Most hair transplant recovery is straightforward, and the majority of symptoms patients worry about are normal parts of the healing process. However, certain signs at specific points in the timeline require prompt communication with your surgeon. Knowing the difference between expected recovery symptoms and genuine warning signs prevents both unnecessary anxiety and delayed treatment of real complications.
Week 1: Immediate Post-Op Warning Signs
The first week carries the highest risk for acute complications. Contact your surgeon immediately if you experience any of the following:
| Warning Sign | Why It Matters | How Urgent |
|---|---|---|
| Bleeding that does not stop with 10 minutes of gentle pressure | May indicate a vessel that needs cauterization | Same day |
| Fever above 38C/100.4F after the first 48 hours | Possible systemic infection | Same day |
| Increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or pus at graft sites | Signs of localized infection | Within 24 hours |
| Severe pain that worsens after day 3 | Post-op pain should decrease daily, not increase | Within 24 hours |
| Swelling that spreads below the eyes to the cheeks or neck | While forehead swelling is normal, lower facial swelling is uncommon | Within 24 hours |
| Foul smell from the donor or recipient area | Possible infection or necrosis | Same day |
| Numbness extending beyond the scalp to the face | May indicate nerve involvement | Within 24 hours |
What is normal during week 1: Forehead swelling (peaks days 2-3), mild oozing from graft sites (first 24 hours), scalp numbness, mild to moderate pain managed by prescribed medication, and itching as healing begins. For a complete day-by-day breakdown, see the week 1 post-op guide.
Weeks 2-6: Healing and Shock Loss Phase
The most common concern during this phase is shock loss, which is almost always normal. However, contact your surgeon if you experience:
Folliculitis (infected follicles): Small red bumps with white heads that appear at graft sites, usually around weeks 3 to 6. Mild cases resolve with warm compresses and gentle cleaning. Contact your surgeon if bumps are painful, numerous (more than 10 to 15 at once), or producing pus.
Cysts at graft sites: Occasionally, grafts become embedded under the skin and form small cysts. These feel like firm bumps beneath the surface. Most resolve on their own within weeks. Contact your surgeon if they are painful, growing larger, or persist beyond 8 weeks.
Suture complications (FUT patients): If FUT sutures or staples show signs of pulling through the skin, if the incision line opens, or if there is discharge from the donor scar, contact your surgeon promptly.
Extensive native hair loss beyond the surgical zone: Shock loss near the transplant zone is normal. Hair loss in areas far from the surgery site (e.g., the sides or back of the head) may indicate a systemic cause and should be evaluated. See our guide on shock loss normal vs abnormal signs for more detail.
Months 3-6: Early Growth Concerns
During this period, patients often worry that growth is too slow or nonexistent. Here is when to contact your surgeon vs when to wait:
Contact your surgeon if:
- You see absolutely zero new growth at month 5 (not even fine, wispy hairs)
- You notice a localized patch within the transplanted zone that is completely barren while surrounding areas show growth
- Persistent scalp redness, tenderness, or bumps that have not resolved since surgery
- New onset of rapid native hair shedding (beyond the shock loss window)
Wait and monitor if:
- Growth is present but sparse at month 4 (this is normal; 20-30% activation at month 4 is expected)
- Growth is uneven or patchy (different follicles activate at different times through month 9)
- Transplanted hairs are a different texture or color than native hair (this normalizes by months 9-12)
Months 6-12: Growth and Density Assessment
By month 6, your surgeon typically schedules a follow-up to photograph and assess progress. Between follow-up appointments, contact your surgeon if:
Growth has stalled: If you see no improvement between month 6 and month 9 photos (density looks the same or worse), this warrants evaluation.
Significant density asymmetry: One side of the transplanted area is notably thicker than the other, with a clear boundary between dense and sparse zones.
Donor area complications: Persistent numbness, pain, or visible scarring beyond expected norms in the donor zone. For FUE, dot scars should be fading and barely visible. For FUT, the linear scar should be a thin line that is easy to conceal.
Continued native hair loss: If native hair is thinning noticeably despite medication use, your treatment plan may need adjustment. This does not mean the transplant failed but indicates that native hair preservation requires additional intervention.
How to Communicate With Your Surgeon
When contacting your surgeon about a concern:
- Take clear photos of the area in question, including close-up and wide-angle views
- Note the timeline: when the symptom started, whether it is getting better or worse, and what phase of recovery you are in
- List your current medications and whether you have been consistent with them
- Describe any changes in routine, health, or stress levels since surgery
Most clinics have a dedicated post-op support line or email for questions that do not require an in-person visit. Many concerns can be addressed through photo review without a clinic visit.
Track your recovery objectively with standardized photo analysis at myhairline.ai/analyze. Data-driven progress tracking helps you and your surgeon make informed decisions.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always contact your surgeon directly for any post-operative concerns or symptoms.
FAQ
When will I see results after hair transplant?
New growth appears between months 3 and 4, with the most dramatic changes during months 6 to 9. If you see zero new growth by month 5, contact your surgeon for evaluation. Final results take 12 to 18 months to fully mature.
Is shock loss after hair transplant normal?
Shock loss between weeks 2 and 6 is normal and affects 50 to 70% of patients. Contact your surgeon only if shedding extends well beyond the transplant zone, is accompanied by pain or discharge, or continues with no signs of regrowth by month 5.
How do I know if my hair transplant is working?
Track recovery with standardized photos at months 1, 3, 6, and 9. If you see progressively more hair at each checkpoint, the transplant is working. Contact your surgeon if there is no visible growth by month 5, or if growth stalls between months 6 and 9 with no density improvement.