What Is IGM Hair Transplant? Process and What to Expect

IGM hair transplant is an FUE based hair transplantation protocol variant applied under doctor planning. Grafts are harvested one by one from the donor area using an FUE based approach and placed in the thinning area according to the plan prepared by the doctor. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and, in most plans, is completed in a single session of around 4 to 6 hours.

In this article we look at what IGM hair transplant involves, what it shares with and how it differs from Classic FUE, DHI and Sapphire FUE, how the procedure day runs and, above all, what to expect: how the transplanted hair develops over the months, set out on a realistic timeline. We describe the method only within the framework our clinic defines; whether it suits you is determined by a doctor's assessment. This article is for general information; results vary from person to person.

What does IGM hair transplant involve?

The IGM Hair Transplant method appears in the history of the Max Hair network as a method introduced in 2008. Today it is planned at our Istanbul centre under the name IGM Hair Transplant, as an FUE based protocol variant. Three elements define the framework of the protocol: FUE based graft harvesting and placement, doctor planning and supervision, and application under local anaesthesia.

Planning is individual. Before the procedure, your hair loss pattern, donor area, scalp condition and long term goals are assessed in detail. The doctor sets the density target on the basis of this assessment while taking care to preserve the health of the donor area; designing a natural looking hairline and carefully selecting follicular units for balanced coverage are also part of the plan.

In this article we do not go into what the letters IGM stand for, or into technical details such as the instruments used for channel opening and placement; we recommend asking your doctor about these directly during the consultation. Here we focus on the shared framework of the protocol as our clinic defines it.

The FUE foundation: what IGM shares with other methods

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is the technique in which grafts are harvested one by one from the donor area, usually the back and sides of the head. It involves no incision or stitches; each graft is a cluster of roots containing one to four hairs. Like Classic FUE, DHI, Sapphire FUE and the Max Hair protocol, IGM hair transplant uses this foundation at the harvesting stage.

This shared foundation also means that the broad outline of recovery is similar. Tiny dot marks form at the points in the donor area where grafts were taken; we covered this in detail in our article on whether a hair transplant leaves scars. The growth timeline of the transplanted hair also follows a similar course across FUE based methods. The differences between methods lie mainly in how the channels are opened, how the grafts are placed and which priorities shape the planning.

How many grafts are needed depends not on the name of the method but on the degree of hair loss and the capacity of the donor area. We covered the Norwood scale and graft calculation in our article on graft planning.

How do IGM, Classic FUE, DHI and Sapphire FUE compare?

The table below sets side by side the factual information contained in our clinic's service descriptions. No method holds a general advantage over another; the table only shows how each method is defined.

Because the details of channel opening and placement in IGM hair transplant are determined through doctor planning, that row is kept general in the table. Whether a method suits you becomes clear once your donor area, the extent of hair loss, your existing hair and your expectations have been assessed together. We described the steps of Classic FUE in our Classic FUE article, the reasoning behind choosing between DHI and Sapphire FUE in our DHI or Sapphire FUE article, and the protocol that combines sapphire channel opening with DHI placement in our article on the Max Hair method.

Who may be considered for IGM hair transplant?

Suitability depends on factors such as the condition of the donor area, the type of hair loss and your general health. Whether IGM hair transplant is suitable for you can only be determined by a doctor's assessment. The consultation usually covers the following points:

For candidates whose hair loss is still at a very early stage or whose donor area is limited, the doctor may suggest non surgical options or a different plan. We compared these options in our article on hair transplant versus hair systems. For women the assessment may cover different points; our article on hair transplant for women is dedicated to this topic.

• Hair loss pattern: where the loss is concentrated and how it is progressing.
• Donor area: root density at the back and sides of the head and the number of grafts that can be harvested.
• Scalp condition: whether there is any scalp problem that could affect the transplant.
• General health and medication: any conditions that could affect the treatment plan.
• Long term goals: how far your expectations match the capacity of your donor area.

How does the IGM procedure day run?

The procedure is usually completed in a single day; its duration depends on the size of the area to be treated and in most plans is between 4 and 6 hours. The number of sessions is determined individually through a doctor's assessment. The steps defined by our clinic are as follows:

Local anaesthesia reduces sensation in the treated area; the level of comfort may vary from person to person. We explained the anaesthesia process in our article on anaesthesia and comfort. For what to do before the procedure, see our article on preparing for a hair transplant.

• Doctor examination and planning: an individual assessment is made and the hairline is designed.
• Local anaesthesia and preparation: local anaesthesia is applied and the donor area is prepared.
• Graft harvesting: grafts are taken one by one from the donor area using the FUE based method.
• Placement and information: grafts are placed in the planned area, and you are informed about aftercare and follow-up.

What to expect: the recovery and growth timeline

With IGM hair transplant, as with other FUE based methods, the result does not appear in a single day but over months. Because the hair grows in gradually, visible change becomes clearer in the months that follow. The timeline below is a general framework; the timing of each stage may vary from person to person.

Throughout this period our team follows the process with post procedure care, regular check ups and growth monitoring. We set out the day by day care steps in detail in our article on care after a hair transplant.

• First days: mild swelling, redness and scabbing may occur; the scalp should not be scratched or touched.
• First week: heavy exercise and strenuous activities are avoided.
• First two weeks: the scalp is protected from direct sunlight.
• First weeks: some of the transplanted hairs may shed temporarily (shock loss); this is an expected stage.
• Months 3 to 4: new growth usually starts to become visible.
• Around month 12: the process is largely complete; follow-up continues with check up appointments.

Factors that influence results and realistic expectations

When people think about expected results, the first question is usually density. The density that can be achieved depends on the capacity of the donor area, the size of the area to be treated, the thickness and colour of the hair, the structure of the scalp and the healing process. Preserving the health of the donor area comes first; for this reason the number of grafts is limited by donor capacity, not by demand.

A transplant does not stop the progression of hair loss; existing hair in untreated areas may continue to thin over time. For this reason the doctor also considers your long term goals and any further planning that may be needed in the future from the outset. If considered necessary, supportive scalp applications may be planned after the procedure based on a doctor's assessment.

Following the aftercare instructions also matters for healing to progress smoothly: not picking scabs, avoiding strenuous activity and sun in the first weeks, and keeping follow-up appointments. Realistic expectations start with seeing the temporary shedding of the first months and the gradual regrowth as a natural part of the process.

Before deciding on IGM hair transplant

IGM hair transplant is a protocol variant that combines the FUE foundation with doctor planning and individual assessment. Which of Classic FUE, DHI, Sapphire FUE or the Max Hair protocol suits you is determined not by the name of the method but by your donor area, the state of your hair loss and your goals. You can find the overall framework in our hair transplant guide and the most common questions in our article on the 20 questions asked most often before a hair transplant.

Before making your decision, you can book a planning consultation in which you and the doctor assess your donor area, your expectations and the recovery timeline together. If you are travelling from abroad, our guide for international patients having a hair transplant in Istanbul helps with planning your stay and follow-up. Results vary from person to person.