Do I need to cut my hair before the hair transplant procedure?

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    Surveyed from the published FAQs of 39 hair transplant providers. The percentage on each highlighted claim is the share of surveyed providers who make that claim on their own sites — it shows how common a claim is, not that it is true. Hover to see who.

    Also asked as: “Do I have to cut my hair before treatment?” · “Should I have a haircut before my hair transplant?” · “Do I have to cut my hair for the procedure?” · “Do I Need a Haircut Before My Procedure?”

    About half of providers say the clinic will cut your hair41%Stated by 41% of the providers we surveyed. Including Berkay Tulpar Clinic, Çağatay Sezgin MD - Hair Transplant Surgeon Dubai, Capital Hair Restoration, Precision Hair Restoration, Rosanelli, Zeynep Metin Clinic, and 10 more. as needed on the day of the procedure, suggesting you may not need to cut it yourself. However, about half also state that whether you need to cut your hair depends on the hair transplant method used36%Stated by 36% of the providers we surveyed. Including Northwestern Hair Restoration Clinic, Dr Art Clinic, Hair Loss Treatment Center, Rejoice Hair Transplant, Advanced, Folliderm - Hair Care Experts, and 8 more..

    Opinions vary among providers. About a quarter claim cutting your hair before the hair transplant procedure is required for accuracy and hygiene28%Stated by 28% of the providers we surveyed. Including Fairfield Dermatology, The Carney Center, Robotic Hair Rx, World Clinica Hair Transplant & Cosmetic Surgeries, Europe Hair Center, Prof. Suleyman Tas, and 5 more., while another quarter assert cutting your hair before the hair transplant procedure is not required21%Stated by 21% of the providers we surveyed. Including Hair Garden Clinic, oclinic, PraxisHair, Medical Expert Health, Dr. Oksana Shnayder, and 3 more.. This highlights the need to consult your clinic for specific requirements.

    Method-specific requirements are also a factor. About a quarter of providers note the FUE method requires cutting26%Stated by 26% of the providers we surveyed. Including GETFUE Hair Clinic, Gabinety Derma Point, Northwestern Hair Restoration Clinic, and 7 more. or shaving the hair, and a minority mention the ARTAS system requires cutting or shaving the hair18%Stated by 18% of the providers we surveyed. Including Aron Nusbaum, M.D., Premier Plastic Surgery, Precision Hair Restoration, and 4 more.. These methods may have specific hair length requirements.

    Additionally, about a quarter of providers prefer shorter hair for the procedure for better results31%Stated by 31% of the providers we surveyed. Including Premier Center for Hair Restoration, The Hairsmith Clinic - Best Hair Transplant Clinic Delhi NCR India, Capital Hair Restoration, and 9 more., often for ease of access and visibility. Similarly, about a quarter of clinics state the donor area may need cutting31%Stated by 31% of the providers we surveyed. Including Beverly Hills Hair Restoration, AriaMedTour, Aron Nusbaum, M.D., and 9 more. or shaving, which is a practical consideration for success.

    What clinics say

    Claims from clinics' own websites

    In their own words — drawn from 37 clinics whose published guidance fed this answer, showing 24.

    1. Trimming the patient’s hair in the donor area allows the ARTAS® System to accurately visualize, track and harvest each follicular unit for transplantation.
      Aron Nusbaum, M.D. Miami, US
    2. No, you typically don't need to cut your hair extensively for a FUT hair transplant.
      Beverly Hills Hair Restoration Beverly Hills, US
    3. However, unless you’re getting a discreet FUE, it is common practice to have a short haircut before the hair transplant procedure.
      Northwestern Hair Restoration Clinic Chicago, US
    4. Yes. Trimming your hair in the donor area allows the ARTAS Robotic System to accurately visualize, track and harvest each grouping of …
      Rosanelli Campbell, US
    5. … transplant methods differ, and the decision to cut your hair depends on the method to be used.
      Berkay Tulpar Clinic Istanbul, TR
    6. For the best results, surgeons recommend a short haircut.
      Premier Center for Hair Restoration Wexford, US
    7. No, please do not cut. We will cut on the day of surgery.
      Çağatay Sezgin MD - Hair Transplant Surgeon Dubai Dubai, AE
    8. No. Avoid cutting your hair immediately before the procedure, as it may affect the surgeon’s assessment of your hair growth patterns.
      Dr Ditta Hair Transplants Bury, GB
    9. No, not if your wear your hair long.
      Hair Loss Treatment Center Mount Pleasant, US
    10. You will receive instructions on having your hair cut shorter in preparation for your ARTAS iXi Robotic Procedure.
      Precision Hair Restoration Philadelphia, US
    11. With the DHI method, shaving the head is not necessary.
      Dr Art Clinic Wrocław, PL
    12. … comfortable with the sutures being visible for about 10 days. You don’t need to worry about cutting your hair in advance.
      Capital Hair Restoration Manchester, GB
    13. No. It is best not to cut or shave your hair before your appointment.
      Zeynep Metin Clinic İstanbul, TR
    14. … the good news is that after around three weeks you can safely get your hair cut without causing any damage to the transplants or new hair.
      The Hairsmith Clinic - Best Hair Transplant Clinic Delhi NCR India Delhi, IN
    15. Trimming the patient's hair in the donor area allows us to accurately visualize, track and harvest each follicular unit for transplantation.
      Fairfield Dermatology Fairfield, US
    16. No…. your hair will be trimmed by us to 1mm short as that is the requirement for FUE hair transplant; in some cases, micro-or macro …
      Rejoice Hair Transplant Mumbai, IN
    17. … enough space to work on and high accuracy, it is required that you have short hair.
      Advanced Tirana, AL
    18. The day of your procedure, your hair should be 1 mm in length.
      Premier Plastic Surgery Pittsburgh, US
    19. No, you don’t. With the adequate length, Dr Holman will shave a small area, which will be covered by your …
      MH Clinics - Aesthetic Medical Clinic | Adelaide Adelaide, AU
    20. Dr. Pramod strongly suggests hair trimming before the hair transplant because it will expose the bald area adequately and ensures that no bald area is missed during …
      Folliderm - Hair Care Experts Kathmandu, NP
    21. Before a hair transplant, our nurses will trim your hair off using a trimmer.
      GETFUE Hair Clinic Göynük, TR
    22. No need to cut your hair before your appointment.
      Hair Garden Clinic Istanbul, TR
    23. You will receive instructions on how to cut your hair shorter in preparation for your ARTAS Robotic Procedure.
      The Carney Center Virginia Beach, US
    24. If hair transplantation is to be done with the DHI technique, only a small area is shaved in the donor area.
      oclinic İstanbul, TR