Posted on 9th May, 2023 at 11:37:02 PM
You've been struggling with hair loss for years now and you're finally ready to take the next step. You've found a great surgeon, met with them and they are willing to perform your procedure. That's awesome! But before going through with the surgery, it is essential that you know the dos and don'ts of hair transplant to have a successful surgery and a recovery.
But before you book your surgery date, there are some things you should know about what happens during a transplantation process that will help guide you on whether or not this is right for you.
Keep reading below to learn more about the dos and don'ts of hair transplant procedures so that when it comes time, you can make an informed decision on whether or not this is something worth doing for yourself.
Hair Wash and Hair Style
Don’ts
Try not to wash your head for one day following the procedure. If you do, make sure it is very lightly with cold water only, or just wet the top of your scalp to keep it clean. Be careful because even this can cause swelling around your transplanted area and may cut off oxygen from getting to freshly implanted hair follicles causing them to die. This is also true if you get in an accident and there is potential damage to your grafts as well.
Do not use any type of lotion on the scalp before two weeks have passed after surgery.
Avoid using shampoos or products with chemicals or harmful agents.
Do
After one month, it's safe to wash your hair with shampoo as long as you do so gently and carefully. Given that many people use the same brushes or combs on their scalp daily for styling, try to alternate between two different brushes or combs when possible. That will give your scalp some time to heal and avoid any potential infections from bacteria that may be present on either object.
Use a medicated hair wash as suggested by your surgeon every time you shampoo.
As far as styling your hair after a transplant goes, make sure to avoid hot tools such as straighteners. Only use products that are designed for thinning hair in order to help maintain a natural appearance over time.
Wait at least one month before changing your hairstyle drastically and if you have bangs, do not get them cut until after three months have passed.
Physical Activities
Don’ts
Play any sports involving helmets, bikes, or skateboards for two weeks.
Avoid any other activities that may cause trauma or injury to your head for a while. This includes things like working out with weights, yoga or even laughing too hard. If you notice swelling on the side of your scalp where you just had surgery performed (typically at the hairline) do not massage it by yourself as this can rupture the blood vessels and cause unnecessary bleeding or infection. Be sure to communicate with your doctor if you're experiencing these significant symptoms so they can treat them immediately.
Do
Take short breaks between your activities to avoid excessive sweating. Sweat can lead to the formation of bacteria, and you wouldn't want that.
General Guidelines After a Hair Transplant
Some surgeons recommend using an ice pack to reduce swelling in the first few hours following surgery, but this is not necessarily a hard rule.
Stay positive and relaxed at all times during your procedure. This will help you get better results as well as keep you from worrying excessively about any postoperative issues.
Do not eat a heavy meal or drink alcohol the night before your surgery.
Do not be surprised if your doctor orders an MRI to ensure that there is no bleeding or swelling on or around the grafts before they send you home from the surgery center.
Keep in mind that it's typical to experience some swelling, irritation, and tenderness of the scalp for a few days following surgery (at least). Be sure to avoid activities that could cause trauma such as biking or skateboarding, weight lifting, and so forth until this subsides. They may also lead to additional swelling of the scalp which is why it's incredibly important to take it easy following a transplant. `
If you've been considering a hair transplant for some time now, it's important to know what to expect and how to care for your new hair. Surely these dos and don'ts of a hair transplant will help you before and after the procedure and help you have a speedy recovery. Since its discovery, thousands of people have undergone the procedure for various different reasons including male pattern baldness, thinning and receding hairlines, and much more!
