The hair transplant process: from the day of surgery to the final result

Knowing how a hair transplant unfolds, hour by hour and then month by month, helps you approach it calmly and plan properly. Many worries stem from the unknown: pain, how you will look in the first few days, the shedding of the transplanted hairs a few weeks later, the time before you see a result. This page describes the weeks of preparation, the day of the procedure, the first few days, aftercare and washing, the healing of the scabs, temporary shedding, and then regrowth over the months up to the final result. It also gives practical guidance on organisation, work, sport and the signs that should prompt you to call the team, as well as price benchmarks in Switzerland, expressed as differences compared with Geneva.

A hair transplant is carried out in a single day under local anaesthesia: arrival, hairline design, shaving if required, anaesthesia, harvesting, graft preparation, incisions, implantation, then dressing. In the first few days, slight swelling of the forehead and small scabs are common. The first wash is often done the next day or the day after, following a precise protocol. The scabs fall off within ten to fifteen days. Between the second and eighth week, the transplanted hairs fall out: this is normal, as the root stays in place. New hairs start to appear from the third or fourth month; the hair takes shape between six and nine months and reaches its final appearance between one year and eighteen months. Detailed budget: hair transplant price in Switzerland. Techniques: hair transplant.

Preparation begins several weeks before the procedure. The doctor checks your health, current treatments and any allergies, and may request a blood test. Certain blood-thinning medications, as well as some supplements, sometimes need to be suspended, always on medical advice. It is advisable to stop smoking at least two weeks before and after, to limit alcohol in the preceding week and to avoid very short haircuts just beforehand, unless the team advises otherwise. If you are taking medical treatment for hair loss, the team will tell you whether to continue it or pause it temporarily. It is also useful to plan the following days: time off work, transport, childcare, button-up clothing.

A few weeks before the procedure, a consultation is held to prepare for the day. The doctor reviews the diagnosis, examines the donor area and the area to be treated, confirms the number of grafts and the technique, draws a proposed frontal hairline and explains how the day and recovery will proceed. They specify which medications to take or avoid, the preparation, the care products and the follow-up schedule. A detailed quote and a consent form are provided so that the patient can read them at leisure before committing. This is the time to ask all your questions.

• What time does the day start and finish?
• Who performs the harvesting, the incisions and the implantation?
• Is shaving necessary, and which area?
• How many patients are operated on the same day?
• Who does the first wash, and when?
• Which care products are provided?
• What follow-up appointments are planned, and are they included?
• Who should I contact with a question in the evening or at the weekend?

The consent form describes the procedure, its aftermath, its risks and its limitations. It is signed after a period of reflection, before the day of the procedure or at the latest that morning, after a final discussion.

Standardised photos are taken before the procedure from several angles. They will serve as a reference for measuring the result at follow-up appointments. Our page on before and after photos explains how to interpret them.

Never stop a prescribed treatment without the agreement of the doctor who prescribed it. The transplant team coordinates with them if necessary.

Certain health conditions affect recovery after a hair transplant. Poorly controlled diabetes slows healing and increases the risk of infection. Blood-thinning treatments increase bleeding; they must never be stopped without medical advice, but the team can adapt the protocol. High blood pressure must be checked before the procedure. Scalp conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis must be stabilised before the transplant, as they can hinder healing. Finally, smoking reduces the blood supply to the grafts. Informing the team about your health allows preparation and follow-up to be tailored.

A healthy scalp, free from inflammation, promotes good healing and good graft survival. Prior treatment may be offered in case of oily dandruff, itching or redness.

Recovery is similar at all adult ages. In older people, healing may be slightly slower, and particular attention is paid to current treatments.

A balanced diet rich in protein, iron and vitamins supports healing and regrowth. Good hydration is also helpful in the first few days.

The day before, it is advisable to wash your hair, not to apply styling products, to get a good night's sleep and to prepare your things: loose button-up clothing, documents, glasses, a charger, something to keep you occupied.

It is best not to drive after the procedure, because of the anaesthesia and fatigue. It is useful to arrange for someone to accompany you or a taxi.

Recovery varies according to the harvesting technique. After individual extraction, the donor area has many small red dots that heal within a few days; it is shaved, which makes the transplant visible for a few weeks until the hair grows back. Discomfort there is generally moderate. After a strip, the donor area is closed with sutures; it may feel tight and tender for a few days, sometimes numb for longer, but it is hidden by the hair. The stitches are removed after ten to fourteen days. After an unshaven transplant, discretion is maximal from the first few days, with long hair concealing the treated areas.

To stay discreet, it helps to schedule the transplant before a holiday period, to wear a loose-fitting hat after a few days and, for long hair, to choose an unshaven technique or the strip method.

In women, the transplant is often unshaven, which makes discretion easier. Temporary shedding of original hair around the grafted areas may be more pronounced; it resolves within a few months.

To get through recovery comfortably, it helps to plan a few days off, to prepare care products, a travel pillow, button-up clothing, simple meals and things to keep you occupied in advance. It is also useful to note the key dates: first wash, stitch removal, follow-up appointments. Warning those around you about how you will look in the first few days avoids surprises.

In the first few days, it is wise to make sure young children or pets do not bump your head.

Recovery after a beard or eyebrow transplant follows the same main stages, with a few particularities. The face sometimes swells more in the first few days. Small scabs form around the grafts and fall off within seven to ten days. You should avoid shaving the grafted area for several weeks, not rub your face and avoid make-up on the treated areas. The transplanted hairs also fall out a few weeks later, then grow back from the third month. Transplanted eyebrows, taken from scalp hair, grow longer than natural eyebrows and must be trimmed regularly. Our page on beard transplants covers these procedures in detail.

The first shave of the grafted area is often done with scissors or clippers after a few weeks, then with a razor once the skin has fully healed.

Transplanted eyebrows keep the growth pattern of scalp hair. They must be trimmed regularly to maintain a natural shape.

The day starts early, often around 8 am. After you arrive, the doctor reviews the plan with you, answers any final questions and has you sign the consent form. They draw the frontal hairline and the areas to be treated in pencil, then take reference photos. If the technique requires it, the donor area, and sometimes the recipient area, are shaved. The patient is settled in, and local anaesthesia of the donor area is administered. Harvesting takes two to four hours depending on the number of grafts. Meanwhile, the team sorts and prepares the grafts. After a lunch break, the recipient area is anaesthetised, the doctor makes the incisions, then the team implants the grafts. At the end of the day, the donor area is protected with a dressing, instructions are given and the patient goes home accompanied.

The frontal hairline design is reviewed and approved with the patient before any anaesthesia. This is the moment to ask your last questions and check that the plan matches what was agreed.

The anaesthetic injections are the most unpleasant part of the day. Once the anaesthetic takes effect, you only feel pressure, both during harvesting and during implantation. The anaesthesia is topped up if necessary.

The patient stays awake. You can listen to music, watch a film or chat with the team. Breaks are planned for drinking, eating and stretching your legs.

During individual extraction, the patient lies face down or sits with the head tilted forward. After anaesthesia of the donor area, the doctor or operator harvests the units one by one, spreading out the extraction points. The grafts are collected by the team, sorted by the number of hairs and kept cool. With the strip method, the strip is removed, the wound is sutured, and the team then dissects the strip under a microscope. This phase often lasts two to four hours.

After the break, the patient is placed in a semi-seated position. The recipient area is anaesthetised. The doctor makes the incisions, following the design, with the angle and direction suited to each area, or the team uses implanters. The grafts are then placed one by one, single-hair units along the frontal hairline and fuller units further back. The doctor checks everything before finishing.

At the end of the day, the doctor checks the implantation, the team gently cleans the area, applies a headband or dressing to the donor area and hands over written instructions and prescribed medication. An appointment is set for the first check-up or first wash.

On the first night, it is advisable to sleep with your head raised, on your back, with a travel pillow around your neck so the grafts do not rub against the pillow. Slight discomfort in the donor area is common; the prescribed painkillers relieve it. Do not touch or scratch the grafted area.

The first three to five days are the most delicate. The grafts are still fragile and can be dislodged by rubbing or a knock. Swelling of the forehead, sometimes down to the eyelids, often appears between the second and fourth day, then disappears within a few days; sleeping with your head raised and applying cold to the forehead, never to the grafts, limits it. Small scabs form around each graft. The donor area is tender, and after a strip, the tension of the sutures can be uncomfortable. It is advisable to rest, avoid exertion, avoid bending your head down and only wear a loose-fitting hat if you need to go out.

The swelling is caused by the anaesthetic fluid and inflammation. Gravity draws it down towards the forehead and eyes. It is harmless and resolves on its own.

Pain is generally moderate, mainly in the donor area. The prescribed painkillers relieve it. Increasing pain should prompt you to contact the team.

Slight oozing in the first few hours is normal. Persistent bleeding can be controlled by gentle pressure with a clean gauze pad on the donor area; if in doubt, call the team.

The first wash is often done the next day or the day after, at the clinic or at home depending on the team. It follows a precise protocol: a lotion or softening product is applied to the grafted area to soften the scabs, then a mild shampoo is applied by dabbing, without rubbing, and rinsed off with lukewarm water using a container or a low-pressure shower head. Dry by patting with a paper towel or let it air dry, without a hot hairdryer. This wash is repeated every day for about ten days, gradually increasing the pressure and massaging gently from the second week onwards, to help the scabs come off.

The donor area can be washed normally sooner. After a strip, the stitches or staples are removed after ten to fourteen days, unless dissolvable sutures were used.

The first week is devoted to rest and aftercare: daily washing, head raised at night, no exertion, no rubbing. The swelling appears and then disappears, scabs form, and the donor area heals. In the second week, the scabs gradually fall off thanks to washing and gentle massage; the recipient area becomes smoother and slightly pink; strip stitches are removed if necessary; returning to work is generally possible. In the third and fourth weeks, the skin has healed on the surface, the transplanted hairs start to fall out, and you can gradually resume sport, wear a loose cap and have your hair cut with scissors. At the end of the first month, the appearance is close to how it was before the transplant, with a defined hairline but hair that is still sparse.

After implantation, a small scab forms around each graft. It protects the area during healing, but should not stay too long, as it could hinder the emergence of new hairs and cause itching. Thanks to daily washing, the scabs soften and usually fall off between the seventh and fifteenth day. Do not pick them off with your nails: gentle massage in the shower is enough from the second week onwards. When a scab falls off, it is normal for a small hair to be attached to it: the root stays in place.

Itching is common during healing. Do not scratch. Washing, a prescribed soothing lotion and sometimes an antihistamine relieve it.

The recipient area may remain pink for a few weeks, longer in fair skin. This redness fades gradually.

Between the second and eighth week, most of the transplanted hairs fall out. This shedding, sometimes called shock loss or post-operative effluvium, often comes as a surprise, but it is normal: the trauma of transplantation puts the follicles into a resting phase. The root remains alive under the skin and will produce a new hair a few months later. Some original hairs around the grafted areas may also fall out temporarily; they generally grow back within three to six months.

Between the second and fourth month, the appearance can be disappointing: the transplanted hairs have fallen out, the new ones have not yet emerged, and the area may look sparse. This phase is temporary; patience is needed.

During the second and third months, most of the transplanted hairs have fallen out and the new ones have not yet emerged. This is the most frustrating period, often called the ugly duckling phase. The area may look as it did before the transplant, sometimes even sparser if original hairs have fallen out temporarily. It is important to know that this stage is normal and temporary. Any medical treatments are continued as directed by the team.

The first hairs appear, initially fine and sparse, sometimes curly or lighter in colour. They break through the skin, which can cause a few spots. Density gradually increases, and you start to be able to style the transplanted hair. At six months, the improvement is clear, though not yet final.

The hairs thicken, lengthen and take on their final texture. Density continues to increase. At around twelve months, most patients see the main result of their transplant. The one-year check-up is an opportunity to take stock and, if necessary, discuss an additional session.

Beyond one year, the result can still improve, particularly at the crown and in people with fine hair, up to eighteen months. Medical treatment and annual follow-up protect the original hair.

The following situations are based on common cases; they do not describe real people.

Antoine, 36, a transplant before his holidays

Antoine scheduled his transplant just before two weeks of holiday. He slept with his head raised, followed the washing routine, and his scabs had fallen off by the time he returned to work. His colleagues only noticed his short hair. He went through the intermediate phase knowing what to expect; at ten months, his frontal hairline was dense.

Claire, 48, an unshaven transplant

Claire chose an unshaven transplant to keep her long hair. She went back to work after four days without anyone noticing a thing. She was surprised by some shedding of her original hair in the second month, but it grew back, and at twelve months her density had clearly improved.

Julien, 42, a worrying first wash

Julien was alarmed to see a few hairs come away with the scabs while washing. The team explained that the root stayed in place. Reassured, he continued his aftercare, and his hair grew back from the fourth month.

These journeys show the value of planning well, knowing the normal stages in advance and staying in touch with the team if in doubt.

Regrowth generally begins between the third and fourth month. The first hairs are fine, sometimes wavy or slightly lighter; they gradually thicken. At around six months, about half of the result is visible. Between nine and twelve months, density builds up and texture returns to normal. At the crown, regrowth is often slower and the final result can take up to eighteen months. Small spots, caused by hairs breaking through the skin, may appear during regrowth; they disappear on their own or with simple care.

During regrowth, small acne-like spots may appear. They are often caused by hairs breaking through the skin. They are harmless; a persistent or painful spot should be shown to the team.

The first hairs may be finer, curly or dry. Their texture normalises over the months.

The months following a transplant are a period of waiting, sometimes of anxiety. After the excitement of the day of the procedure, the shedding of the transplanted hairs, followed by the intermediate phase when nothing seems to be happening, can lead to doubts. It is common to scrutinise the mirror every day, compare yourself with photos of other patients or worry about uneven regrowth. Knowing that these stages are normal helps a great deal. Taking photos once a month, always under the same conditions, shows the real progress that daily observation does not reveal. The team remains available to answer questions and offer reassurance.

Regrowth is not always uniform: some areas grow back faster than others. This unevenness fades over the months.

Patience is key: the result of a transplant cannot be judged before a year. Assessing it too early often leads to unnecessary worry.

Taking a photo once a month, at the same time of day, with the same lighting and the same angle, allows you to track regrowth objectively and avoid the anxiety of daily observation.

Medical hair-loss treatments are often resumed a few days or weeks after the procedure, as directed by the team, to protect the original hair. Some teams offer plasma sessions to support regrowth. Our page on PRP for hair covers this option, and the one on baldness treatments presents the medical treatments.

Resuming a lotion applied to the scalp is often postponed for a few weeks while the skin heals. The team specifies the timing.

Follow-up appointments are often scheduled after a few days, then at around three, six and twelve months. They make it possible to check healing and regrowth and adjust treatments. Photos are taken at each stage for comparison.

When a second session is planned, generally at least a year after the first, the process is very similar: preparatory consultation, day of the procedure, aftercare and regrowth over several months. There are, however, a few differences. The donor area has already been used: the doctor spreads the extractions between the previous points or, after a strip, removes the old scar within the new strip. Grafts are often implanted between existing transplanted hairs, which requires great precision to avoid damaging them. Temporary shedding of already transplanted hairs around the new incisions is possible; they grow back. The regrowth timeline is the same as for the first session.

A minor touch-up, to refine the frontal hairline for example, requires fewer grafts, a shorter day and a lighter recovery.

When you can resume activities depends on your job, the technique and how visible the area is. Office work can often be resumed after three to seven days, with a loose-fitting hat if necessary. Physical jobs, outdoor work or jobs requiring a helmet need a longer break. Light sport such as walking resumes after a few days; intense sport, weight training and running after two to three weeks; contact sports, swimming pools and saunas after about a month. Direct sun should be avoided for several weeks, with suitable protection afterwards.

A loose-fitting hat or cap, put on without rubbing, can be worn after a few days. Tight beanies and helmets should be avoided in the first few weeks.

When you can return to work depends greatly on your job. For office work without much contact with the public, three to five days is often enough, with a loose-fitting hat if necessary. For customer-facing jobs, some prefer to wait until the scabs have fallen off, at around ten to fourteen days, especially after shaving. For a physical job exposed to dust, heat or sweating, or requiring a helmet, a break of two weeks or more is advisable. Working from home often makes a quick return easier. The team can provide a certificate if necessary.

Working from home allows you to resume your professional activity quickly, while staying out of sight and away from friction during the first few days.

Sport is resumed gradually. In the first week, only gentle walking is advisable, without excessive sweating. From the second week, moderate activity such as an exercise bike or brisk walking is often possible, without a tight helmet. Running, weight training and intense sport resume around the third or fourth week, once the skin has healed. Swimming, in a pool or the sea, and saunas should be avoided for about a month because of chlorine, salt, heat and the risk of infection. Contact sports and those that expose the head to impacts, such as martial arts or football, often require a month or more. The team adapts these timeframes according to the technique and healing.

Hair can be cut with scissors after a few weeks, and with clippers after about a month. Colouring and chemical products should be avoided for at least a month, often longer, on the team's advice.

During regrowth, styling can help you feel comfortable. The longer original hair can be styled to partially cover the grafted areas, provided you do not pull on it or apply harsh products in the first few weeks. A slightly shorter cut on the sides reduces the contrast with the grafted area. After healing, light styling products can be used again, on the team's advice. Hair fibres, powders that visually thicken the hair, are sometimes permitted after a few weeks to conceal the intermediate phase; it is best to ask the team before using them.

During regrowth, it is tempting to look at yourself constantly. Setting specific times to check, for example a photo once a month, helps you keep perspective and appreciate the real progress, which is measured in weeks rather than days.

In the first few days, sleeping on your back with your head raised limits swelling and protects the grafts. After about a week, you can return to your usual sleeping position.

Alcohol is not recommended for a few days, as it promotes swelling and bleeding. Smoking slows healing; not smoking for at least two weeks after the procedure is advisable.

After a transplant, the scalp is fragile and sensitive to the sun. Direct exposure can cause sunburn, marks or prolonged redness, and hinder healing. In the first few weeks, it is advisable to avoid direct sun or wear a loose-fitting hat. Afterwards, a sunscreen suitable for the scalp can be used on the team's advice. In the mountains or in summer, extra care is needed. Scheduling the transplant in autumn or winter often makes these precautions easier.

Autumn and winter are popular times for a transplant: the sun is weaker, hats are more common, and regrowth coincides with the following spring and summer.

Serious complications are rare after a hair transplant. However, certain signs should prompt you to contact the team quickly: pain that increases instead of decreasing, spreading redness, warm and painful swelling, pus, fever, bleeding that does not stop despite pressure, or an area that turns black. Most minor problems, such as folliculitis or a cyst, are easily treated when dealt with early.

Inflammation of a few follicles, in the form of small red spots, is fairly common during regrowth. It is treated with local care and, if necessary, prescribed treatment.

The scalp sometimes remains numb or tingles in places; normal sensation usually returns over the months.

In Switzerland, hair transplants are performed in practices or clinics, under the responsibility of a doctor. The team generally organises the preparatory consultation, the day of the procedure, the first wash or an early check-up, and then follow-up appointments over several months. Proximity makes these visits easier and allows prompt care if questions arise. The price differences shown below relate to a transplant of around two thousand grafts, with follow-up included, as a percentage compared with Geneva.

The budget for a transplant depends on the number of grafts, the technique and what is included: consultation, care products, medication, first wash, follow-up appointments, any touch-up. It is worth asking for a detailed quote. Our page hair transplant price in Switzerland details the rates.

The price of a hair transplant generally includes the preparatory consultation, the day of the procedure with anaesthesia, harvesting, preparation and implantation of the grafts, dressings and often the first care products. Depending on the team, the first wash at the clinic, medication, follow-up appointments over several months, plasma sessions and any touch-up may be included or charged separately. Comparing offers requires checking these items, not just the number of grafts and the total price.

A hair transplant is carried out in a single day under local anaesthesia. The first few days require rest, keeping the head raised and gentle washing following a precise protocol. The scabs fall off in about two weeks. The transplanted hairs then shed before growing back from the third or fourth month. It takes six to nine months to see the result taking shape, and one year to eighteen months to judge it fully. Patience, following instructions and regular check-ups are the keys to a good result. The factors that determine success are explained on our page dedicated to hair transplant results.

Certain mistakes, often made in good faith, can compromise the result. Scratching or picking off the scabs risks dislodging grafts. Sleeping on your front or side in the first few nights can rub the grafted area. Washing too vigorously in the first few days, or using a high-pressure shower, can damage the fragile grafts. Resuming intense sport, swimming pools or saunas too early exposes you to sweat and infection. Exposure to the sun without protection can leave marks. Smoking slows healing. Finally, stopping medical hair-loss treatment can allow the original hair to keep falling out around the grafts.

If in doubt, it is better to call the team than to search for answers online. A message with a photo can often provide quick reassurance.

The written instructions given on the day of the procedure are invaluable: it is worth rereading them every day for the first two weeks and keeping them close at hand.

• I have arranged my time off and transport.
• I have stopped smoking.
• My medication has been checked.
• I have prepared my care products and a travel pillow.
• I know the washing protocol.
• I know when the follow-up appointments are.
• I know the signs that should prompt me to call the team.

A hair transplant is a journey lasting several months: one day of surgery, a few days of careful aftercare, then a long wait before discovering the result. Knowing each stage in advance, getting organised, following instructions and staying in touch with the team allow you to get through this period calmly. At the end of the road, around a year later, the transplanted hair has grown back and the result is revealed.

Budget

Price differences between cities and cantons, the breakdown of the quote and ways to save are detailed on our page Hair transplant process: prices in Switzerland.

Related procedures

• Hair transplant: before and after in Switzerland
• Hair transplants for women in Switzerland
• Hair transplants for men in Switzerland
• Hair transplants and alopecia in Switzerland

Our guides

• Hair transplants in Switzerland
• Hair transplant guide in Switzerland
• Cosmetic surgery in Switzerland

The most frequently asked questions about the day of the procedure, aftercare and regrowth.

Preparation

Should I stop smoking beforehand? Yes, at least two weeks before and after.

Should I stop my medication? Never without medical advice.

Can I drink alcohol the day before? It is not recommended.

Should I wash my hair the day before? Yes, without styling products.

What should I wear on the day? Loose clothing that buttons up.

Do I need to fast? No, a light breakfast is recommended.

Can I come alone? It is better to be accompanied home.

Should I cut my hair beforehand? As instructed by the team.

The day of the procedure

How long does the day last? Often six to eight hours.

Is it painful? Only the anaesthetic injections are unpleasant.

Am I put to sleep? No, it is done under local anaesthesia.

Can I eat during the day? Yes, a meal break is planned.

Can I watch a film? Yes, often.

Is the hairline design reviewed on the day? Yes, before the anaesthetic.

Who works on the recipient area? The doctor makes the incisions, the team places the grafts.

Can I go home in the evening? Yes, accompanied.

First few days

Does the forehead swell? Often between the second and fourth day.

How should I sleep? With your head raised, on your back, using a travel pillow.

Can I touch the grafts? No.

Should I apply ice? On the forehead, never on the grafts.

Can the grafts fall out? They are fragile in the first few days; hence the precautions.

Is the pain severe? Generally moderate.

Can I go out? Yes, with a loose-fitting hat after a few days.

Washing

When should I do the first wash? Often the next day or the day after.

How should I wash my hair? By dabbing, without rubbing, with a gentle rinse.

Do I need a special shampoo? A mild shampoo recommended by the team.

Can I use a hairdryer? Not on a hot setting in the first few weeks.

When can I resume normal washing? After about two weeks.

Scabs

When do the scabs fall off? Between the seventh and fifteenth day.

Can I pick off the scabs? No.

A hair falls out with the scab: is that serious? No, the root stays in place.

Is itching normal? Yes, but you must not scratch.

Hair loss

Why do the transplanted hairs fall out? The shock of the transplant puts them into a resting phase.

When do they fall out? Between the second and eighth week.

Will they grow back? Yes, from the third or fourth month.

Can the original hair fall out? Yes, temporarily.

Should I be worried at three months? No, this is often the least flattering phase.

Regrowth

When do the first hairs appear? Around three to four months.

What can be seen at six months? About half of the result.

When is the result stable? After a year, sometimes a year and a half.

Does the crown grow back more slowly? Often, yes.

Are the new hairs thin? At first, then they thicken.

Can spots appear? Yes, during regrowth.

Activities

When can I go back to work? Usually after three to seven days.

When can I resume sport? Intense sport after two to three weeks.

When can I go to the swimming pool? After about a month.

Can I go out in the sun? Avoid it for several weeks.

Can I wear a helmet? Not in the first few weeks.

Can I wear a cap? A loose one, after a few days.

Can I have sex? After a few days, without intense exertion.

Hair styling

When can I get a haircut? With scissors after a few weeks.

When can I use clippers? After about a month.

When can I colour my hair? Not before a month, often longer.

Can I use gel? Once healed, with the team's approval.

Donor area

Is the donor area painful? It may be tender for a few days.

When are the stitches removed? After ten to fourteen days for the strip method.

Does the donor area grow back? Yes, the remaining hair hides the scars.

Complications

Which signs should cause concern? Increasing pain, pus, fever, spreading redness.

What is folliculitis? Inflammation of the follicles, appearing as small spots.

Is numbness normal? Yes, it fades gradually.

Is infection common? No, it is rare.

Checks

When are the check-ups? After a few days, then at around three, six and twelve months.

Should I take photos? Yes, to track progress.

Are check-ups included? Often; this should be confirmed.

Treatments

Should I resume my hair loss treatment? As advised by the team.

Is PRP useful afterwards? It is sometimes offered to support regrowth.

Are antibiotics needed? Depending on the team's protocol.

Prices

How much does a hair transplant cost in Switzerland? It depends on the number of grafts; see our tables.

Is follow-up included in the price? Often; this should be confirmed.

Are aftercare products included? Sometimes.

Is the first wash charged for? Usually included.

Does insurance contribute? Not for a cosmetic transplant.

Can I pay in instalments? Depending on the clinic.

Other questions

Can I fly after a hair transplant? It is best to wait a few days and ask the team for advice.

Can I wear make-up? Yes, outside the grafted area.

Can I wear glasses? Yes.

Can the swelling reach the eyes? Sometimes, but it is harmless.

Can I drink coffee? Yes, in moderation.

When can I scratch? Not until healing is complete.

Do transplanted hairs grow straight? Yes, according to the angle of implantation.

Can I go cycling? Without a tight helmet, after a few weeks.

Should I avoid heat? Yes, for the first few days.

Can I drive again? After the day of the procedure, not that same evening.

Does the grafted area stay red? Sometimes for a few weeks.

Can I wash the donor area normally? Sooner than the grafted area.

Do I need a special shampoo afterwards? A mild shampoo is enough.

Can I wear a wig? Not in the first few weeks.

Can I swim in the sea? After about a month.

Do I need sick leave? Depending on your job, often a few days.

Is the headband mandatory? It is often recommended for one or two days.

How many days of rest are needed? Usually three to seven days.

Is sweating dangerous? Avoid it for the first few days.

Can I bend forward? Avoid it for the first few days.

Do I need to sleep sitting up? Keeping the head elevated is enough.

Do the scabs leave marks? Normally, no.

Can I apply a product to speed up regrowth? Only on the team's advice.

Is regrowth even? It can be gradual and patchy at first.

Can redness last a long time? In fair skin, for a few weeks.

Can the result improve after a year? Yes, especially at the crown.

Will I need another transplant? Sometimes, to add density, at least a year later.

Tell us your canton: we will put you in touch, free of charge, with a team that provides local follow-up.