Many cosmetic treatments and procedures provide great-looking results that unfortunately fade or revert over time.
Botox and fillers need to be repeated every six months or so; body contouring and lifts often need to be repeated as time wears on.
Even the hair-enhancing effects of minoxidil and finasteride start to disappear as soon as you stop taking them.
Because of this, a lot of people considering hair transplant surgery wonder whether the results can be expected to last.
And with the rise of long hair transplants — the advanced FUE procedure of choice because of their high level of discretion — we get a lot of people asking:
Is long hair FUE surgery a permanent solution?
Long Hair FUE Transplants Provide Lasting Results
Long hair FUE — also known as No-Shave or Shave-Less FUE—is a revolutionary hair transplant procedure that leaves hair at its regular length throughout the process.
It is just as long-lasting and effective as regular FUE, providing permanent hair growth, high follicle viability, and very natural-looking results.
So, if you are a suitable candidate for a long hair FUE hair transplant, you can expect the results of your surgery to be permanent.
But what, exactly, does that mean?
It means that once your transplanted grafts take root and the hair starts growing in its new location, those hairs will continue to grow for a lifetime.
That information comes directly from the experts at Penn Medicine, so you don’t just have to take our word for it.
Why Long Hair Transplantation Is a Permanent Solution
But won’t the same factors that made the hair originally fall out cause the newly transplanted hair to fall out?
The answer is no.
Because the hair follicles are taken from parts of the head—usually the back and sides—that are naturally resistant to the factors that cause baldness, age and hormones won’t cause that hair to fall out.
That means you can expect the transplanted hair to keep growing there pretty much forever.
This is why we say long hair FUE is a permanent hair loss solution.
What About Shedding?
A natural part of any hair transplant process – both long hair and shaved – involves the hair shedding, or falling out of the transplanted grafts, 2-4 weeks after the surgery.
The hair then starts to grow back to produce your final, permanent results.
So is it worth having a long hair transplant if it’s just going to fall out before growing back?
The answer is yes, absolutely, for three reasons:
- First, because of the accuracy it allows.
The surgeon is able to place the hairs with absolute precision, because the hair is still visible, not shaved down.
The surgeon can see things like the hair’s thickness, arc, angle, and curl to place the follicles properly for the most aesthetically pleasing end result.
Natural-looking results depend not only on hair spacing and placement, but also on ensuring that the angle and arc of each hair match the surrounding hairs.
Long hair FUE simply produces the most natural and aesthetic results possible by allowing the surgeon to see .
- It lets you see what your hair transplant results will look like right after your surgery.
Surgeons often refer to long hair transplants as Preview Long Hair FUE because it lets you pre-view what the end results will be.
This helps patients know what to expect without guessing and waiting.
You usually have to wait 6 months to a year to see what your hair transplant will look like in the end, which can sometimes feel like the hardest part of a traditional transplant.
With long hair FUE, you get a good picture of your end results immediately, since the hair stays at its original length before it sheds.
- It still allows for superior concealment.
Even though the hair will shed in a few weeks, you get significant concealment from the longer hairs, for greater discretion and privacy while you’re healing,
Moreover, the hair follicles won’t all shed at exactly the same time, so the transition can appear more natural.
Long-hair FUE is just a better procedure all around, and many experts believe it is the future of hair transplantation.
Long-Term Maintenance: How To Keep Your Hair Thick After a Long Hair Transplant
Of course, any original hair in the area of the transplant will still be subject to the factors that cause hair loss.
For this reason, your doctor will recommend a special regimen of care tailored just for you after your hair restoration surgery.
Often, this long-term regimen will include using finasteride and/or minoxidil to stave off future thinning in vulnerable areas.
Care recommendations after a long hair transplant:
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen
- Don’t smoke—it restricts blood flow and harms hair follicles
- Protect your hair from excessive UV exposure by wearing a hat or sunscreen
- Use a gentle, nourishing shampoo and conditioner to keep hair strong
- Take any medications recommended by your regular doctor to control blood pressure, cholesterol and any autoimmune disorders
- Use finasteride and/or minoxidil if your hair loss surgeon recommends them
The good news is that your transplanted follicles will provide much-needed thickness, concealment and hairline density even if your hair does continue to thin around them.
And unlike older methods like FUT strip transplantation, long hair FUE does an excellent job of preserving your donor sites well in case you need them for a future hair transplant.
Want to Learn More About Achieving Permanent Results With a Long Hair Transplant?
North Atlanta Hair Restoration can help you get the permanent, natural-looking results you desire.
Our surgeon-led practice is helmed by Dr. Daniel A. Danyo, one of the leading hair restoration experts and a pioneer in cutting edge long-hair transplantation techniques.
He and his veteran team can help you realize your hair restoration goals and keep your hair for many years to come.
Call us at 678-679-0291 to set up a consultation or click here to book online today.
FAQ About Long Hair Transplants
Does a long hair transplant last as long as a regular FUE transplant?
Yes! Both long hair FUE and regular FUE provide permanent, natural-looking hair restoration results for patients.
Both procedures offer minimal downtime and discomfort with very minimal scarring.
The only real difference is that long hair FUE is a shave-less procedure that won’t require concealment while you wait for your shaved areas to grow out.
Who is a good candidate for long hair transplant surgery?
Good candidates for long hair FUE transplants include pretty much anyone who would be eligible for a traditional FUE procedure.
You mainly need to be in good enough health for outpatient surgery, have enough healthy hair at a good donor site for transplantation, and not have an autoimmune disorder that might prevent your transplanted hair from growing.
Who is qualified to perform a long hair transplant procedure?
According to the ISHRS, only a properly trained and licensed physician should perform hair restoration surgery, and that includes long hair transplant procedures.
Although some clinics offer hair restoration surgeries performed solely by surgical techs or physicians’ assistants, these procedures are not recommended, and they are illegal in some jurisdictions.
For the best and most long-lasting results, be sure to choose a qualified surgeon trained specifically in long hair FUE procedures and check out reviews and before-and-after pictures before you begin.
