How Long Is the Recovery Period for Incisional Hair Transplant? Pain, Cost, Reviews, and Shampoo Timing, All in One Place

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It does not fall under the review 대상 under Article 56(2) and Article 57 of the Medical Service Act,

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Hello,

I am Director Seung Eun-kyung

of Cheongdam OK Clinic.

▶ Full member of the Korean Academy of Aesthetic Plastic and Laser Medicine
▶ Full member of the Korean Laser, Skin and Hair Society
▶ Full member of the Korean Obesity Research Physicians Association
▶ Full member of the Korean Fillers Society
▶ Full member of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Surgery

When I first conduct consultations,

I often hear questions like:

“From when will it no longer be noticeable?”,

“When can I shampoo?”

Especially with the incisional method, many people worry

more because they have often heard that recovery takes

longer than with the non-incisional method.

In reality, rather than simply taking a long time, it is much more accurate to understand that the recovery points are divided by stage.

Today, I will calmly organize the recovery period after incisional hair transplantation, pain, cost,

and even the timing of shampooing.

Table of contents
1. Incisional hair transplant recovery period, viewed by stage 2. How much pain is there? 3. Why cost differences occur 4. Shampoo timing and key points mentioned in real reviews

1. Incisional hair transplant recovery period, viewed by stage

Incisional hair transplantation is a method in which a portion of the occipital scalp is incised to harvest hair follicles.

Incisional hair transplant

Because suturing is involved in this process, recovery progresses in stages.

For about 3 to 5 days immediately after surgery, you may feel pulling and stiffness, and stitches are usually removed around 7 days later.

The period when appearance is most concerning is usually around 2 weeks, and at that time scabs and redness gradually subside.

After about a month, it often becomes much less noticeable in daily life,

Incisional hair transplant

and from 3 to 4 months later, as the transplanted hairs grow again, the changes begin to become visible.

2. How much pain is there?

Many people are also curious about pain. During the surgery, local anesthesia is applied, so there is usually not much discomfort.

However, after surgery, due to the nature of the incision site, a pulling sensation or scalp tightness may continue for several days.

In particular, some people feel discomfort when tilting their head back or lying in a position that presses on the area while sleeping.

Left) Before, Right) 3 weeks after 3500 grafts

For most people, the discomfort is manageable within the prescribed painkillers, and it gradually eases over time.

What many people actually mention is not the pain itself, but

Left) Before, Right) Immediately after the procedure

that “the pulling sensation lasts longer than expected,” which is a natural part of the recovery process at the incision site.

3. Why cost differences occur

The cost of incisional hair transplantation is not determined solely by the number of grafts.

Left) Before, Right) 2 weeks after 3500 grafts

Differences arise depending on the number of follicles transplanted, scalp condition, incision range, suturing method, and more.

In particular, because the incisional method includes both the harvesting process and the suturing process, differences in outcomes can easily occur depending on the level of skill.

Even with the same 3,000 graft transplant, satisfaction with the result can vary depending on the design, density placement, and graft survival rate management, so

rather than simply comparing prices, it is important to also look at the 기준 by which the surgery is performed.

4. Shampoo timing and key points mentioned in real reviews

Shampooing usually begins carefully, following the clinic’s instructions, starting the day after surgery or two days later.

Around 10 days later, scabs naturally fall off, and ordinary cleansing becomes gradually possible.

A common point repeatedly mentioned in reviews is that “early care is more important than expected.”

Forcibly removing scabs or rubbing strongly can affect graft survival, so you need to be especially careful during the first 2 weeks.

Incisional hair transplantation is not a procedure that simply takes a long time to recover from; rather, it is one where it is important to understand and manage the changes by stage.

This is also the part we explain most often in the clinic.

Rather than feeling anxious, understanding “which stage you are in now” is a big help during the recovery process.

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