The latest innovative hair restoration techniques are popular yet promising solutions for your hair loss. But the fact is, your successful hair transplant procedure is only the first step towards restoring a full, natural-looking head of hair. The true key to achieve optimal and long-lasting hair restoration results lies in hair transplant aftercare!
Why Care After a Hair Transplant is Important?
Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure where hair follicles are moved from a donor area (usually the back or sides of your scalp) to areas experiencing hair loss. Since these newly transplanted hair follicles are delicate, they need time to establish themselves in their new location.
According to a clinical study by NIH the survival and growth rates for transplanted hair reach as high as 80-90% after hair transplantation procedures, such as FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), FUSS (Follicular Unit Strip Surgery), or FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation). However, hair transplant aftercare is essential to protect and nourish the transplanted follicles.
What is the Hair Transplant Aftercare Timeline? An Expert Intake
Hair transplant post-op care does change as you move through the recovery process. Each stage after surgery has its own set of instructions. The expert hair restoration surgeons have designed them to support your scalp’s healing and help the transplanted hair follicles settle in and start growing strong.
By following this hair transplant recovery timeline-based instructions, you can maximize your hair transplant success.
Immediate Post-Op Care (First 48 Hours)
The initial 48 hours following a hair grafting procedure are critical for the healing process. During this period, it’s important to follow specific care instructions to minimize discomfort, reduce the risk of infection, and promote optimal healing.
1 – Rest & Relax: After leaving the clinic, you should de-stress. Go home and get plenty of rest.
2 – Avoid Touching: Never touch or wash the treated area immediately after hair transplant.
3 – Dressing: Apply any prescribed medicated ointments or dressings as directed in your post-op regime.
4 – Saline Spray: You will be provided with a spray bottle filled with saline solution for a hair transplant. It contains 0.9% Normal Saline solution. You should spray it within every half an hour. It speeds up your wound healing by:
- Minimizing dryness at the transplantation site
- Mitigates risk of infections
- Reducing the itching and scabbing over the wound
5 – Avoid Exertion: Avoid strenuous activity or exercise that can lead to sweating.
6 – Sun Protection: Make sure to avoid direct sun exposure. If sun exposure is unavoidable, try to cover your head loosely with a hat made up of light fabric.
7 – Donor Area Care: It is recommended to avoid immediately rinsing or washing your donor area or back of the head after hair transplant.
8 – Manage Swelling: Use cold compresses to minimize swelling and discomfort. But make sure to avoid exerting any pressure on the surgery site.
9 – Pain Management: Take any prescribed pain medication.
10 – Posture: For at least the first 5 days of your hair transplant, avoid bending or lowering your head while lying down. Using a neck pillow to elevate your head while sleeping can help reduce swelling.
11 – Lifestyle Habits: Avoid smoking or consuming alcohol for at least a week post hair transplant.
See Also: Afro Hair Transplant Turkey
3 Days After Hair Transplant Guidelines
As you enter the third day post-hair restoration, you’ll start to notice significant improvements in healing and comfort. However, it’s important to continue following specific care guidelines to ensure desired and optimal results.
1 – Gentle Cleansing: You can now wash and cleanse your scalp after hair transplant. Here’s what you should do:
- Gently wash the scalp with a mild, fragrance-free shampoo.
- Avoid scrubbing or massaging the transplanted area.
- Just gently rinse with water using a clean water cup. Don’t let the water fall with pressure while washing your head after a hair transplant.
- Pat the area dry with a clean, soft towel, non-irritating to the hair graft.
2 – Continuous Care: Keep using a saline solution and your medications as recommended, for hair plugs recovery.
3 – Avoid Strenuous Activity: Heavy physical exertion increases blood flow to the scalp. It can dislodge grafts or lead to excessive swelling. It’s best to avoid heavy lifting, running, or any high-impact exercise during the first week after a hair transplant.
5 Days After Hair Transplant Recovery Tips
By the fifth day, your scalp should be healing well, and you may start to notice some shedding of the transplanted hair grafts. This is a normal part of the healing process. To ensure continued progress, follow these guidelines:
1 – Healing And Discomfort: By day 5 after, your discomfort and pain should be reduced. You will notice the symptoms of the healing process of hair transplant, such as:
- Crusts and scabs around your transplanted hair follicles.
- Itching on the dried scabs
- Redness on the scalp
- The hair with the transplanted follicles will start to shed
- Shedding of hair from the Donor area is also normal.
2 – Continued Care: You should continue following the same protective measures like:
- Keep using saline solution.
- Gently wash your hair to remove scabs.
- Avoid activities with heavy exertions.
See Also: Robotic Hair Transplant Turkey
What is 1-Week Post-Op Hair Transplant Care?
Your wounds will be getting normal a week after a hair transplant. Although hair transplant maintenance is still very important for hair growth stimulation. You should:
- Avoid Exertion: Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or any activity that increases blood flow to the scalp.
- No Heat Exposure: Refrain from swimming, saunas, or activities that expose the scalp to heat or moisture.
- Hair Care: Gently brush or comb the hair, avoiding the transplanted area.
- Head Elevation: Sleep with the head elevated to reduce swelling.
- Cleansing: Daily wash your scalp with lukewarm water to keep the scalp clean and complete the removal of scabs.
- Restrictions: Things to avoid after a hair transplant include aggressive hair massage, and irritating hair products such as gel, styling tools, sprays, dyes, and shampoo with perfumes and sulfates.
How to Care for Your Hair Transplant After 2 Months?
Long-term hair transplant aftercare can ensure good results with proper healthy hair growth. Both male and female hair transplant recovery takes time. You should follow these instructions in your daily routine to have your expected hair restoration:
- Medication: Take any prescribed oral or topical medications as directed by your dermatologist, to stimulate your hair growth.
- Nutritional Support: Discuss with your doctor and consider taking hair-growth supplements containing biotin, collagen, vitamin C, and other nutrients.
- Balanced Diet: You should also take a balanced nutritious diet. Include green leafy vegetables and protein-containing food items in your daily meals.
- Headwear: Refrain from wearing tight hats or beanies that could put pressure on the grafted area.
- Lifestyle Changes: Avoid smoking and heavy exercise. They can impair blood flow and can delay your hair transplant healing timeline.
- Sun Protection: Keep protecting the scalp from direct sun exposure for several months.
- Follow Up: Attend all follow-up appointments with your surgeon.
- Monitor Progress: Report any concerns, such as excessive shedding or poor hair growth after a hair transplant.
- Hair Care: Maintain your recommended hair care routine, including gentle shampooing and styling.
- Restrictions: Keep avoiding harsh chemicals, hair dyes, heat styling tools, and aggressive brushing or combing.
See Also: How To Hide A Hair Transplant
Common Hair Transplant Risks and Solutions
Hair transplants are generally safe procedures with a high success rate. However, like any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects. Here are some common complications and their solutions:
| Complication | Description | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Swelling | Localized swelling around the transplant area. | Elevation of the head, Cold compresses, Over-the-counter pain relievers, Gentle cleansing, Avoiding scratching. |
| Bleeding | Minor bleeding from the donor and recipient areas. | Both Donor and Recipient area can bleed, Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated, Apply saline solution, Avoiding scratching. |
| Pain | Mild to moderate discomfort. | It’s common and can be overcome with Over-the-counter analgesics, such as Paracetamol. |
| Folliculitis | Inflammation of the hair follicles. | Do gentle cleansing, Use Antiseptic solutions, Avoiding touching the scalp. |
| Ingrown Hairs | Hairs that grow inward into the skin. | It is a good sign indicating new hair growth, Avoid tight hairstyles, Keep washing hair with gentle lukewarm water. |
| Itching, Tingling | A common sensation as the scalp heals. | Never scratch harshly, Keep spraying saline solution. |
| Shock Loss | Temporary hair loss around the transplanted grafts, within the first 1-2 weeks after a hair transplant. | It's normal, be patient, Can use Minoxidil or Finasteride if suggested by your doctor. |
| Infection | Bacterial infection in the transplant area. | Prompt medical attention, Antibiotic medication. |
| Scarring | Visible scarring, especially with older techniques. | Increase collagen intake, Use topical serums and creams prescribed by dermatologists, Go for Laser therapy if recommended. |
Swelling
Description: Localized swelling around the transplant area.
Solution: Elevation of the head, Cold compresses, Over-the-counter pain relievers, Gentle cleansing, Avoiding scratching.
Bleeding
Description: Minor bleeding from the donor and recipient areas.
Solution: Both Donor and Recipient area can bleed, Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated, Apply saline solution, Avoiding scratching.
Pain
Description: Mild to moderate discomfort.
Solution: It’s common and can be overcome with Over-the-counter analgesics, such as Paracetamol.
Folliculitis
Description: Inflammation of the hair follicles.
Solution: Do gentle cleansing, Use Antiseptic solutions, Avoiding touching the scalp.
Ingrown Hairs
Description: Hairs that grow inward into the skin.
Solution: It is a good sign indicating new hair growth, Avoid tight hairstyles, Keep washing hair with gentle lukewarm water.
Itching, Tingling
Description: A common sensation as the scalp heals.
Solution: Never scratch harshly, Keep spraying saline solution.
Shock Loss
Description: Temporary hair loss around the transplanted grafts, within the first 1-2 weeks after a hair transplant.
Solution: It's normal, be patient, Can use Minoxidil or Finasteride if suggested by your doctor.
Infection
Description: Bacterial infection in the transplant area.
Solution: Prompt medical attention, Antibiotic medication.
Scarring
Description: Visible scarring, especially with older techniques.
Solution: Increase collagen intake, Use topical serums and creams prescribed by dermatologists, Go for Laser therapy if recommended.
It’s important to consult with your hair restoration surgeon for personalized advice. You should address every symptom and any specific concerns you may have to enjoy optimum hairline transplant recovery.
If you neglect the aftercare of hair transplant and post-hair transplant protocols, it can lead to complications such as infection, poor graft survival, and an unsatisfactory final appearance.
Here’s a helpful video that will give you a better understanding of what to expect the day after a hair transplant, especially when it comes to washing your hair.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the most painful day after a hair transplant?
The most painful day after your hair transplant is usually the day of the surgery or the day after.
What to expect 7 days after a hair transplant?
Wounds are usually healed within 7 days post-surgery, You may feel mild redness, swelling, and scabbing in the transplant area.
What can ruin a hair transplant?
Improper hair restoration aftercare such as: scratching, poor hygiene, sweating, and covering your head tightly can ruin your transplant.
How many days after a hair transplant will I look normal?
Within 2 weeks after the hair transplant procedure you will start looking normal.
What food is not allowed after a hair transplant?
Avoiding spicy food, carbonated beverages, fast food, and alcohol is recommended.
Can we go bald after hair transplant?
No, usually your transplanted hair is resistant to baldness. But surrounding hairs can experience hair loss.
What is the best age for hair transplant?
The ideal age for a hair transplant is generally between 25 and 40 when your hair loss patterns have stabilized
Is PRP necessary after hair transplant?
PRP is not necessary after a hair transplant. However, it can enhance your healing and hair growth.
Does donor hair grow back?
Yes, they can grow back, depending on the type of hair extraction you have undergone.
Is milk good after a hair transplant?
It is advised to limit your dairy intake immediately after hair transplant surgery.
Which fruit is best after hair transplant?
Fruits rich in antioxidants, like berries and citrus fruits, are beneficial after a hair transplant.
Is chicken good after hair transplant?
Yes, it contains protein that can help with your hair follicle growth.
