While the recovery time after a hair transplant procedure varies from patient to patient, there may be visible evidence that a transplant has taken place. However, this depends on the type of hair transplant that you have. For example, after the follicular unit transplantations (FUTs), patients will leave the office with only small staples at the donor area, which should not be visible under the hair.

So when is the best time to return to work following a hair transplant procedure? The answer is largely personal, but it may also depend on what type of job you have and how well you follow post-op recovery instructions.

Who Knows About the Transplant?

For patients who have been open with coworkers, friends, and family about their search for the right hair restoration procedure, returning to work after a transplant could be an exciting experience. It’s a chance to show off the results, to teach others who might be interested in the procedure, and to return as quickly as possible to everyday life. Recovery for these patients can be a visible, open process.

Conversely, some patients may not want their hair restoration to be so public. In this case, a longer, out-of-work recovery period may be needed, to allow the small scabs on the top of the scalp to heal more thoroughly. This could take anywhere from two to seven days or longer. However, we find that when the post-operative instructions are followed, 95% of our patients have the small scabs washed off by the end of seven days.

Can You Get Away With Hiding It?

Patients that are unable to wear a hat to work, and that are hoping to keep their hair transplant a secret, may find it a challenge to return to work before one week. However, if wearing a hat is permitted and safe on the job, the patient could return as early as two days after the procedure while still concealing any evidence of a hair transplant.

To help speed up recovery time and return to work more quickly, it’s important to know what to expect following a transplant and how to promote fast, healthy healing. Again, if all instructions are followed properly, 95 percent of patients at DiStefano Hair Restoration Center have the small scabs washed off their head by the end of seven days.

Be sure to discuss what recovery steps are right for you with your doctor. To get more information about different transplantation options in the New England area, give DiStefano Hair Restoration Center a call at (401) 736-8989 or fill out our contact form.