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So many actions you take during the post-op period will be important for your overall results. These aftercare instructions provide you with plenty of information on what to expect after a hair transplant.
Follow these instructions carefully and refer back to them when you are unsure about how to take care of your scalp properly after a hair transplant.
No Alcohol 5 Days
You should avoid alcohol for at least 5 DAYS after your procedure. Alcohol can impact the correct healing of the wounds and make you bleed more post-op. Moreover, you will be taking antibiotics after the operation.
No sweating 15 Days
Patients should avoid excessive sweating post-op for 1 MONTH in order to prevent damage to the transplanted grafts. If living in a hot climate, it’s recommended to stay indoors as much as possible for 2-3 weeks post transplant.
Avoid touching the newly-grafted scalp 2 weeks
For 2 WEEKS you will need to avoid touching the receiving area of your transplant. By touching the area you can permanently displace the implanted grafts. The only exception will be for your daily washes.
No Sauna/Solarium 1 month
You should avoid the sauna, steam baths or staying in very hot places. These places can cause excessive sweating. Also, a solarium can cause permanent spots on your skin. You should avoid these places for 1 MONTH after the hair transplant
No smoking 1 week
Nicotine stiffens blood vessels and narrows them. This both delays the recovery and affects the new hair growth negatively. You should avoid smoking at least 1 WEEK post-op.
No intense exercises 1 Month
Please avoid intensive sport that could lead to excessive sweating or hits and injuries for 1 MONTH. These include, among others: running, weightlifting, bodybuilding, football, basketball, volleyball. Light exercise such as walking is possible after the 4 DAY post-op.
Avoid sunlight 2 Months
One of the most important precautions to take after a hair transplant is avoiding direct sunlight 2 MONTHS. Too much direct sun exposure does not only damages the surface of the scalp, it can also affect the deeper tissues and cause serious harm and create sunspots.
No swimming 1 Month
You should avoid swimming for 1 MONTH after a hair transplant. This period gives the grafts and donor area time to heal and there should be no concern for infection.
Back to work 6 days
A patient can go back to work after 5 DAYS post-op. However, people with heavy-duty jobs should wait longer to return to their work, ideally 7-14 days.
Sexual intercourse 5 Days
Sexual intercourse may cause a person to sweat or hit their head. Avoid sexual intercourse for 5-7 DAYS.
No hat/helmet 1 month
You should avoid wearing a helmet or hats for 1 MONTH. Wearing a helmet or hat after a hair transplant operation might harm you newly implanted hair grafts and you may end up losing your hair.
No bending 3 days
Patients should avoid bending for 3 DAYS. By doing so you’ll protect your grafts from popping out or bleeding too much. This is also an important factor and something easy to avoid.
Careful while coughing/sneezing 2 weeks
Even if it’s unlikely you will damage a graft by coughing or sneezing, is best to keep your head upright and avoid any sudden movements such as intense coughing and sneezing post-op.
No scratching 1 month
It is important to avoid scratching for 1 MONTH as it can remove grafts and scabs and delay the healing process. Rather than scratching your scalp with your nail, you can gently rub the area after one week.
Daily change of pillowcases 10 Days
To prevent infection after hair transplant, it’s crucial you always have clean sheets and pillowcases for 10 DAYS. Make sure to use detergent free from allergens and perfume so you do not irritate or inflame the scalp as it heals.
Sleeping face up 10 Days
Patients need to sleep face up with their head elevated at least 45 degrees for 10 DAYS, using a neck pillow. This way you won’t displace grafts or ruin your transplant.
Avoiding dangerous movements 10 Days
You should avoid possibly dangerous movement for 10 DAYS such as turning your head quickly or bumping your head on a headboard or going out of a car. This may ruin your transplant.
Sleeping with a neck pillow 10 Days
Sleeping properly helps patients heal properly and keeps the hair grafts intact. Patients need to sleep face up with their head elevated at least 45 degrees for 10 DAYS, using a neck pillow. You need to avoid anything during the first few days that could disturb the new grafts from taking a firm hold in your scalp.
No bumping your head2 Months
For the first 2 MONTHS, bumping the head may result in a lost graft. This is why you should be careful not to bump your head anywhere after your hair transplant.
No hair dye 4 - 6 Months
It is important to wait a minimum of 4 to 6 MONTHS (or until the scalp has completely healed) before dying the hair because newly implanted hair follicles are sensitive. Harsh dyes can interfere with HAIR growth during recovery.
Ice Packs 5 Days
You should put a cold compress or some ice after a hair transplant on your forehead. Keep the ice pack at least 2-3 cm away from the frontal hairline where grafts were placed. Begin using ice packs immediately after the surgery and continue for the next 5 DAYS. It will make you feel better and can reduce swelling. Be careful not to get too close to the implanted area.
Haircut with electric razor 4 Months
You can use a razor 4 MONTHS after a hair transplant. If you want to get a haircut scissors are allowed after a month.
Haircut with scissors 1 Months
A haircut with scissors is allowed after 1 MONTH; you should also tell your barber to be careful with movement to not harm the area.
Swelling of the scalp 1 Week
Face swelling after the hair transplant usually occurs between the 2nd and 7th DAY after the surgery. To minimize swelling in the forehead or around the eyes, you can apply an ice pack over the eyebrows for 15 minutes every hour, not on the grafts.
Lack of sensation on the scalp 3-6 Weeks
Numbness may occur for a short period of time. It returns to normal in 3 WEEKS but sometimes it can take up to 6 weeks. The lack of sensation will decrease and go away over a period of time with the regeneration of the sensory nerves.
Burning Sensation 5 Days
You may experience a burning sensation for 2 to 5 DAYS in the recipient and the donor areas after hair transplan. It’s usually a tolerable sensation that should not worry the patient.
Itchy and red implanted area 2 Weeks
Itching is a sign of healing and it is completely normal to feel for A COUPLE OF DAYS after the operation. Do not scratch or pick at the transplanted area. Itching may continue for up to two weeks.
Use of Minoxidil 3 Weeks
Minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, is a topical medication that stimulates new hair growth after hair transplant. Minoxidil strengthens the hair growth cycle and delays the hair loss cycle. You may start using it after 3 WEEKS.
Keeping the area moist 1 Week
You need to keep the area moist and well hydrated for 1 WEEK after your transplant to keep your skin to get dry and itchy and to help the correct healing.
No hairdresser 1 Month
Patients need to wait at least 1 MONTH following their hair transplant to get a haircut and go to their hairdresser. Waiting for the scalp to completely heal will allow optimum hair growth results.x
Keeping a healthy diet 5 Months
What you eat also will help the healthy growth and strengthening of the new hair follicles. In this process, being careful about nutrition will increase the rate of cell regeneration and will help to shorten the recovery time after hair transplant.
Hair shedding 1-2 Months
Hair shedding after a hair transplant (medically known as shock loss) is quite common. Shedding of newly transplanted hair is considered to be a normal after-effect. Shock hair loss is completely natural and triggers regrowth of the transplanted follicles.
Starting of the new hair growth 2-3 Months
In the first few months after the operation, the patient will notice new hair growth. This new growth cycle can vary from patient to patient.
Significant difference in appearance 4 Months
In this moment, you will notice your hair becoming more and more natural in appearance, like they always were.
Phase of high density6-8 Months
At this time, the density will be higher and the patient will notice the results get better and better.
Final result 12-18 Months
The final results of the hair transplant will be visible within 12 and 18 months.
