Most people interested in getting a hair transplant resort to scouring the internet looking for before and after photos and reviews. But one subject that isn't discussed enough is pain. I'm sure that a few articles that discuss post-op pain to some degree but consider this your one-stop-shop for everything pain-related to hair transplantation.
Are Hair Transplants Painful?
The question of 'are hair transplants painful' is subjective. What may be painful to you may not be painful to someone else and vice versa. Everyone's pain threshold is different. Modern-day hair restoration is designed to keep the patient as comfortable as possible, and this includes limiting any pain that you may feel.
In a recent poll on a popular hair loss forum called the hair restoration network, 31.8 percent reported that their hair transplant procedures weren't painful at all. 50 percent reported that their procedures were painful at times. Only 18 percent said that their procedures were painful. The most painful aspect of the surgery for many is the initial injection of local anesthesia. The local anesthesia helps numb the scalp, so you don't feel anything during the harvesting and implantation. However, the initial needle can be painful, but it varies from person to person.
Some patients report minor discomfort from sitting or lying in the same position for a prolonged period of time. Hair transplant surgery can last for several hours, sometimes for over 12 hours. It can be uncomfortable to be in the same position without moving. However, most surgeons provide patients with muscle relaxers or anxiety medication to calm and relax the patient during the hair transplant. Aside from minor discomfort and the initial anesthesia injection, the procedure is relatively painless for most patients.
Post-Op Pain
Your donor may be painful for the first two weeks after surgery. With Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), several nerve endings are repairing. For some, the sensation can feel similar to a sunburn or sensitive to the touch. You can use aloe vera to soothe the donor area after having an FUE. You can also massage the scalp, which will keep you from growing ingrown hairs, which can be painful in itself.
Immediately after having a hair transplant, you have to sleep at a 45-degree angle. Sleeping in this position can be uncomfortable for some, but you only have to sleep in that angle for the first week. Afterward, you can resume sleeping normally. Hair transplants heal extremely quickly. By the first week, the grafts are mostly secured, and the scabs should be healed.
Conclusion
Pain is subjective; for some hair transplants are painless, most patients feel slight pain at times during their surgery. Very few people consider their hair transplants painful. Remember, as a patient. You have to speak up and let your physician know if you're feeling uncomfortable or feeling any pain. Most hair transplant surgeons want to make their patients feel as comfortable as possible, and you may need to take a few breaks to stretch your legs, or you may need some additional anesthesia to numb your scalp. There is no reason to have to deal with any discomfort in modern-day hair restoration. To consult with the world's best and most elite hair transplant surgeons chosen and voted best by actual patients, click HERE.