While thinking about what to eat after hair transplant, a huge range of fruits, high in protein chicken, milk, yogurt, and vegetables full of essential vitamins and minerals should come to your mind.
Other than what to to eat, there are some foods to avoid like trans-fat including processed foods and fizzy drinks. Vegans, vegetarians, and some people with a specific diet list also have to avoid certain foods. We have a word to say to all of you, and here are our key points:
- A HEALTHY DIET INCLUDING VARIETY OF FOODS IS THE BEST AFTER A HAIR TRANSPLANT
- AN APPLE KIND, ANNURCA, IS FOUND TO BE THE BEST FOR HAIR GROWTH
- EATING RED MEAT WILL GIVE YOU ENOUGH PROTEIN FOR HAIR GROWTH
- VEGANS CAN HAVE LOTS OF FRUITS AND SEEDS TO IMPROVE THEIR HAIR TRANSPLANT RESULTS
- ONLY VITAMIN B2, B7, B12 AND B9 ARE DIRECTLY LINKED WITH HEALTHY HAIR FOLLICLES
- PROTEIN, ZINC, OMEGA-3, AND IRON ARE ALL GOOD MINERALS TO HAVE YOUR DIET AFTER HAIR TRANSPLANT
- DRINKING ENOUGH WATER IS ESSENTIAL TO SUPPORT YOUR HAIR TRANSPLANT RESULTS
Foods To Eat After Hair Transplant
A healthy diet after a hair transplant should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein-based foods in proper amounts. Here we listed some really good sources to support your planted hair follicles during your recovery period.
FRUITS | Apple, Avocado, Berries, Orange, Lemon, Kiwi, Tomato, Mango, Pineapple, Banana… | Rich in vitamins C, E, B3, B6, B7 (biotin), and fibres these fruits will help you with the newly growing hair cells after hair transplant. |
VEGETABLES | Spinach, Leafy Greens, Sweet Potato, Broccoli, Pepper | High in zinc, iron, potassium, and antioxidants vegetables are essential for a healthy blood supply to your newly planted hair follicles. |
WHOLE GRAINS AND SEEDS | Nuts, Whole wheat, Oats, Barley, Brown Rice | Great source of zinc, B vitamins, iron and selenium, whole grains will support your new hair follicles by improving amino acid production. |
DAIRY | Milk, Lactose-free Milk, Fortified Soy Milk, Yogurt, Cheese | Dairies are full of protein, lipids, and calcium that will help you grow hair and prevent further hair loss after a hair transplant. |
PROTEIN BASED | Red Meat, Chicken, Mackerel, Eggs, Shrimp, Beef | Protein is one of the essential elements of hair growth. |
The Best Food To Eat After A Hair Transplant: Annurca Apple
You can boost your newly planted hair follicles just with simple bites of apple every day.
Polyphenols that are found in an apple kind called annurca, ignite the production of keratin, AKA the hair growth.
What If You Are A Vegan?
If you are a vegan, and taking care of your vital nutrients in your diet list you should already be getting enough vitamins and minerals for your hair care. For better hair growth after a hair transplant some of the specifics of a vegan’s diet list should include:
- Berries
- Nuts
- Cacao
- Leafy greens
- Seeds
- Avocados
How Can I Increase My Collagen Level With Diet?
You should get enough vitamins E and C, and consume foods that are high in protein to help your body produce collagen. These can be found in many citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, kiwis, and tomatoes.
Role Of Vitamins And Minerals In Hair Growth After A Hair Transplant
Vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) play a vital role in hair growth, especially during the recovery period of a hair transplant. A, C, D, and E, zinc, B vitamins, iron, protein, and essential fatty acids all together help you grow hair that is high in fiber.
Vitamin BS
Vitamin B has many subtypes but only B2 (riboflavin), B7 (biotin), B12, and B9 (folic acid) deficits are associated with hair loss. Here we listed all of them with their specific tasks.
- VITAMIN B2:
Also known as riboflavin, cellular development, and energy production. Rarely, riboflavin deficiency causes hair loss. You can get it through milk, eggs, fortified breakfast cereals. - VITAMIN B7:
Also known as biotin, it helps with hair loss and promotes healthy skin for hair follicles to grow. You can get it by eating a varied and balanced diet. - VITAMIN B12:
Plays a role in DNA synthesis, neurological function, and red blood cell formation which is necessary for healthy hair follicles. You can get it through meat, fish, and milk. - VITAMIN B9:
Also known as folic acid, promotes hair growth, prevents early-age graying, and keeps your hair shiny and voluminous. You can get it through broccoli, brussel sprouts, and leafy green vegetables.
Protein
- Hair follicles are made of protein (amino acids) called keratin
- Not having adequate protein may lead to hair loss according to AAD
- Found in eggs, cheese, pulses, yogurt, and lean meat
Zinc
- Zinc is involved in the synthesis of proteins that promote healthy hair growth
- Lack of zinc in the body may lead to hair loss
- Found in lamb, chickpeas, shrimp, cereals, spinach, eggs, nuts, and seeds.
Vitamin A
- Hydrates the scalp
- Helps the cell growth
- Found in carrots, sweet potatoes, veal liver, cabbage, spinach, and pumpkin
Vitamin E
- Plays a role in healing the damaged tissue
- As an antioxidant, it is good for maintaining hair growth
- Found in almonds, avocados, spinach, sunflower seeds, and olive oil
Vitamin C
- Prevents hair loss, dandruff, and premature graying
- Keeps your hair strong and thick
- Found in Peppers, cabbage, kiwi, broccoli, small grains, and citrus fruits
Vitamin D
- Involves in many different tasks helping in healthy hair growth
- Helps your body produce keratin which helps hair growth
- Found in fish, salmon, oranges, and mushrooms
Potassium
- Helps to nourish the scalp and reduce inflammation
- Keep levels of other minerals such as calcium and magnesium balanced
- Found in sweet potatoes, white beans, spinach, salmon, and avocados
Omega 3
- Might improve hair thickness and growth according to many research
- In a survey made over 6 months, 90% of participants felt hair growth and thickness after taking omega-3 supplements.
- Found in salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, nuts, seeds, and plant oils.
Iron
- Plays a role in blood cell production in your blood which carries oxygen to your hair
- Without enough iron in your body, you may experience hair loss after hair transplant
- Found in spinach, beans, veal, oysters, and veal liver
Selenium
- Excessive or deficiency of selenium causes hair abnormalities according to Seon Wook Hwang from the Department of Dermatology at Inje University
- Selenium supplements are often given for hair loss and can be given after a hair transplant
- Found in whole grains, pork, beef, turkey, chicken, and fish
What To Drink After A Hair Transplant?
Plenty of water! Staying hydrated with water is the best thing you can do to improve your hair transplant results. Listen to your body if you do not know how much water you should drink. The best daily intake amount of water should be whenever you are thirsty.
What Not To Eat After A Hair Transplant?
You should not eat too much of anything. Some of the micronutrients we listed above are essential for your body and hair to be healthy. However, did you know that consuming too much vitamin A causes hair loss? Here, we listed what not to eat after a hair transplant.
TOO MUCH DAIRY PRODUCTS:
High-fat levels in dairy products could increase the testosterone levels in your body. Higher testosterone levels trigger a hormone causing hair loss even after a hair transplant.
TRANS FATS AND PROCESSED FOODS:
Whatever is not healthy for your body, it is not healthy for your hair after a hair transplant, so you should avoid fast food with trans fats.
TOO SPICY, SALTY AND SUGARY DISHES:
Too much of anything is no good for your body, neither for the recently planted hair follicles. Keep your spice, salt and sugar amounts in your food at an optimal level for the best hair transplant results.
TOO MUCH VITAMIN A:
While vitamin A is essential for the hair growth cycle, too much of it can overwhelm the hair cycle causing hair thinning, and hair loss after hair transplant.
TOO MUCH SELENIUM:
While some people consume and get supplements of selenium for hair growth, too much of it can actually cause hair loss.
Which Drinks To Avoid After Hair Transplant?
After a hair transplant you need to stay away from:
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Fizzy drinks
- Processed juices
Can Certain Foods Negatively Interact With Postop Medications?
If you happen to experience an infection, you will be given antibiotics as a cure after a hair transplant. Antibiotics are not the best match with citrus fruits and juices like orange and grapefruit, soda, chocolate, and tomato products.
Association Of Androgenetic Alopecia And Hypertension
If you have hypertension, then you might be likely to experience androgenetic alopecia more than those who are not. Hypertension was strongly associated with androgenetic alopecia according to Dr. Serge Ahouansou.
You can still have gorgeous hair after a hair transplant if you have hypertension, the only thing you should care about is your diet. Instead of having too much salt, sugar, and red meats in your diet, you can opt for plant-based foods and whole grains.
Hair Transplant Post-Op Diet
We prepared a useful booklet for a post-operative diet after a hair transplant. Usually following a healthy diet helps you in general but for our patients, if you are unsure of what to eat here is a meal list for a week enriched in vitamins, minerals, and fibers with healthy sweets.
References:
(1) Badolati N, Sommella E, Riccio G, Salviati E, Heintz D, Bottone S, Di Cicco E, Dentice M, Tenore G, Campiglia P, et al. Annurca Apple Polyphenols Ignite Keratin Production in Hair Follicles by Inhibiting the Pentose Phosphate Pathway and Amino Acid Oxidation. Nutrients. 2018; 10(10):1406. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10101406
(2) Said HM, Ross A. Riboflavin. Modern nutrition in health and disease, 11th edn. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014:325–30.
(3) American Academy of Dermatology Association, Hair Loss: Who Gets and Causes
(4) Saini K, Mysore V. Role of vitamin D in hair loss: A short review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;20(11):3407-3414. doi:10.1111/jocd.14421
(5) Le Floc’h C, Cheniti A, Connétable S, Piccardi N, Vincenzi C, Tosti A. Effect of a nutritional supplement on hair loss in women. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2015;14(1):76-82. doi:10.1111/jocd.12127
(6) Hwang SW, Lee HJ, Suh KS, et al. Changes in murine hair with dietary selenium excess or deficiency. Exp Dermatol. 2011;20(4):367-369. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0625.2010.01207.x
(7) Ahouansou S, Le Toumelin P, Crickx B, Descamps V. Association of androgenetic alopecia and hypertension. Eur J Dermatol. 2007;17(3):220-222. doi:10.1684/ejd.2007.0152
