
