Korean Hair Transplant Success Rate, Cost, and Precautions — Interview with Dr. Kim Jino of New Hair Clinic

After a hair transplant surgery, pain usually occurs only during the anesthesia process. Once the anesthesia takes effect, there’s no significant pain. Even after waking up, most people just feel a dull or mild discomfort—like a bruised sensation when pressing the surgical area. Of course, pain sensitivity varies from person to person, so a few may feel more discomfort, but that’s rare. Most patients say, “It was much less painful than I expected.” So don’t worry too much. Doctors are skilled at administering anesthesia, so you’ll be fine.

The most critical period for transplanted hair to take root is about 11 to 12 days—roughly two weeks. Hair transplantation involves placing the hair follicle, which is the root that produces hair, back into the skin. Think of it like replanting a tree’s root. After the follicle is removed and placed into the scalp, it takes about 11 to 12 days, or generously two weeks, for proper adhesion and stabilization. During this period, if you accidentally pull on the transplanted hair, the root may come out with it. That’s why we emphasize avoiding pulling, rubbing, or bumping the area for the first two weeks. After two weeks, even if you pull a hair, only the shaft comes out while the root remains safely in place. So there’s no need to worry too much. Many people also ask, “Is non-incisional hair transplantation better but more expensive?” It’s not a matter of good or bad. There are incisional and non-incisional methods, and naturally, the name makes people prefer the non-incisional method. But it’s simply a difference in technique, not superiority. 

However, the incisional method is also a very good and classic technique. The indications for the two methods are slightly different. Both are effective procedures, and it is true that the non-incisional method has the advantage of less pain and less noticeable scarring. Because of this, people who are sensitive about scarring tend to choose the non-incisional method. The procedure time is also generally longer. With the incisional method, a strip is removed at once, whereas with the non-incisional method, each follicle is extracted individually, which naturally takes more time. For this reason, the non-incisional method is usually more expensive. Costs vary greatly depending on the clinic. The most common standard is around 3,000 grafts. Based on that, some very inexpensive clinics charge around 3 million KRW, while high-end clinics may charge up to 10 million KRW. On average, I would say the cost for 3,000 grafts using the non-incisional method is typically between 5 to 7 million KRW. However, this can change over time, so if you read this a few years later, the prices may be quite different.

After a hair transplant, the main point to be careful about is shampooing. Except for the day of the surgery, you can shampoo starting the next day. In the past, some clinics recommended waiting 1–2 weeks because they were worried the transplanted hair might fall out. But with experience, we’ve learned that such a long wait isn’t necessary. Many people think water shouldn’t touch the wound, but the scalp is actually an area that’s difficult to keep perfectly sterile. Washing with water reduces bacteria, so shampooing is not a problem at all. Usually, the clinic will teach you how to wash properly. Just follow your doctor’s instructions and be careful not to rub or pull the transplanted hair. Sweating from exercise is also not harmful. Sweat itself is a very clean substance — like urine, it contains no bacteria. The problem occurs only when sweat is left on the skin for a long time, creating a moist environment that bacteria like. So sweating is fine as long as you wash it off promptly.

After a hair transplant, many people wonder when they can resume high‑intensity exercise. During the healing process, the body needs a significant amount of energy. When you have a wound, your body directs a lot of energy to that area. So it’s important not to put too much stress on your body. Everyone’s exercise tolerance is different. Some people can handle high‑intensity workouts without feeling tired, while others get exhausted just from walking. That’s why I recommend resting for about 3–4 days after the surgery. If you must exercise within the first week, do it at about 50–70% of your usual intensity. You should feel refreshed or lightly energized afterward, not exhausted. After two weeks, you can return to your normal exercise routine, including high‑intensity workouts — as long as the wound has healed. Most people heal within two weeks, but some may take longer. For those who heal more slowly, I sometimes recommend keeping the intensity low for up to a month. Many patients worry that high‑intensity exercise might cause the transplanted hair to fall out due to pressure. But applying force does not create pressure on the scalp in a way that would dislodge the grafts. I’ve never seen hair fall out simply from exertion. After 3–4 days, the tissue begins to adhere. However, during the first 1–2 days, you must avoid bumping your head — impact can cause grafts to pop out. So for the first 3–4 days, light exercise at about 50% of your usual intensity is fine. That’s the level I recommend. Thank you.