One of the most common questions people have about hair transplants in general and Shave-Less FUE in particular is: How long can I expect my hair transplant results to last?
It’s an excellent question, since we all know that hair loss tends to progress over time, even after hair restoration surgery.
The answer is that the transplanted hairs, once they have rooted their new site, should continue to keep growing there indefinitely.
What that means is that the results of your FUE hair transplant procedure, whether you choose Shaved or Shave-less FUE, can be expected to last a lifetime.
So, Does a Shave-Less FUE Procedure Last Forever?
With a Shave-Less FUE hair transplant performed correctly by a qualified surgeon, the vast majority of transplanted follicular units should survive and take root at their new location.
These healthy follicles will grow to be healthy, natural-looking hair, and you can expect them to pretty much continue looking that same way for the rest of your life.
But wait, you may wonder — won’t the same factors that caused the thinning in the first place kill all the newly transplanted hair over time?
Not usually. What happens with FUE transplants is that the surgeon will choose donor sites that are largely immune to the factors that cause male pattern baldness.
The most common donor sites are on the back and sides of the head, although beard and body hair may be used, as well.
Since the back and sides of the head usually retain their hair even into your later years, the hair follicles harvested from there can be expected to do the same.
The same is true for beard and body hair—transplanted hair from there will likely persist for the rest of your lifetime.
Will I Need Another Hair Transplant Down the Line?
Whether and when you may need a second hair transplant will depend on individual factors like how your hair loss is progressing, what factors are causing it, how old you are when you have your transplant, and the look you want to achieve.
Since your existing, non-transplanted hair around the crown and hairline may continue to thin as you get older, you may want to have another transplant sometime down the line.
Keeping Your Options Open With FUE
The good news is that with a FUE hair transplant performed by a highly skilled practitioner, the donor site can be preserved very well — so it can be used for any future hair transplants.
Unlike with the old method of FUT (follicular unit transplantation), also known as strip transplantation, modern FUE methods leave minimal scarring and don’t result in large patches of removed hair.
That means you can retain a natural look at the donor site—even after more than one transplant—and achieve natural-looking thickness and growth at the crown and hairline.
Choose the Right Hair Transplant Surgeon
Working with a hair loss expert who specializes in helping patients achieve long-term hair retention goals is very important if you’re facing hair loss.
A good hair loss surgeon can:
- Accurately assess the causes and extent of your hair loss
- Recommend the best treatments for you now, and down the line
- Work with you to achieve thicker, fuller-looking hair with a minimum of discomfort
- Plan your hair transplant so it looks natural, both now and as your hair thins naturally over time
- Preserve your donor sites — no overharvesting — so you have good future transplant options
If you’re talking to a hair transplant provider, be sure to ask questions about what you can expect, how well the donor site will be preserved, and how they can help you ensure your results will last.
Expertise You Can Trust
Daniel A. Danyo, MD, MBA is one of less than 250 doctors who hold the title of Diplomate from the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery, the only recognized certification for hair restoration surgery.
He and his team at North Atlanta Hair Restoration are highly skilled at performing Shave-Less FUE hair transplants, and they have the experience to ensure you get the results you want – and help you keep your hair for many years to come.
Schedule a consultation today by calling us at 678-845-7521, or click here to book online – we offer both in-person and virtual consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shave-Less FUE
Do traditional FUE hair transplants last longer than Shave-Less FUE?
No, they’re basically the same. You can expect the results from Shave-Less FUE to last just as long as a shaved FUE procedure.
Although Shave-Less FUE is a more advanced procedure that requires specialized skill to perform, overall follicle viability and long-term results should be very similar.
The biggest difference between the two lies in the discretion of Shave-less FUE—you just won’t have to shave parts of your head when you have it done.
Is Shave-Less FUE painful?
The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel anything at all.
Post-op recovery is usually fairly smooth and painless, too.
One patient we talked to recently after his Shave-Less FUE procedure said he was feeling well, with no pain or discomfort, and working from home just “like a normal day.” He washed his hair in the morning and had no post-op questions or concerns at all.
Am I a good candidate for the Shave-Less FUE procedure?
Determining if you are a good candidate for the Shave-Less FUE procedure depends on several factors related to your hair type, hair loss pattern, and overall health.
Speaking with a qualified medical professional is the first step in answering this question.
