Every hair transplant clinic has their own set of detailed instructions to follow during hair transplant recovery, and you should take their advice.
Guidelines will differ depending on whether you have undergone an FUE, a STRIP or another hair transplant procedure, but they do have much in common.
Following the recommended steps carefully is important because your new hair grafts will be sensitive to external damage for a few days until they heal.
There might be a mild to moderate amount of pain or discomfort associated with your hair transplant surgery. This can be eased with pain relievers.
If you have been given a sedative, arrange for someone to pick you up after the procedure.
The first night is the most important. Avoid touching the grafts and try to sleep in a semi-upright position, by using pillows to elevate your head and reduce swelling.
If you are a smoker, avoid smoking for 2 weeks after surgery, as it will slow healing.
Do not take any aspirin 2 weeks after your surgery and avoid alcoholic beverages for 48 hours afterwards.
Most clinics advise that you can return to work the day after your surgery. Avoid bending or lifting heavy things for one week. After one to two weeks you may return to all normal activities. Leave the transplanted area open to the air as much as possible, but avoid sun exposure.
You can start to gently shampoo the scalp the day after surgery, and a blow dryer is recommended to dry the hair rather than rubbing with a towel.
Sutures should be removed in 10-14 days. You can comb your hair the next day, just be careful not to brush the comb over the grafts.
Don’t go swimming or apply hair coloring for at least one month after surgery.
The doctor might provide you with a spray for use at home. Spray the solution as instructed.
Remember to take your medications as indicated by your doctor and contact him immediately if you notice any discharge from the incision, fever or increase in pain.
The procedure may or may not be visible depending on which hair transplant procedure you chose. But it is possible to cover any scarring simply by wearing a hat or a baseball cap, or cover with surrounding hair.
The graft sites will scab following your surgery which means they are healing. Do not pick on the scabs. Doing so can cause infection. The scabs will fall out in 10 days. Some hair in the grafted area may also fall out. This is a completely normal process and nothing to worry about. Even if the hair falls out, the follicle remains.
Patience is one of the most important factors in hair transplant recovery, as the patient waits for months to see the positive results of the procedure. About one year after the procedure, the final result can be seen, and most hair transplant clients agree that it was well worth it.
Photo via Earl – What I Saw2.0
