Does a Hair Transplant Hurt?

For a lot of our patients, having a hair transplant is a big decision. Lots of questions follow including various ones surrounding pain. In fact, surveys suggest that pain during a hair transplant is one of the main concerns for many people who are considering hair transplantation surgery [1].

It is therefore very important to be in the right medical environment with the right professional team in order to manage pain and discomfort during and after the procedure. There are many patients that have told us and left reviews of how pleasant and pain free the experience was and that it was mostly the fear of the unknown that they were concerned about.

Key Takeaways

• Hair transplants are generally not painful. However, depending on your pain tolerance, you may experience mild pain or discomfort after the procedure.
• Most of the pain you will feel during a hair transplant results from the injection of a local anaesthetic. However, the pain is only temporary, often lasting only a few seconds or minutes until the effect of the local anaesthesia kick in.
• If you feel sore, your doctor will recommend painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol to help you manage the discomfort.

There are a lot of stories on social media about how tiring and painful a hair transplant is, which may increase your fear of surgery.

How Painful is Hair Transplant Surgery?

Does a hair transplant really hurt ? The short answer is no post numbing. There is an element of pain during the administration of the local anaesthetic injections. Our patients have described this as “painful but short” and a feeling like “a small scratch”. In most cases, the pain resolves after a few seconds to a couple of minutes as the anaesthetic is taking effect.

There is also an element of pain post procedure. This typically lasts for 2-3 days and is managed via paracetamol. If the pain is a little bit stronger that paracetamol doesn’t “cut the mustard” so to speak, our doctors recommend over the counter co-codamol.

Furthermore, some types of hair transplants have been found to be slightly more painful than others.  [1] However, the pain is minimal, thanks to the use of local anaesthesia.

To help relieve the fear of pain during transplant, you can see what happens during hair transplant surgery which goes into detail about what happens during the day of the procedure with a handy timelapse video.

FUE vs FUT: Which is more painful?

FUT hair transplants are slightly more painful than FUE hair transplants and may also lead to more scalp scarring. In one study, researchers observed that pain after a hair transplant surgery was significantly less severe in patients who had the donor site harvested by FUE compared to FUT. [1]

According to the study, the pain after hair transplant almost disappeared on day 3 in people who had an FUT, compared to only minimal pain lasting a day in those who had an FUE transplant. [1]

FUT isn’t as common of a procedure as it used to be but it still has it’s place. FUT is typically recommended for patients that don’t want to shave or cut their hair (mostly female patients) or that have a larger area of hair loss that needs covering but don’t have an overall thick donor area to be able to sustain an FUE procedure.

How to Reduce Post Hair Transplant Pain?

If you experience pain or soreness in your scalp post hair transplant, you can use the paracetamol that we provide you in your aftercare pack.

Some other tips you can consider to reduce any post-hair transplant pain include:

• Keep your scalp clean and avoid scrubbing the affected area. You can see our aftercare advice for when to wash and how.
• Sleep with your head elevated for the first few nights to minimise any discomfort.
• Avoid scratching the affected area, even if it itches, as it can slow down the healing process. You can use an antihistamine to help with this.
• Avoid strenuous activities, such as a heavy workout, for at least 7 to 10 days post-surgery.
• Protect your scalp from direct sunlight, which can further irritate your scalp. However, do not use hats in the first 14 days after hair transplant.

Other Hair Transplant Side Effects

While the risks associated with hair transplant are often minimal, you may experience side effects like: [2,3]

• Itching
• Swelling
• Scabbing or crusting
• Numbness or tingling
• Bleeding
• Folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles that appears as a red bump or pimple)
• Shock hair loss
• Infections (rare)

Although infections after hair transplants are rare, it is a possibility. [4,5] Infections are more likely to arise as a result of poor hygene post surgery or due to pre-existing medical conditions. [5]

Some signs that your scalp might be infected after a hair transplant include:

• Increased  or persistent pain
• Excessive swelling
• Redness
• Pus or discharge
• Foul odour
• Warmth

If you notice any of the above symptoms, it is important to contact your doctor immediately. You will be prescribed antibiotics, and if there is pus, your doctor will help you drain it.

Conclusion: Is a hair transplant painful?

Hair transplant surgery is relatively painless, thanks to the use of local anaesthesia, which helps numb any potential pain. Most patients report feeling little to no pain during the procedure. If you feel any discomfort, tightness, or pain after the transplant, it usually resolves within a week. Your doctor can prescribe medications to help you manage any pain you may feel after the procedure.