Hair transplants are becoming increasingly normalized, but most people who get one still prefer not to shout it from the rooftops. Fair enough! It’s completely understandable to want to keep some things private.
However, sometimes the fear of being found out can be a reason to procrastinate.
Over the years, our team has seen thousands of people through their hair transplant journey. Here are some handy tips and tricks we’ve discovered on how to have a hair transplant without anyone knowing.
Choose the method wisely
First of all, it’s good to be aware that there are two hair transplant techniques on the market – Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT).
FUT is the older, less refined and cheaper technique. It involves cutting out a strip of skin on the back of the head. This strip will then be divided into individual follicles, which are transplanted to the treatment area. A long scar will be visible under short hair on the back of the head.
Sound gnarly? We think so too.
The good news is that modern-day FUE hair transplants look completely natural and leave no scarring. In an FUE hair transplant, hair follicles are extracted individually with a tiny punch tool, leaving no scars. For obvious reasons, this takes more time than FUT, but the method is much gentler on the scalp.
When done by a quality provider, nobody will be able to tell you’ve had an FUE hair transplant – they might just ask you if you’ve changed your haircut!
Know what to expect during recovery
While the results of a quality FUE hair transplant are undetectable, the early recovery period does give a fair few hints that you’ve done something to your head.
That being said, the recovery from an FUE micro-transplant is much faster than with old-school hair transplant methods.
Many of our clients like to take some time off (usually a week or so) post-procedure to rest and heal, but others decide they’re not bothered and return to work as quickly as two days later.
The first few days of recovering from a hair transplant come with visible effects. These include:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Scabbing
Following all the post-op care instructions helps speed up the recovery. Usually, these effects are significantly reduced within the first six days and disappear within 1-2 weeks. However, everyone is different, and some redness may remain for up to three months – this is completely normal. If needed, we offer LED light treatment to ease the redness.
So, if you want to make sure nobody sees you until significant healing has occurred, it might be a good idea to book your hair transplant at the start of a 1-2 week holiday.
Additional tips for hair transplant disguise
Over the years, our team has come to know a few tips and tricks that can be used to minimize the risk of unwanted comments on your procedure. Here’s how to ensure people don’t notice you’ve had a hair transplant:
Phase into a shorter haircut
If you have longer hair now, phase into a short haircut leading up to your hair transplant procedure. This way, the change won’t attract so much attention!
The donor area will need to be shaved down to about 0.5 for procedure day, but the hair on top of the head can stay longer.
Grow a beard
This is a simple yet genius idea. Sometimes people can notice that something is different about you, but they just can’t put their finger on what it is. Grow a beard for your hair transplant day and it’s all anyone will notice!
Want to know more about hair transplants?
A free hair transplant consultation allows you to ask any questions you have from a Gro Hair Growth Specialist. They’ll be able to offer you individualized advice specific to your circumstances and needs. Book your free consultation online or in-clinic today.
