Do You Really Have to Shave Your Head for a Hair Transplant?

Picture of Written by: Fahmida Hoque Rimti
Written by: Fahmida Hoque Rimti
Fahmida is an intern doctor in Bangladesh with eight high-impact publications in Q1 journals on emerging health issues and was awarded the “Inspiring Women Volunteer Award” in 2022 by the UN Bangladesh.
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Someone once said, “Invest in your hair, it’s the crown you never take off.” For people with chronic hair loss, the quote rings even truer. However, what does investing in your hair look like? Many people who want a full head of hair consider hair transplants as a long-term solution. But, it can also come with its own set of concerns. For example, do you have to shave your head for a hair transplant?

People often shy away from a hair transplant as they might have to shave their heads. But, you might not have to! Whether you need to shave your full head depends on the type of hair restoration procedure performed and your needs. Some procedures might allow for a partial shave. So, let’s look at hair transplants in more detail to determine which procedures may allow you to keep your preferred hairstyle after a hair transplant.

Do I Need to Shave My Head Before a Hair Transplant?

No. You can get a hair transplant without shaving your head. Some procedures may require a complete shave, while others require a partial shave. There is a procedure called an unshaven FUE hair transplant (UFUE). This procedure follows the same technique as the FUE procedure but you do not need to shave your head. The procedure can keep your hair mostly or intact.

You have to also keep in mind that not all patients will be suitable for partial or unshaven hair transplants. Patients with extensive hair loss may require an approach like the FUE procedure as they require a large number of grafts.

Can I Have an Unshaven Hair Transplant in Turkey?

Unshaven hair transplant procedure

Yes, you can have an unshaven hair transplant in Turkey. Clinics like Cosmedica, offer unshaven hair transplant options for patients who want to maintain their existing hairstyle. Cosmedica’s technique can help you with protecting your appearance without too much disruption.

However, a hair transplant procedure without shaving requires expert skill and experience. The process calls for extracting and implanting hair without shaving the entire head. Therefore, it can be a very time-consuming process. If you want to opt for an unshaven procedure, you can schedule a consultation with Cosmedica Clinic to determine if you are a good candidate.

Types of Hair Transplant Procedures and Shaving Requirements

Let’s take a look at all of the types of hair transplants Cosmedica can offer, to suit your needs:

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)

This is the most modern approach as individual follicles are removed and transplanted. It typically requires a full or partial shaving. If you choose to shave, FUE technique can help the surgeon work more efficiently and ensure better graft placement.

Unshaven FUE

Unshaven FUE is a modified version of the FUE method. This technique is reserved for smaller areas of hair transplant. As a result, it allows transplantation without fully shaving the scalp. So, you may not have to shave your head for an FUE transplant, depending on your hair loss.

FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation)

The FUT or strip method only removes a strip of hair from the donor area. Therefore, it does not require shaving your full head of hair.

Can Women Have an Unshaven Hair Transplant?

Many women wonder, “Do you have to shave your head for hair transplant,” especially if they want to keep their existing hairstyle. Women often have longer hair than men which takes a long time to grow out. They may also prefer an unshaven transplant that maintains their natural look. One benefit is female pattern hair loss differs from male pattern baldness. So, women typically struggle with thinning at the crown or hairline. Therefore, their hair transplantation surgery often allows for flexibility during unshaven procedures.

Hair transplant clinics in Turkey like Cosmedica can offer tailored solutions for women where the donor hair is usually hidden. So you can practice discretion while ensuring a natural-looking result.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing an Unshaven Hair Transplant

While the idea of avoiding a full shave is appealing, there are several factors to consider:

Time & Cost 

For anyone asking the question: Do I need to shave my head for hair transplants? Even if it might be possible for your specific hair type, time and cost are two very important additional factors. Unshaven procedures take longer and may be more expensive due to their complexity. Cosmedica, therefore offers high-quality hair transplants at an affordable price. To know more about the cost of a hair transplant in Turkey, you can visit the Cosmedica price page.

Suitability

Your extent of hair loss is very important. If there is extensive hair loss, you might not be a suitable candidate for unshaven hair transplants.

Post-Procedure Care

Recovery and results may take longer due to the delicate handling of individual hair follicles.

Success Rate

An unshaven transplant can be very successful. The success mainly depends on the quality of the hair and the skill of the surgeon. So, make sure you choose a good clinic for your procedure. You have to look no further than the before and after photos on the Cosmedica hair transplant before and after page to find real pictures of hair transplant success stories. 

Conclusion: Should You Shave for a Hair Transplant?

In conclusion, the question “Do you have to shave your head for a hair transplant?” does not have a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on the type of transplant procedure, the surgeon’s approach, and individual preferences. To determine what will work best for you, you can schedule a free consultation with a qualified hair transplant surgeon from Cosmedica. 

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