DHI results develop over 12 to 18 months. Transplanted hairs shed during weeks 2-4 (shock loss), new growth begins around month 3-4, and final density is reached between month 12 and 18. Graft survival rates of 90-95% mean the vast majority of implanted follicles produce permanent, natural-looking hair.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
The DHI Growth Timeline
Understanding the full timeline prevents unnecessary anxiety during the months when visible progress is slow or when the transplanted area temporarily looks thinner than before surgery.
Month-by-Month Progress
| Month | What Happens | Visual Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Month 0 (surgery day) | Grafts implanted | Recipient area red with tiny marks |
| Week 1-2 | Healing, scabs form and fall off | Pink skin, stubble from implanted hairs |
| Week 2-4 | Shock loss begins | Transplanted hairs shedding, area looks thinner |
| Month 2-3 | Dormant phase | Similar to pre-surgery appearance |
| Month 3-4 | Early growth | Fine, thin hairs emerging (10-20% of grafts) |
| Month 5-6 | Growth accelerates | 40-60% of grafts visible, hairs thickening |
| Month 7-8 | Noticeable improvement | 70-80% density, hair can be styled |
| Month 9-10 | Significant density | 80-90% of final result |
| Month 12-18 | Final results | Full density, mature hair texture |
Shock Loss: The Temporary Setback
What Shock Loss Is
Between weeks 2 and 4 after DHI, 80-100% of the transplanted hairs fall out. This is shock loss, and despite how alarming it looks, it is a normal biological response. The follicles are alive beneath the skin. They have entered the telogen (resting) phase because the trauma of being extracted and reimplanted triggers a reset in the hair growth cycle.
What Shock Loss Is Not
Shock loss is not graft failure. The follicles are intact and functional. They are simply pausing before beginning to produce a new hair shaft. This pause lasts approximately 2-3 months before the follicle re-enters the anagen (growth) phase.
Native Hair Shock Loss
Some patients also experience temporary shedding of existing native hair near the transplanted area. This is called sympathetic shock loss and occurs because the tissue trauma from implantation can temporarily disrupt nearby follicles. In most cases, these native hairs regrow within 3-6 months.
Early Growth Phase (Months 3-6)
What Early Growth Looks Like
The first new hairs from transplanted follicles appear around month 3-4. They emerge as fine, thin strands that are often lighter in color than your natural hair. The characteristics of early growth:
- Texture: Finer and softer than mature hair
- Color: May be lighter or slightly different from your natural shade
- Growth pattern: Uneven, with some areas showing progress before others
- Direction: May initially grow slightly differently than expected (this corrects as the hair matures)
Growth Is Not Uniform
Some grafts begin producing hair at month 3 while others do not start until month 5 or 6. This uneven growth is normal and does not indicate a problem. Different follicles recover from the transplant at different rates based on their individual biology.
Month 6 Assessment
By month 6, approximately 60% of transplanted grafts are producing visible hair. The hairline or treated area shows clear improvement compared to the dormant phase at month 2-3, but the result is still far from final. Hair thickness and density continue improving significantly through month 12.
Maturation Phase (Months 6-12)
Density Increases
This is the most rewarding phase for patients. Hair density improves noticeably each month as more follicles enter active growth and existing new hairs thicken.
| Period | Approximate Density | Hair Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Month 6-7 | 60-70% of final | Noticeable but thin |
| Month 8-9 | 75-85% of final | Approaching normal thickness |
| Month 10-11 | 85-90% of final | Normal texture and color |
| Month 12+ | 90-100% of final | Fully mature hair |
Hair Texture Changes
Transplanted hair often goes through a texture evolution during months 6-12:
- Hair that will ultimately be straight may have a slight curl initially
- Curly or wavy hair may grow straighter at first and develop its natural pattern by month 8-12
- Color normalizes, matching your natural shade
- Individual hair shaft diameter increases, contributing to the perception of greater density
Final Results (Month 12-18)
What Final DHI Results Look Like
At 12-18 months, the transplanted hair has fully matured. With a 90-95% graft survival rate, a 2,500-graft DHI session results in approximately 2,250-2,375 surviving follicles producing permanent hair.
Final result characteristics:
- Hairline: Soft, irregular front edge with single-hair grafts creating a natural transition
- Density: Increased coverage in the treated area, though it may not match the density of untouched areas with no hair loss
- Natural direction: Hair grows in the direction set by the surgeon during implantation
- Permanence: Transplanted hair is genetically resistant to DHT and will not thin from androgenetic alopecia
Realistic Density Expectations
A single DHI session does not replicate the density of hair that was never affected by loss. Natural scalp density is approximately 100-150 follicular units per square centimeter. A hair transplant achieves approximately 25-50 follicular units per square centimeter in the transplanted area per session, creating visible coverage but not the original density.
For patients who want greater density, a second DHI session can be performed 12-18 months after the first, adding more grafts between the existing transplanted follicles.
Factors That Affect DHI Results
Surgeon Skill
The surgeon's technique in setting graft angle, depth, spacing, and hairline design is the single largest factor affecting how natural and dense the result looks. Outcomes vary significantly between surgeons.
Hair Characteristics
| Characteristic | Effect on Results |
|---|---|
| Thick hair shafts | Better visual coverage per graft |
| Curly/wavy hair | Creates more volume and coverage than straight hair |
| Dark hair on light skin | Higher contrast, transplant progress more visible |
| Light hair on light skin | Lower contrast, blends more easily during growth |
| Fine hair | Less coverage per graft, may need more grafts for similar visual effect |
Patient Compliance
Following aftercare instructions directly affects graft survival. Patients who protect their grafts during the first 10 days, avoid smoking and alcohol, and take prescribed medications see the best survival rates.
Supporting Treatments
Many surgeons recommend complementing DHI with finasteride (1mg daily) and/or minoxidil (5% twice daily) to protect existing native hair from continued thinning. These medications do not affect the transplanted hair but can prevent the surrounding native hair from receding further, maintaining a cohesive overall appearance.
When Results May Fall Short
DHI results can be disappointing if:
- The surgeon lacked experience with Choi pen technique
- Graft count was insufficient for the area being treated
- The patient had unrealistic expectations about achievable density
- Aftercare instructions were not followed properly
- The patient's hair loss progressed after the procedure, thinning native hair around the transplant
For more detail on healing and what to expect physically during recovery, see the DHI recovery timeline. To understand the financial investment, visit the DHI cost breakdown.
FAQ
When will I see final results after DHI?
Final DHI results are visible at 12-18 months post-procedure. New growth starts around month 3-4 with fine, thin hairs. By month 6-8, noticeable density improvement is apparent. By month 10-12, approximately 90% of final density is present. The last 10% fills in between months 12-18 as hairs reach full thickness and maturity.
What is the graft survival rate for DHI?
DHI graft survival rates are 90-95% when performed by an experienced surgeon with a trained team. This means that out of 2,000 implanted grafts, approximately 1,800-1,900 will successfully produce permanent hair. Survival rates depend on surgeon technique, graft handling, and patient compliance with aftercare instructions.
Does DHI look natural?
DHI produces natural-looking results when performed by a skilled surgeon. The Choi Implanter Pen allows precise control over the angle, depth, and direction of each graft, which is particularly important at the hairline. Single-hair grafts placed at acute angles along the front edge create the soft, irregular pattern found in natural hairlines. The result is hair that grows in a natural direction and blends seamlessly with existing hair.
Wondering what your DHI results could look like based on your specific hair loss pattern? Get a free AI hairline analysis at myhairline.ai/analyze to see your Norwood level and personalized graft estimate in under 60 seconds.