Hair Transplant After 4 Months: What To Expect

After having a hair transplant, you’ll see scabbing and redness in the recipient area. After 2 weeks, your scalp will become less irritated, and the transplanted hair in the recipient area will start to fall out. This natural shedding process continues until around the two-to-three-month mark when the first new hairs will begin to grow through your scalp. At 4 months after a hair transplant, you can expect some new hairs to start growing. The growth will initially be patchy and thin.

In this article, we will cover what to expect four months after your hair transplant.

At the 4 month mark after your hair transplant, you can expect your transplanted hair to start growing. Don’t expect it to be at a length and thickness for you to be able to style that may take a little longer

Dr Vara, Hair Transplant Surgeon and Director at The Treatment Rooms London

What to expect 4 months after a hair transplant

It is natural to see the implanted hairs shed in the first 3 months following surgery. So, when you look in the mirror four months after a hair transplant, what can you expect to see? 

At the 4-month mark, you should have begun to notice new hairs emerge. You are still over eight months from seeing the final result of your hair transplant, and these new hairs are still immature.  

As such, don’t be alarmed if the recipient area still looks patchy. And don’t worry if these new hairs are thin and almost transparent in their appearance. It will take a few more months for your hair to become longer, stronger, and darker. There will also be more growth from implanted follicles under the skin, which are taking a bit longer to restart after the shedding phase.

What happens to the hair follicles that haven’t grown after 4 months?

It is normal for your transplant hair to shed following surgery. Follicles that are transplanted enter a resting phase known as telogen, which is part of the hair growth cycle. During this telogen phase, the hairs become disconnected from the hair follicles and remain at rest for about 3 months before falling out. Your new hair is being formed at the hair follicles throughout this telogen phase. This will mark the beginning of your hair growth.

You can see this process in action in the video below:

While noticeable hair growth may not be visible by month 4, rest assured that new hair is forming under the skin and will eventually be visible as new growth in the coming months.

Itchy scalp 4 months after hair transplant

People who have a hair transplant typically experience itchiness and irritation during the 2-4 weeks following the procedure.

Around month 4, you may still feel hair transplant side effects, such as an itchy scalp. Try not to scratch or rub an itchy scalp, as this can increase irritation. You may find taking an anti-histamine or applying aloe vera gel to the area can help soothe the itchiness.

If you are still having problems with itching, you should notify your clinic, and your Surgeon should be able to advise accordingly.

4 months after hair transplant

If you haven’t seen any new hair growth by the four-month stage, don’t panic. Each person’s new hair grows differently following a hair transplant. Hair growth rates following a hair transplant can be affected by several factors, including the location of the transplant site and the hair transplant technique used.

It can take between three and six months for your new hair to emerge. This will depend on how long your hair’s resting (telogen) phase lasts. Once your old hair has been shed, the new hairs which have already formed at the follicles will start to penetrate through your scalp.

Can you speed up hair growth?

If your new hair is not growing as fast as you would like, remember – patience is the key. But there are also ways to speed up recovery and hair growth. 

Here are some tips:

• The proper nutrition – eating a balanced diet with protein and carbohydrates can aid hair growth. Biotin, which is integral in the production of the hair protein keratin, is found in meat and egg products. 

• Massage – after 2 weeks, your scalp will have recovered sufficiently for you to receive a gentle head massage with oils to nourish and hydrate.

• Strengthening shampoos – consider using shampoos or supplements that may help maintain hair follicles, such as argan oil shampoo and biotin tablets. 

What to expect after the 4^th month of hair transplant recovery 

While progress might seem slow, by month 4, you are not far from seeing hair growth. From month 6, you will often notice a significant growth spurt, as your hair gets not only longer but also stronger and thicker. Once you reach a year to 12-18 months after your hair transplant, you can expect to see the final result.

For more information about the recovery process, please read our in-depth guide, ‘Hair Transplant Timeline: What To Expect’.

Our hair transplant recovery and aftercare service includes a personalised aftercare package containing everything you need to help you on your road to recovery. If you have any questions, contact The Treatment Rooms London to book a consultation.