Is a hair transplant painful?
A hair transplant is generally considered to be painless, especially when compared to other surgical procedures. However, it is still an operative procedure that may cause discomfort among patients. This article discusses the level of pain you can expect during and after your hair transplant surgery and how to avoid any pain.
Fast Facts
| Painless hair transplant | Painless methods |
| Local anesthetic injections | Donor and recipient area |
| Hair transplant procedure | Extraction & insertion phase |
| Pain after surgery | Rarely tightness, headache |
Why are hair transplants not painful?
During a hair transplant, the surgeon will make small incisions into the skin or take a strip of skin in the case of FUT. While these cuts are quite small, they may cause pain due to nerves that send pain signals from all over the scalp. Fortunately, doctors have many ways to make this process a lot more comfortable.
Your hair doctor may use the following methods to make the hair transplant more painless for you:
- Use Local Anesthesia Injections
In order to block the nerves on your scalp, surgeons use local anesthesia injections. After administering local anesthesia, patients can feel a numbing sensation that makes the whole procedure virtually painless. You are likely to feel negligible pain, even if you manage to stay lucid during the operation. - Give Pain Relief Medications
On top of local anesthesia, surgeons may also provide pain relief medication to alleviate further discomfort. They can also help you relax for a smooth-sailing hair transplant experience. - Create a Relaxing Environment
Being anxious and stressed can make you more susceptible to feeling pain during surgeries. Your doctor can make you feel more comfortable by creating a relaxing environment through music, aromatherapy, or temperature adjustments.
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Pain during the hair transplant
Here’s a rundown of what you can expect during the two main phases of the hair transplant procedure:
- The Extraction Process: Patients receive a local anesthetic in the donor region before the extraction phase. Once the region is numb, the whole extraction process becomes painless.
- The Insertion Process: Just like extraction, the surgeon will administer local anesthetic to the recipient region or balding area. This will make the patient’s entire scalp numb, removing any feelings of pain or discomfort. During this time, the surgeon will begin making incisions and implanting the grafts into the required areas.
If patients feel pain or discomfort returning during the procedure, they can alert the staff or doctor to re-numb the areas with more medication.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the pain last after a hair transplant?
Are you awake during a hair transplant?
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