Hair transplant surgery is not seasonal and can be scheduled all year around — whenever is the most convenient for you.
Even so, there are pros and cons to different seasons that you may wish to consider before having this procedure done.
Here, you’ll learn if there really is a best season for a hair transplant and what to keep in mind for recovery during each season.
Hair Transplant in Summer: Advantages and Disadvantages
The summer season in the northern hemisphere, including the UK, begins in June and lasts until the end of August.
Getting a hair transplant during this season has its perks and downsides.
Advantages
Summer Holidays: With the arrival of the school summer holidays, it’s common for people to take annual leave during this period.
Then, if you decide to undergo hair transplant surgery during summer break, it won’t seem odd to others.
Results By Year End: If you get your hair transplant during summer, you will have already started growing your new hair by Christmas or New Year’s.
Disadvantages
Sweating: Sweating after a hair transplant, when your scalp has small incisions and punch holes, may lead to a hair transplant infection.
Also, when wiping sweat off your scalp, you may potentially end up uprooting your hair grafts.
Damaging Sun Exposure: Although you can be damaged by the sun in both winter and summer, the latter season receives more sunlight. This is also the time when you may feel more inclined to do things outdoors.
After your hair transplant, you need to be careful as direct sun exposure can cause skin discolouration, sunburn (the risk is greater when you’re bald) and damage to scalp grafts.
Your doctor might advise you to stay out of the sun for 1 month post-operatively. But even afterwards, you need to keep your scalp protected from sun damage.
Hair Transplant in Winter: Advantages and Disadvantages
December, January and February constitute the winter months in the northern hemisphere.
This season is generally considered a good time to get a hair transplant, but you should consider its pros and cons as well.
Advantages
Less Sweating: During winter, you do not have to worry about sweat damaging your newly transplanted hair grafts.
Still, be careful when you turn the heating on in your house. Too high a temperature can cause sweating.
More Discretion: Winter is a time when most people don’t want to leave the comfort of their homes.
It is also the holiday season with Christmas and New Year’s, so you can recover without drawing attention to yourself.
Disadvantages
No Head Covering: You cannot wear beanies and woolly hats to keep your head warm for 1 month after the surgery.
While you can wear loose caps and scarves after 2 weeks, you can’t cover your scalp with anything too tight for a month, even when it gets cold. That’s because it can easily dislodge your hair grafts.
Potential Risk Of Sun Damage: The sun is weaker during winter. Even so, you shouldn’t throw caution to the wind, as you can experience sun damage during winter, including from activities like hiking and skiing.
It’s a myth that you can’t experience sun damage during winter.
What Is The Best Season For A Hair Transplant?
Due to the holiday season, the likelihood of people staying indoors, and less concern over sweating, the colder winter season is generally considered the best time for hair transplants.
Bear in mind, however, the hair transplant results aren’t affected by the season — they are largely influenced by your recovery regimen after the procedure.
In other words, you can have the surgery in summer, winter, spring, or autumn if you prefer.
Be Careful Of The Rain!
Rainfalls can occur at various times of the year and during different seasons.
For the first 15 days after surgery, it’s fine if you’re exposed to mild rain for a few minutes, but you should avoid heavy downpours. It’s advisable to use an umbrella when going outside to protect the surgical area.
After 15 days, once all the scabs have fully cleared, it is safe to be exposed to rain without concerns.
Hair Transplant Results Across The Year
If you follow your hair transplant’s aftercare instructions, you can achieve excellent results regardless of the season when you have your hair transplant.
Patient 1: Scott Nicholls
Scott underwent his hair transplant with us in mid-May, during the spring season. However, most of his initial recovery occurred during the summer in the UK. As you can see, he was able to achieve an excellent outcome.
Patient 2: Sam Goldsmith
Sam had his hair transplanted with us in December during the winter, and his initial recovery period was also during winter.
Patient 3: Dean Burns
His hair transplant and initial recovery took place during the autumn season, and the results were remarkable.
Interested In Getting A Hair Transplant?
Longevita is a trusted provider of hair transplants with a 98% success rate. Feel free to contact us if you’re interested in this surgery or have any questions about it.
