A lot of people across the world are experiencing hair loss, every other man aged 30 to 50, to be precise, and they are all looking into different treatment options. The most proven method so far has been hair transplant surgery, with an incredible success rate of up to 98%, and many are considering it but just aren’t sure about all the details.
The big question is: “How long does the operation take?”
Well, that depends on several factors, and we will go over the entire process to give you a reasonable estimate and explore some of the things that can influence it.
Did you know?
According to the 2025 ISHRS Practice Census, the average number of grafts used in a first hair transplant session is 2,347, highlighting just how extensive and personalized these procedures have become. With modern techniques like FUE and DHI, most patients only need one procedure to achieve their desired result.
Hair Transplant Procedure Timeline (Step-by-Step)
Pre-Consultation (1 hour)
The doctor looks at the patient’s scalp to see the extent of male or female pattern baldness, determine if they are a good candidate, and decide on the best method to use. The patient hears all the options and can choose the one that fits their budget.
Pre-Op Preparation (30 minutes – 1 hour)
On the day of the operation, the assistants will shave the patient’s head and inject a local anaesthetic into the scalp, as well as prepare all the surgical instruments.
Graft Extraction (2–4 hours)
During the initial stage of the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure, the hair transplant surgeon will use a micro-punch tool to remove hair follicles one by one from the donor area. Each graft contains one to four individual hairs.
Graft Implantation (2–4 hours)
The surgeon will now proceed to make tiny incisions in the recipient area using a specialized blade, either steel or Sapphire-tipped. The hair grafting process involves carefully placing each donor follicle in the pre-made cuts in the scalp and can take a while, as there are usually a few thousand grafts.
Post-Op Instructions and Discharge (30 minutes)
In the end, the patient receives clear instructions on aftercare to eliminate the risk of infection and ensure the best possible outcome, and is then sent home.
What Affects the Duration of Hair Transplant Surgery?
The typical modern hair restoration procedure itself can take anywhere between 4 and 8 hours, and is affected by different factors, including the:
- Number of grafts required: Quite simply, the more grafts needed, the longer it will take.
- Type of hair transplant: FUT is generally faster than FUE, and DHI is the slowest.
- Surgeon’s experience: A skilled doctor and a well-practiced team will be far more efficient.
The type of hair a patient has and potential issues can also significantly affect the operation. Here is a quick rundown of how all the different characteristics can prolong the surgery:
Characteristic | Complication | Added Time |
Curly Hair | Follicles are curved under the skin, making extraction and graft preparation slower. | +1–2 hours |
Low Density | Takes more time to find and extract viable grafts from a broader area. | +30–60 minutes |
Tight or Inelastic Scalp | Makes strip removal (FUT) and wound closure harder; increases tension and surgical complexity. | +30–90 minutes (mainly FUT procedures) |
Thick Scalp Tissue | Harder to penetrate during extraction (especially in FUE); slows down punch insertion and increases tool fatigue. | +40–60 minutes |
Of course, it’s always best to schedule a consultation and have the professionals at the clinic evaluate your specific case.
When Will My Hair Transplant Look Normal?
It will take some time for your scalp to heal and the follicles to go through all their regular phases, but you can expect a considerable amount of new hair growth within 6 to 8 months. The final results will be visible around 12 months after your hair transplant in Turkey.
If you have chosen a reputable clinic like Asli Tarcan, you can look forward to completely natural-looking results and can continue your normal routine and treat it just like your regular hair.
FAQs
How many hours does a hair transplant procedure take from start to finish?
It takes around 6 to 10 hours in total, from the initial consultation to the discharge, depending on all the factors we’ve mentioned above.
Is one hair transplant session enough?
For those experiencing more severe hair loss, requiring 6000+ grafts, it may take two separate sessions. This is to ensure that the team stays fully focused.
Can I return to work the next day after surgery?
You will need at least five days to heal enough from a standard FUE hair transplant to where you can return to your regular routine, and up to 14 days for all the scabs that form to fall out naturally and the new hair to take root and strengthen.
When can I expect to see full results?
The transplanted hair will go through a shedding phase around a month after the operation, and it will look a bit patchy for another few months after that. It takes time for all the follicles to reach the growing stage again and the hair to thicken and darken. For most patients, the final results are visible about a year after the surgery.
How long should I wait before a second transplant (if needed)?
If you feel the need for another procedure, you should wait at least a full year to give the initial donor hair time to fully heal and grow out.