A considerable number of men experience hair loss with age. Hair loss may start as soon as one hits puberty and may prolong by the age of 40. Hair transplant is the gateway for many suffering from severe hair loss. Since hair loss occurs due to the damaged follicles, replacing it with healthy ones will restore the growth of hair. Hence, healthy follicles from the donor site are transferred to the bald area through surgical procedures by a hair transplant expert. However, it is equally important to take several precautions after hair transplant for an effective outcome.
This short discussion will focus on some of the key routines to follow and precautions to be taken after hair transplant procedure for faster healing of the scalp and maintaining the health of the follicles.
Pre-hair care will allow the hair transplant process to occur smoothly and avoid any risk or side effects from the procedure. Hence, it is suggested to follow some of the routines a few weeks before the hair transplant procedure such as avoiding smoking and few medications, eating healthy and less spicy foods, reducing caffeine intake, and washing hair with mild shampoo. However, there are few mandatory after hair transplant precautions one needs to pay attention to, for its effective outcome.
We will discuss some of the relevant questions related to hair transplant and know what precautions should be taken after hair transplant.
You will experience gradual and positive changes with the growth of hair after some weeks and months of the hair transplant procedure. Initially the loss of transplanted hair is expected due to the trauma caused during extraction and fixing procedure. However, our need is to get the healthy follicle at the right place and maintain its property. This usual hair fall is seen between 1-5 weeks after the hair transplant procedure. During this week the normal daily activity is carried out and one can even return to work a few days after the treatment. With the advanced technique of hair follicle extraction combined with the skill of the surgeon one would expect a little soreness and redness at the site of transplant. However, this will go away within a few days as the follicles get adapted to the scalp.
The recovery within each week or month can be highlighted in the following table if proper precautions are taken after hair transplant.
Recovery period |
Expected results |
|
0-3 Months |
Week 1 |
Temporary growth of transplanted hair |
Week 2 |
Loss of transplanted hair is expected. |
|
3-6 Months |
3-4 Months |
New hair starts to grow but is more fine and curly. |
4-6 Months |
Hair grows lengthy and becomes thicker but could see patches of hair due to different growth periods. |
|
6-9 Months |
Hair bursting stage with noticeable hair growth and thickening. |
|
9-12 months |
Hair thickness increases further and mimics the donor hair completely. |
Nearly 80% of men are affected with baldness by the age of 50 years - a report revealed by American Hair Loss Association (AHLA). Hair transplant surgery has greatly provided a long term solution for hair loss and hair thinning in both men and women. The lingering question for many is what precaution should be taken after a hair transplant? The effectiveness of any procedure warrants the need of proper post surgery care. Hence taking proper precaution after hair transplant is equally important. Maintain a positive approach and don't overlook the key steps to be followed after the procedure. Some of the precautions to be taken after hair transplant can be highlighted in the following point.
Do’s:
Don'ts:
The most troublesome part for many is to identify a correct sleeping position as after the transplant you don't want to put pressure on the bruised areas. Hence, sleeping on a recliner or in an upright position is recommended especially for at least a week after the surgery. If you are sleeping on a bed, use a pillow properly to keep your head elevated as it will ease the swelling. Avoid tossing and rolling on a pillow as it will scratch the already sore area. In some cases little leakage from the scalp is expected. To avoid staining your pillow, cover it with towels.
After the hair transplant procedure, it is expected to see some scabs or dried blood on the scalp. Shampooing will help with cleaning this area, you can wash gently 2 days after the procedure and perfectly 10 days after surgery. However, it is important to use mild SLS free shampoos and avoid any harsh chemicals or conditioners. Avoid using too cold or too hot water and go with gentle massaging.
After hair transplant precautions also help in managing swelling as the fluid build up needs to be eliminated by the body gradually to avoid any infection. Keeping your head elevated and using anti-inflammatory medication will help reduce the swelling. However, if redness and swelling persists for a few weeks after surgery, it is recommended to consult a doctor.