Disclaimer: Results, recovery, and risks vary by the individual.

The following information for Hair Growth and Hair Transplant in Singapore is meant as a guide only.

Before you take the plunge for hair transplant, do take a couple of minutes to understand more on the cycle of your hair growth and how this can affect the outcome of your procedure. This is so that you will have a better grasp of your condition to discern if hair transplant is the most effective treatment for your desired result.

The Different Phases of Hair Growth

Hair growth is a continuous cycle similar to the life cycle of a plant. The various phases of a hair are Anagen, Catagen, Telogen and Exogen. Regardless of the need for hair transplant, all hairs go through the same phases. How does yours differ?

Anagen Phase (Growth)

In healthy scalp, up to 90% of the hair is in this phase. Growth phase typically lasts 3 to 8 years. In patients susceptible to pattern hair loss, this growth phase is shortened. This results in hair transitioning into other phases more quickly than it should and start falling off.

In pattern hair loss, new hair also takes a longer time to grow back to replaced lost ones. Hence, resulting in thinning hair in the affected area.

For optimal results in a hair transplant procedure, it is critical to prolong the anagen phase of surrounding hair.

But Why?

Most hair follicles in the affected area have a shortened growth phase as compared to healthy surrounding hairs. That is, surrounding hair will not fall off as fast as area susceptible to pattern hair loss.

If left uncontrolled, the result of your hair transplant procedure will be a patchy one. This is because transplanted hair will be able to grow longer and thicker while their surrounding hair is falling of at a faster rate. Read here for how to increase density after hair transplant.

Catagen Phase (Regression)

This stage happens at the end of a hair follicle growth phase. When hair loss is under control, only 10% TO 25% of your hair would be in the Catagen phase. During this stage, the blood supply is cut off from the hair and prevents further growth. This is where club hair is formed. Hair will typically remain in this phase for 2 to 3 weeks before entering Telogen Phase.

Telogen Phase (Sleeping Phase)

This is otherwise known as the sleeping phase of hair follicles. Hair can remain in this inactive, resting stage for a period of 3 months before it eventually falls off.

A hair transplant procedure can cause “shock” to the hair follicles in the recipient site. When such trauma happens, the Anagen phase may be drastically shortened, causing hair to quickly enter into Telogen Phase.

This is commonly referred to as Temporary Shock Loss after Hair Transplant. You should not be alarm when this happens after your Hair Transplant procedure as this temporary loss is not uncommon.

Exogen Phase (Shedding)

As the name implies, the hair shaft falls off from the scalp during this phase.

In some stances, patients experience the ugly duckling period in the 3rd to 4th month after a Hair Transplant procedure. This is the result of hair in the Anagen phase going into shock to escalate into Catagen and Telogen phase where it stays in the scalp for 3 to 4 months. Do read more on Temporary Shock Loss here.

Before Proceeding For A Hair Transplant Procedure

Pattern hair loss is a result of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone causes the shortening in hair’s growth phase. When uncontrolled, non-transplanted hair follicles will continue to be weakened as the production of DHT is not blocked.

Seek consultation with our hair transplant team to find out of you are a good candidate for FUE before deciding.