The Hair Growth Cycle in Transplanted Hair —
A Complete Explanation
The hair growth cycle in transplanted hair: anagen, catagen, telogen and how surgical trauma affects each phase.
Reviewed by Dr. Arslan Musbeh · Last updated 2026-04-17
The hair growth cycle in transplanted hair: anagen, catagen, telogen and how surgical trauma affects each phase. Dr. Arslan Musbeh, Hairmedico Istanbul.
The three phases of the hair growth cycle
Anagen (active growth): Follicle actively produces hair. Lasts 2–7 years for scalp hair. Hair grows approximately 1cm per month.
Catagen (transition): Follicle transitions from active production to rest. Lasts 2–3 weeks. Hair shaft detaches from follicle base.
Telogen (resting): Follicle dormant. Lasts approximately 3 months. Detached hair shed when new anagen hair pushes through from below.
What surgery does to the growth cycle
Surgical trauma forces transplanted follicles into telogen. Physical and chemical stress — extraction trauma, handling, temperature change, vascular disruption — all trigger the telogen transition. The subsequent dormant period (months 1–3) is this surgery-induced telogen phase. The follicle is alive and intact; not producing hair shaft growth. When telogen ends, the follicle transitions back into anagen and produces a new, permanent shaft.
Long-term cycle in transplanted hair
After maturation (months 12–14), transplanted hair follows a normal growth cycle indistinguishable from native hair. It sheds and regrows naturally. It responds to styling, colouring and treatment like any other scalp hair. The only difference: the transplanted follicle is DHT-resistant and will not miniaturise from androgenetic alopecia.
Common questions
How much does a hair transplant cost in Turkey?
Hairmedico all-inclusive: price on request for 2,000–3,500 grafts including surgery, 5-star hotel, transfers, PRP and 12-month follow-up.
Is hair transplant permanent?
Yes. Transplanted follicles are DHT-resistant and grow permanently for the patient's lifetime.
What is the recovery time?
Desk work: 5–7 days. Scabs shed by Day 10–14. New growth from months 3–5. Final result months 12–14.
Who performs surgery at Hairmedico?
Dr. Arslan Musbeh personally performs every extraction and canal-opening. In VIP he also places every graft himself; in Silver and Gold, his trained team places the grafts under his direct supervision. One patient per day.
Is Turkey safe for hair transplant?
Yes, with an accredited surgeon-led clinic. Verify FUE Europe membership, Ministry of Health registration, and confirm the surgeon personally operates.
References & sources
- International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Practice census — global hair restoration statistics. 2022. https://www.fue-europe.com/professionals/resources/practice-census/
- Onda M et al. Follicular unit extraction: a systematic review. J Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2019.11.006
- NHS. Hair loss — overview and treatment. National Health Service UK. 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/
- MedlinePlus NIH. Hair transplantation — clinical overview. U.S. National Library of Medicine. 2024. https://medlineplus.gov/hairtransplantation.html
- Bernstein RM. Follicular unit transplantation. Dermatologic Clinics. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.det.2013.06.002
All references are peer-reviewed medical literature or official health authority publications. No commercial sources included.
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