Below Are Your Most Pressing Hair Transplant Questions of 2025 (So Far)!

Have a question that’s been niggling you about your hair? Below I’ve compiled the most asked questions this year so far. Because if you have a question, someone else is probably asking it too! Image by cookie_studio for Freepik.

I strongly believe there’s no such thing as a bad question. Honestly, if you’re asking it (or even thinking of asking it) then chances are someone else is wondering as well (and potentially too embarrassed or shy to ask themselves). 

In the spirit of celebrating your questions, in today’s blog I’m addressing all the things about hair transplants that have been trending in my inbox so far this year. 

Time to tackle them—honestly, clearly, and — as always — confidently! 

 

What is downtime like after a hair transplant?
Something I always like to remind people is that though a hair transplant is on the lower end of the invasive scale — it is still a surgery so there will be a recovery period. Most patients take one week off work, and you’ll likely see redness, swelling, and tiny crusts in the transplanted area for about a week. But once that first week is over? You're generally back to regular life—with just a little more loose baseball cap action than usual.

Oh, and as for exercise? Off limits for 10–14 days, as the potential for sweating makes it a no go. Swimming? Also a no go for 3 weeks. Lakes, pools, hot tubs, and the ocean can all introduce problems. 

 

Do you have to shave your head for a transplant?
Not necessarily — but it really depends on the technique we need to use. Full shaving gives me maximum access and visibility, which is important for FUE hair transplants. If you’re getting an eyebrow transplant, however, we’ll probably use FUT and a smaller number of grafts, so shaving the head isn’t necessary. There are also no shave FUE options available.

So it depends. 

Some clinics now offer “no-shave” long hair FUE options, where longer hairs are transplanted. It’s best for those patients needing smaller sessions or discreet tweaks. The trade-off is that it can be more time-intensive and costly and — remember— those long-haired grafts still fall out.

 

Does transplanted eyebrow hair really grow longer?
Yes—and that’s not a bad thing! Transplanted hairs are taken from scalp donor zones, which means they retain their original growth characteristics. That includes the length. So yes, your new brows will need a trim every week or two. For many, that’s a small price to pay for the shape, fullness, and symmetry they’re after.

 

Do transplanted eyebrow hairs grow longer? You bet they do! Image by Freepik. 

Can my DHT-resistant hair become DHT-sensitive after it’s transplanted?
No. DHT resistance is a property of the hair follicle, not its location. That’s why transplanting hair from the back of the scalp (where follicles are naturally DHT-resistant) works so well. These follicles retain their DHT resistance even when placed in areas where hair is typically lost.

What often happens after a transplant is that the remaining, native hairs can continue to fall out, especially if medical hair therapy isn’t explored. This can make it look like your transplanted hair is being lost when it isn’t.  

 

Is one transplant enough?
Sometimes. But not always. A single transplant can yield excellent results, especially if you're starting with mild to moderate hair loss and follow it up with medical therapy. But hair loss is progressive. As surrounding native hairs thin, more procedures might be needed to maintain a consistent look. That’s why I always counsel my patients to stabilize their hair loss with medical therapy first (like finasteride or minoxidil) before proceeding with a hair transplant, and following up with a treatment plan afterwards. 

 

How long does a hair transplant take?
This isn’t your average lunchtime procedure. A typical FUE transplant takes between 6–10 hours depending on the number of grafts. A larger session may take longer. But don't worry—you'll be comfortably seated, often watching Netflix, while the team does the precision work.

A word of caution: Mega procedures (5000 plus grafts) are becoming popular overseas. I really don’t recommend them — there’s too much risk to graft viability, and your donor hair is finite. Treat it like a precious resource. 

 

What are the most dangerous complications from a hair transplant?
Hair transplant surgery is generally very safe in experienced hands. But like all surgeries, it carries some risk. The biggest concerns? Infection, anesthesia toxicity (rare), excessive bleeding, or—in very rare cases—skin necrosis (where tissue doesn’t heal properly). That’s why choosing a skilled, board-certified surgeon who specializes in hair transplants (like me) will serve you best. 

 

Does a hair transplant hurt?
Not during the procedure itself, thanks to local anesthesia. You’ll feel the initial numbing injections (like at the dentist), but after that, most patients report no pain—just a long day. Some soreness and tightness can occur afterward, but pain is usually mild and manageable with over-the-counter meds.

 

Not sure if your hair is thinning? You’re not alone. A lot of things can look like hair loss but aren’t — telogen effluvium, stress, age-related thinning — not to mention other types of hair loss. Image by Freepik.

How do you know if you're losing hair?
Great question, especially if you're in that gray zone of “I think I might be thinning, but I’m not sure.” Look for miniaturized hairs (short, wispy strands that don't grow like the others), a wider part, or more visible scalp in photos over time. A trichoscopy exam can help clarify what’s happening underneath the surface.

If you do think your hair is thinning, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis before getting a hair transplant. Though androgenetic alopecia is the most common form, it’s not the only one. 

Inexpensive Prescription Hair Loss Medication Delivered To Your Door.

 

Why does finasteride sometimes stop working—and what about dutasteride?
For most people, finasteride works beautifully to stabilize hair loss. But over time, some users find it loses efficacy. Why? DHT suppression may not be complete in some individuals, or other hormonal pathways may start playing a role. Dutasteride, which blocks more forms of the DHT-producing enzyme (5-alpha reductase types I and II), is sometimes used as a next-level option when finasteride no longer holds the line. 

 

Why am I still shedding so much short hair?
Shedding sure can feel terrifying—but it’s not always cause for panic. It could be due to miniaturization (a sign of androgenic alopecia), but it can also reflect telogen shedding or breakage from over styling. A proper diagnosis is key here—especially if the volume of hair fall (more than 100 strands a day) has noticeably changed.

 

Is post-finasteride syndrome real?
This is a controversial topic. While some people rarely report long-lasting symptoms after stopping finasteride (sexual dysfunction, brain fog, depression), clinical studies haven’t yet identified a clear biological mechanism. That doesn’t mean people’s experiences aren’t valid—but it does mean the condition is so rare that it’s hard for researchers to pin a cause or mechanism. Most men who experience side effects will eliminate them by changing the dose with their provider, or stopping the medication altogether. 

 

I’m still losing hair on finasteride—what now?
It happens. Sometimes finasteride isn’t enough on its own. The next step? Optimizing your routine. That might mean adding topical minoxidil, switching to dutasteride, introducing PRP and/or microneedling, or ruling out other types of hair loss. This is where seeing a specialist pays off. Remember, it’s hard to treat hair loss if you don’t know the cause. 

 

Final Thoughts
There’s a lot of nuances when it comes to hair loss and deciding whether a hair transplant is right for you and there’s a lot to unpack but never be afraid to ask your questions! The more we talk about it, the less mystery there is and the more confident you’ll be making your hair decisions.  Whether you're a transplant candidate, thinking of medical therapy, or just tired of guessing what’s going on with your hairline, know that support, solutions, and science are on your side.

We can help. 

Ready to explore your options? Visit Linkovhair.com to get started.

The content of this newsletter is for entertainment and educational purposes only. This content is not meant to provide any medical advice or treat any medical conditions. Patients must be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare provider on an individual basis and treatment must be tailored to meet that patient’s needs. Results and particular outcomes are not guaranteed.