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Medically reviewed by Dr. Barış Duman
Short answer: Yes, suitable patients can have a hair transplant without cutting their hair short. At Hairpol we do this with the Manual Punch Long Hair FUE technique. Working unshaven is not the right choice for everyone, though. The extent of your hair loss, your donor area and the number of grafts you need all affect the decision. Tell us at the first consultation that you would rather not cut your hair, and we can assess your photos and tell you whether this technique may suit you.
What does “unshaven hair transplant” actually mean?
The word does not mean the same thing at every clinic, so it is worth asking what is meant. Three different approaches go by this name:
- Full long-hair transplant: hair in both the donor and the transplant area keeps its length.
- Trimming only the hairs to be harvested: the surrounding hair stays as it is and covers the work.
- Partial or hidden-window shave: a small part of the donor area is trimmed and the hair above covers it.
For a wider comparison, including the pros and cons, read our article on unshaven U-FUE.
How does Manual Punch Long Hair FUE work?
The grafts are taken one at a time with a manual punch and the hair is left long. Your appearance after the procedure therefore changes much less than it does with a classic shaved transplant.
This matters most if you work on camera, are active in public life, the arts, television, sport or business, or would simply rather not tell people about your transplant.
The transplant may be done by the doctor or by the team under doctor supervision. We decide which technique suits you after an examination and a review of your photos.
Who may it suit?
- People whose hair loss is limited to a small area, such as the hairline or temples
- People who want to correct a hairline or add density to existing hair
- People who prefer not to cut their hair because of work or social life
- People whose hair has a length and structure that allow harvesting and channel opening
The U-FUE suitability article goes further into who it suits.
What are the limits?
Working with long hair takes more care and time. If the hair loss covers a wide area, or a large number of grafts is needed, a shaved technique may be the better choice. If working unshaven would get in the way of the plan, we will tell you.
At Hairpol, pricing is not per graft. The medically appropriate maximum number of grafts that can be safely harvested without harming the donor area is planned individually, based on the needs of the transplant area, the capacity of the donor area and the characteristics of your hair. To reduce the risk of excessive thinning and lasting changes to the donor area, our clinic does not recommend harvesting more than 7,000 grafts in a single session. But 7,000 is not a suitable or safe number for every patient, and your donor capacity may call for a much lower number. Our priority is protecting the donor area before increasing the number of grafts.
How is it different from Sapphire FUE and DHI?
We use three techniques at Hairpol: Sapphire FUE, DHI and Manual Punch Long Hair FUE. Long Hair FUE is the option built around working unshaven. You can read about the other two on our Sapphire FUE and DHI pages, and compare them in our DHI and Sapphire FUE article.
How is the price of an unshaven hair transplant set?
At Hairpol the price depends on the transplant technique and the package type, never on the number of grafts. Our international package costs $2,500£1,900€2,250CA$3,500 (cash price), paid upfront, with no instalments. For the price of a Long Hair FUE operation, please ask our patient advisers.
The package includes the guarantee certificate, a central 4-5 star hotel for 2-3 nights, a VIP Mercedes transfer, an aftercare kit with medicines, a 24/7 VIP patient manager, 12 months of monthly follow-up and complication insurance. If you are comparing with a clinic at home, check that both quotes describe the same technique and the same inclusions.
Frequently asked questions
Will my hair not be cut at all?
That depends on the approach used and the area being treated. We can sometimes work with full-length hair, while in other cases a small area needs trimming. We confirm your own plan at the consultation.
When can I go back to work after an unshaven transplant?
You can go back to work on day 3 after your operation, subject to our doctor’s check and approval. If you have travelled to Istanbul, your flight home needs to be planned as well.
Can women have an unshaven hair transplant?
It can be a suitable option for women who do not want to cut their hair. Suitability is assessed individually. See our hair transplantation for women page.
Can large areas be treated unshaven?
For large areas, shaved techniques are often more suitable. Share your photos with us and we can look at which option suits you at the consultation.
Is aftercare different after an unshaven transplant?
The basic rules are the same: protect the transplant area, follow the washing instructions and avoid pressure in the first days. See our hair transplant aftercare guide.
Will the result be worse than with a shaved transplant?
In suitable patients, working unshaven does not in itself change the result. What matters most is that the technique suits the extent of your hair loss and your donor area.
Free photo analysis
Could a transplant without cutting your hair work for you? Send us your photos and we will assess them at a free consultation.
