Six months after a hair transplant is the halfway point of your growth journey, and it is the stage that creates the most anxiety. You can see new hair growing, but coverage feels incomplete. This is completely normal. At 6 months, you are looking at 40 to 60% of your final result in the best areas and as little as 25 to 40% in slower zones like the crown.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified hair loss specialist before making any treatment decisions.
What 6-Month Density Looks Like
The 6-month mark sits right in the middle of the growth timeline. Enough hairs have emerged to confirm the transplant is working, but not enough have matured to provide the coverage you are expecting. Here is a zone-by-zone breakdown:
| Transplant Zone | Density at 6 Months | Hair Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal hairline | 40 to 60% of final | Thin, growing, some texture variation |
| Mid-scalp | 35 to 55% of final | Mix of new and maturing hairs |
| Crown/vertex | 25 to 40% of final | Earliest hairs just emerging |
| Temples | 40 to 55% of final | Small area, visible progress |
These percentages are relative to your final expected density, not to a full head of hair. A patient who received 2,000 grafts with 90 to 95% survival should have approximately 900 to 1,200 visible hairs at the 6-month mark (roughly half of their surviving grafts producing visible hair at this point).
The 6-Month Growth Spectrum
Not all patients progress at the same rate. There is a wide spectrum of normal at 6 months:
Fast Responders (Top 20%)
Some patients show 60 to 70% of their final density at month 6. These individuals tend to have strong blood flow to the scalp, do not smoke, follow post-operative care instructions carefully, and may be using supportive medications like finasteride or minoxidil. If you are in this category, your result will likely be excellent.
Average Responders (Middle 60%)
Most patients fall into this range, showing 40 to 55% of final density at month 6. New hairs are clearly visible but thin, and coverage is patchy. This is the most common experience and it is exactly where you should expect to be. Significant improvement continues through months 7 to 12.
Slow Responders (Bottom 20%)
Some patients show only 25 to 35% of final density at month 6. This does not mean the transplant has failed. Slow responders often catch up by month 12 to 14 and achieve equivalent final results to faster responders. The growth timeline is simply extended.
How to Evaluate Your Progress at 6 Months
Monthly Photo Tracking
The most reliable way to assess 6-month progress is through monthly photos taken under consistent conditions. Same lighting, same angles, same hair length. Place your month 3, month 4, month 5, and month 6 photos side by side. You should see a clear upward trend in visible hair count and hair thickness.
What to Look For
Positive signs at 6 months include:
- New hairs growing throughout the transplanted zone (even if thin)
- Hair shafts gradually thickening compared to earlier months
- Reduced scalp visibility in areas with the highest graft density
- Some early hairs reaching a length that allows for basic styling
What Is Concerning
Consult your surgeon if you observe:
- No new growth at all in a significant portion of the transplanted area
- Growth in some areas but complete absence in others (suggesting localized graft failure)
- Signs of ongoing infection, inflammation, or unusual scarring
- Significant loss of existing native hair beyond the initial shock loss period
Factors That Influence 6-Month Density
Graft Count and Distribution
Higher graft counts in a given area produce faster visible coverage simply because there are more follicles contributing. A zone that received 50 grafts per cm2 will look fuller at 6 months than a zone that received 30 grafts per cm2, even with the same growth rate per follicle.
Medication Support
Patients using finasteride (80 to 90% halt further loss) typically see better 6-month results because their native hair is not simultaneously thinning. Minoxidil (40 to 60% moderate regrowth) may also speed the transition of transplanted follicles from telogen to anagen, though this effect is not conclusively proven. See our crown vs hairline growth comparison for more on zone-specific timing.
Blood Supply and Healing
Scalp blood supply varies between individuals and between zones. The frontal scalp has richer vascularization than the crown, which is why hairline grafts grow faster. Patients with conditions that reduce circulation (diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular issues) may see slower 6-month results.
Hair Characteristics
Thicker individual hair shafts provide more visual coverage per follicle. A patient with coarse, dark hair will perceive more coverage at 6 months than a patient with fine, light hair, even if the actual number of growing follicles is identical.
The Emotional Reality of Month 6
84% of dissatisfied transplant patients cite unmet expectations as their primary concern. Month 6 is when the gap between expectations and current appearance feels widest. You have been waiting half a year, you can see some results, but it does not match the after photos you studied before surgery.
This is the most important time to remember that hair transplant results are a slow process. The difference between month 6 and month 12 is typically dramatic, with density roughly doubling in many zones during that second half-year period.
Practical steps to manage this period:
- Continue taking progress photos monthly
- Review your surgeon's timeline predictions from your consultation
- Avoid comparing your 6-month result to other patients' 12-month results online
- Stay consistent with any prescribed medications
- Consider PRP therapy ($500 to $2,000 per session) if recommended by your surgeon
What Comes Next: Months 7 to 12
The second half of your first year is when the most satisfying visual changes occur. Between months 7 and 12:
- Hair shaft diameter increases significantly, adding visual density
- Late-starting follicles begin producing visible hair
- Crown grafts enter their primary growth phase
- Hair length reaches a point where styling becomes possible
- The gap between transplanted and native hair narrows
For detailed coverage expectations at the one-year mark, read about what to expect at 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I see results after hair transplant?
Initial growth appears between months 3 and 4 as fine, thin hairs. At 6 months, you should see 40 to 60% of your final density in the hairline zone and 25 to 40% in the crown. Results continue improving significantly through month 12, with final maturation at month 18.
Is shock loss after hair transplant normal?
Shock loss is entirely normal and expected. Transplanted hairs fall out within the first 2 to 6 weeks as follicles enter a resting phase. This does not mean grafts have failed. New hair growth from these same follicles begins around month 3 to 4.
How do I know if my hair transplant is working?
At 6 months, you should see new hairs growing in the transplanted area, even if they are thin and sparse. If you compare photos from month 3 to month 6, there should be a visible increase in the number and thickness of new hairs. Zero growth at 6 months warrants a surgeon consultation.
Wondering what Norwood stage your hair loss fits? Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze for a free AI-powered hairline assessment to understand your starting point.