One of the most frequently asked questions is, “Does hair transplant hurt?” According to the definition provided by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), a hair transplant is considered a type of surgery. And when it comes to surgery, it’s hard to say that it’s completely painless. In fact, ISHRS guidelines clearly state that it’s prohibited to advertise hair transplants as “painless surgery.” So, claiming that hair transplants don’t hurt would be a lie. But how much does it hurt, and at what stage? Let’s talk about it.
How long does a hair transplant hurt?
Since a hair transplant is a surgical procedure, once the anesthesia takes effect, the patient won’t feel anything during or after the surgery. You might experience some soreness within the first 24 hours, and the doctor will give you pain medication to take home, just in case. Here’s what to expect:
- First 24 hours: Your scalp may feel tight, and slight soreness may begin to set in.
- 2–3 days: The wounds will start to dry, and the skin may appear a little red.
- 1 week: The soreness should be gone, and scabs may start to form.
- 2 weeks: The scabs will fall off completely, and you’ll be able to return to your normal routine.
You can read more about post-transplant care here.
When does a hair transplant hurt?
At Hairsmith Clinic, the only part of the procedure where you’ll feel pain is during the administration of local anesthesia, which is at the very start of the surgery.
How painful is it? If you’ve ever had an injection or Botox, that’s about the level of pain we’re talking about — nothing you can’t handle. Plus, we offer relaxing massages during the anesthesia process to help ease the discomfort and reduce stress and anxiety.
How painful is a hair transplant?
Since a hair transplant is considered a minor surgery, it would be misleading to say it doesn’t hurt at all. However, pain tolerance varies from person to person. Compared to other procedures, the pain is relatively minor, similar to getting a Botox injection.
If you’re still worried about the pain from the anesthesia injection, we have a “special option” available. Long-time patients of Hairsmith Clinic know that we always go the extra mile. We offer a short 15-minute sedation during the anesthesia phase, so that you won’t feel any pain at all. Of course, patient safety is our top priority, so this option is administered by an anesthesiologist — ensuring complete safety. However, this option does come with an additional cost.
You can read more about hair transplant costs in Bangkok here.
So, how do you feel after learning more about the process? Hopefully, this information has reassured you that a hair transplant isn’t as painful as you might have thought. Since it’s a minor surgery, the pain level is manageable. Plus, Hairsmith Clinic offers extra options to make the experience even more comfortable. If you’re still worried about the pain, there’s really no need to stress.
Summary
ISHRS guidelines clearly prohibit advertising hair transplants as a “painless surgery.” The only part of the process that involves pain is the anesthesia injection, and the pain is tolerable. At Hairsmith Clinic, we offer a 15-minute sedation administered by an anesthesiologist during the anesthesia phase to eliminate any sensation of pain. However, this special option comes with additional costs.
