DHI recovery takes 7 to 10 days before most patients resume daily activities and desk work. The Choi Implanter Pen creates smaller implantation sites than traditional slit incisions, which contributes to slightly faster surface healing. Full results develop over 12 to 18 months as transplanted follicles complete their growth cycle.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Recovery Overview
| Milestone | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Swelling peaks | Day 2-4 |
| Scabs form | Day 2-5 |
| Scabs fall off | Day 7-10 |
| Return to desk work | Day 7-10 |
| Donor area healed | Day 7-10 |
| Transplanted hair sheds | Week 2-4 |
| Light exercise resumes | Week 2 |
| Full exercise resumes | Week 4 |
| New growth begins | Month 3-4 |
| Noticeable density | Month 6-8 |
| Final results | Month 12-18 |
Days 1-3: Immediate Recovery
Day 1
You leave the clinic the same day with the transplanted area exposed (no bandage over the grafts). The recipient zone appears red with hundreds of tiny implantation marks. Each mark has a hair graft sitting just below the surface. The donor area has small circular extraction wounds, typically covered with a light bandage.
What to expect:
- Mild to moderate swelling in the recipient area, particularly around the forehead and temples
- Tightness in the donor area from extraction sites
- Minimal pain (1-2 out of 10 with prescribed medication)
- Small amounts of blood or fluid on your pillow during sleep
Sleep elevated at 45 degrees using pillows or a recliner. This position reduces swelling. Use the special travel or neck pillow provided by the clinic to avoid rolling onto the transplant area.
Day 2-3
Swelling increases and may migrate from the forehead down toward the eyebrows and upper eyelids. This is normal and not a sign of a problem. Applying cold compresses above the eyebrows (not on the grafts) helps manage swelling.
Tiny scabs begin forming around each implantation site in the recipient area. These scabs are part of normal healing and protect the grafts underneath. Do not touch, pick at, or scratch these scabs.
The donor area feels tender but is healing rapidly. The tiny circular extraction wounds begin closing.
Days 4-7: Scabbing Phase
Day 4-5
Swelling begins receding. Scabs in the recipient area are fully formed and visible. They appear as small, dark crusts at each graft site. The scalp may feel tight and itchy as healing progresses.
Your clinic will instruct you to begin gentle washing around day 3-5. The typical washing protocol involves:
- Applying a prescribed lotion or saline spray to soften scabs (let it sit for 15-30 minutes)
- Using lukewarm water with light patting motions
- Applying a prescribed gentle shampoo with your fingertips using no pressure
- Rinsing with a cup of water poured gently over the scalp (no direct shower stream)
Day 5-7
Scabs begin loosening and falling off during gentle washing. Do not force any scab off. They release naturally as the underlying tissue heals. The recipient area transitions from dark, crusted appearance to pink, smooth skin as scabs detach.
The donor area is mostly healed by day 7. The tiny extraction points have closed, and any remaining redness is minimal. Hair in the donor area begins regrowing over the extraction sites.
Days 7-10: Return to Normal Activities
Most patients return to desk work between day 7 and 10. The visible signs at this stage include:
- Light pink or red skin in the recipient area where scabs have fallen off
- Short stubble from transplanted hairs still in place (before shedding)
- Minimal signs in the donor area
A loose hat covers remaining visible signs effectively. Direct sun exposure should still be avoided on the recipient area.
Washing Transition
By day 10, you can typically resume normal (gentle) hair washing with regular shampoo. The shower stream can now flow over the scalp, though vigorous rubbing or scrubbing should wait until week 3-4.
Weeks 2-4: The Shedding Phase
Shock Loss (Weeks 2-4)
The transplanted hairs begin falling out. This is called shock loss, and it happens to 80-100% of transplanted hairs. It is completely normal and expected.
The follicles are alive and healthy beneath the surface. They have entered the telogen (resting) phase as a response to being transplanted. The old hair shaft is shed, and the follicle will begin producing a new hair from scratch around month 3-4.
Patients who do not understand this phase often worry the procedure failed. It has not. Shedding is a necessary step in the follicle's transition to its new location.
Donor Area
The donor area is fully healed by week 2-3. The tiny dot scars from extraction are hidden by surrounding hair at 3mm or longer. Numbness in the donor zone resolves within 2-4 weeks for most patients.
Months 2-3: The Waiting Period
The recipient area looks similar to its pre-surgery state (or slightly thinner if surrounding native hairs experienced sympathetic shedding). Nothing appears to be happening on the surface, but the transplanted follicles are building new hair shafts beneath the skin.
This is the most psychologically challenging phase. Patience is essential. The follicles are following their biological timeline.
Activity Resumption
| Activity | When to Resume |
|---|---|
| Desk work | Day 7-10 |
| Light exercise (walking, yoga) | Week 2 |
| Moderate exercise (cycling, light weights) | Week 3 |
| Full gym workouts | Week 4 |
| Swimming (pool or ocean) | Week 4-6 |
| Contact sports | Week 6-8 |
| Direct sun exposure without hat | Week 4-6 (with sunscreen) |
Months 3-6: Early Growth
New hairs begin emerging around month 3 to 4. Early growth characteristics include:
| Month | Growth Percentage | Hair Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Month 3 | 10-20% of grafts showing | Very fine, thin, light-colored |
| Month 4 | 20-40% visible | Still fine, gaining pigment |
| Month 5 | 40-60% visible | Thickening noticeably |
| Month 6 | 60-80% visible | Approaching normal texture |
Growth is uneven. Some areas show progress earlier than others. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with specific grafts.
What Early Growth Looks Like
The first hairs emerge as thin, wispy strands that may be lighter in color than your natural hair. Over the following months, these hairs thicken, darken, and develop their mature texture. Curly or wavy hair may initially grow straighter and develop its natural curl pattern over 6-12 months.
Months 6-12: Significant Improvement
This is when DHI results become genuinely visible. By month 8, approximately 80% of final density is present. The transplanted hairs have matured enough to be styled normally, and the hairline or treated area shows clear improvement compared to pre-surgery.
Month 8-10 Checkpoint
Most clinics schedule a follow-up at month 8-10 to assess progress. At this point:
- The hairline looks natural with properly angled single-hair grafts along the front edge
- Density behind the hairline is filling in
- The donor area shows no visible signs of extraction
- The hair can be cut, styled, and treated like normal hair
Month 12-18: Final Results
Full DHI results arrive between month 12 and 18. Graft survival rates for DHI are 90 to 95%, meaning the vast majority of implanted follicles are producing healthy, permanent hair.
The transplanted hair grows, is cut, and regrows naturally because it retains the genetic characteristics of the DHT-resistant donor area. Regular haircuts and styling proceed normally.
For a complete walkthrough of the DHI procedure itself, see the DHI procedure walkthrough. To understand what your final results will look like, visit the DHI results guide.
FAQ
How long is DHI recovery?
DHI surface recovery takes 7-10 days, after which most patients return to work and normal activities. Scabs fall off within 7-10 days, and redness fades within 2-4 weeks. The full growth cycle takes 12-18 months, with new hair first appearing around month 3-4 and final density reached by month 12-18.
When do transplanted hairs start growing after DHI?
New growth from transplanted follicles begins around month 3-4 after DHI. Before that, the transplanted hairs shed during weeks 2-4 (shock loss), and the follicles enter a resting phase. Early growth appears as fine, thin hairs that gradually thicken. Noticeable density improvement is typically visible by month 6-8, with full results at month 12-18.
What should I avoid during DHI recovery?
During the first 7-10 days after DHI, avoid touching or scratching the recipient area, sleeping face-down, strenuous exercise, direct sun exposure, swimming, alcohol, and smoking. Do not wear tight hats that press on grafts for at least 7 days. Avoid hair fibers and styling products on the transplant area for 3 weeks. Follow your surgeon's specific aftercare instructions.
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