Are you anxious about skin redness and inflammation after hair transplant? No worries, we are here to help you through the recovery process.
Skin redness, swelling and inflammation are inevitable yet an essential part of the healing process. However, this can be minimized to the extent to keep you pain free and comfortable.
In this article we are going to discuss skin redness after hair transplant, causes, ways to reduce it, and timeline of resolution of redness.
What Is Skin Redness After Hair Transplant?
Hair transplant is an aesthetic procedure in which nicks and tucks are made surgically for implantation of grafts. Hair follicles are taken from skin with more hair and grafted to skin with lesser hair. The transformative procedures such as DHI and FUE use surgical tools which can produce skin bruises and redness.
See Also: Hair Transplant From Body Hair
What Causes Skin Redness Post Hair Transplant?
Skin redness or erythema is a normal physiological response to trauma. As hair restoration techniques involve minor surgical incisions, mild inflammation and redness can be expected. The blood flow towards the inflamed area is increased and it brings the nutrients and products essential for healing and recovery.
Mild redness might be normal but there are some other reasons for excessive skin redness, which includes:
- Folliculitis (redness and swelling around hair follicle due to infection)
- Cellulitis (skin infection of the transplanted area)
- Cysts (fluid or gunk filled sacs)
- Skin necrosis
- Irritation or allergy to the products or medication you use on skin.
- Poor wound healing
- Chronic health conditions such as diabetes, eczema and autoimmune disorders.
Tips And Tricks To Reduce Skin Redness After Hair Transplant
If you follow a proper aftercare regime you can minimize the redness and swelling post hair grafting surgery. Here are some tips and tricks you can opt that might help in alleviating the redness:
- Prevent Sun Exposure: Do not expose the transplant area directly to sunlight. Use loose fitted light-weight hats or caps.
- Avoid Hot Scalding Showers: Hot showers can cause burning and increase irritation.
- Do Not Scratch: Scratching can further increase erythema and swelling.
- Avoid Unnecessary Touching: Needless touching causes increased exposure to germs and infection.
- Minimize Use Of Scented Products: The aromatics of scented shampoos, perfumes and soaps might act as irritants so it is better to avoid them.
- Use Prescribed Medication: Plastic surgeons sometimes prescribe you antibiotics and anti inflammatory pills so take them regularly.
- Apply Topical Ointments: Generally topical ointments or moisturizers are recommended to help with the redness.
- Cool Compression: Cold compression reduces the swelling and redness.
- Gentle Head Washing: Good hygiene is necessary but do it gently. Do not message the area vigorously.
- Good Diet & Hydration: Diet rich in minerals and vitamins are essential in early wound healing. Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.
- Stop Smoking: Avoid smoking and other recreational drugs that might interfere with the healing.
- Do Not Pick The Scabs: Scratching or picking up the scabs can enhance the redness and irritation.
- Avoid Pressure On The Wounds: Do not use hard hats or helmets during the healing process.
- Soft Pillows: Use soft pillows that do not directly touch the wounds.
See Also: Over Harvested Donor Area?
How Long Does Skin Redness Last After Hair Transplant?
A usual timeline of skin redness one might experience after hair grafting surgeries is 6-8 weeks. Initial swelling usually subsides in about 2 weeks but complete resolution takes time.
However, it is just an estimated timeline. Healing depends upon the post surgical condition of the scalp, technique used and how well you take care of your wound.
Does Skin Redness Affect Hair Transplant Results?
Skin redness after surgery is the normal part of the recovery. So, it does not affect the hair transplant results usually. But, excessive or pathological redness can compromise the desired outcome of the procedure.
Therefore, you should have a proper aftercare plan and treatment to avoid unnecessary hassle and achieve optimal results.
Normal vs. Pathological Skin Redness: A Comparative Review
It is important to differentiate between normal and excessive redness. Patients should be concerned and consult a doctor if they experience excessive redness. Here is the difference between them:
| Features | Normal Redness | Pathological Redness |
|---|---|---|
| Colour and intensity | Mild to moderate intensity and pinkish hue. | High intensity with beefy red or purplish hue. |
| Distribution | Even pattern of distribution. | Localized spots and uneven. |
| Skin condition | Soft, nontender, smooth | Warm, tender with humps and bumps |
| Bleeding | Ideally no bleeding | Bleeding persists |
| Timeline | Should not last more than 14 days | Persists beyond 2 weeks |
| Healing | Heals over time | Worsens with time |
See Also: Hair Transplant Aftercare
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get rid of cobblestone after a beard transplant?
Cobblestone appearance can be avoided if you follow proper beard transplant aftercare. Cold compression, using topical ointments and gentle messaging are effective practices to avoid excessive scarring.
Is skin redness permanent after hair transplant?
Skin redness is temporary and it is a normal part of the healing process. It usually resolves in a few weeks and should not stay longer. If redness still persists and is not fading away with time you should visit your surgeon.
Is it normal to have skin redness after 6 months after hair transplant?
No, it is normal to have skin redness that lasts longer than two months. If your healing process is taking longer than usual, you should be concerned. Because there might be some underlying causes such as infection or excessive scarring that is interfering with the normal healing.
