FUE transplant hairs grow before shed?

[HLSUFFERER1]

I’m two weeks out and expecting full FUE shed. But, like everyone I’m sure, I’m starting to hope I’m a lucky one who does not. My only question is—the hairs seem to be growing...is that normal before shed or a good sign? 

[DrTBarghouthi]

Full shed is not expected with everyone. In some cases transplanted hairs go into a growth stage immediately, or can grow a bit then shed or alternatively can shed immediately. 

[Westview]

Yup, mine grew for about 1 to 2 weeks before they all shed. That is normal

[Melvin- Admin]

In my experience, the hairs do grow slightly, but I shed around 3 weeks.

[alex85]

@Melvin-Moderatoris this 'real' growth do you think? (what you describe) 

Edited November 9, 2020 by alex85

[Westview]

I think its actually a good sign the hairs are growing, because that means they likely were not transected and appear to have been transplanted properly

[alex1985]

So, that should mean that my non-growing hair (have some in hairline) are transected (probaly). I had a transplant 4 weeks ago, most of the hair shed, but some are still in my scalp, without growing..

[BOW32]

Some of mine grew up until 2-3 months and then shed, it really is pretty unpredictable. I wouldn't assume the hairs in your hairline have been transected though just because they are doing different things to what others are - each follicle has a brain of its own. 

[Raphael84]

I would suggest that in most cases, the original growth that is being referred to is more the hair shaft slowly being "pushed" and expelled from the recipient site before falling (shedding), therefore appearing longer. Even with patients who maintain a percentage of grafts without ever seemingly visually shedding those grafts, this is generally due to the graft remaining until it is expelled by the "new growth cycle" and is therefore immediately replaced by a new hair. As this happens at unique times throughout the recipient area, it would appear as though some grafts did not shed.

@alex1985 You should have no concerns regarding "no growth" of non shed hairs at 4 weeks post op. Completely normal and you will still likely shed these hairs in the next weeks.

[alex1985]

Thank you @Raphael84 for you reassuring answer!

[jimcraig152]

I am experiencing some early growth 3 months and 2 weeks in. I had immediate graft growth, then 80% of the grafts shed between week 3-6. Lots of transplanted hair in my forelock never shed. So if my early rebound out of the ugly duckling stage was predicated by instant graft growth, I would say it is a good sign.

I have it all captured here.

Edited November 11, 2020 by jimcraig152