How to Sleep After a Hair Transplant?

Choosing a hair transplant is an excellent treatment for some types of hair loss, such as male and female pattern baldness.

Over the past few years, hair transplants have been increasingly popular, largely due to the influence of celebrities like Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, and Elton John. In fact, since 2019, hair restoration treatments have increased by 5%, according to recent research from the ISHRS. 

If you recently underwent hair transplantation, you know the significant boost in confidence the procedure can provide. You must follow a healing procedure to get the most out of your hair transplant.

A common concern is getting a good night’s sleep following a hair transplant without disrupting the healing process. Continue reading to learn more if you’re worried about how you’ll sleep after having hair transplant surgery.

How Should I Sleep After a Hair Transplant?

Sleeping on your back is the most crucial position after hair transplant surgery. Steer clear of sleeping on your side or in any other posture that puts your head in close contact with your pillow. 

To prevent you from turning over while you sleep, use a bed pillow and place a travel/neck pillow on your neck to keep your scalp at a safe angle from the pillow’s surface. 

Moreover, additional pillows can support your head’s elevation, crucial during the first two weeks following your hair transplant procedure.

What to Do and What not to Do Following a Hair Transplant?

It’s essential to adhere to particular instructions following hair transplant surgery to guarantee the best results and accelerate the recovery process.

Dos

• Buy a neck/travel pillow to help keep you from falling asleep in a side sleeping position.
• Extra pillows can be utilized to elevate the head sufficiently.
• Ensure you replace your pad or bandage before bed because liquids will collect inside, and the area must be kept clean.
• Consult your hair transplant surgeon for pain relief if necessary.
• Take prescribed medication as directed.
• Follow the post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon.

Don’ts

• Don’t let your head rub into anything.
• Don’t sleep on your side.
• Don’t drink alcohol (you can get sleepy and forget that you can’t put your head on anything or turn it over).
• Don’t toss and turn; your head may rub across the pillows.
• Avoid using sleeping medication as it can lead to drowsiness.

Following these guidelines can ensure a smoother recovery process and increase the likelihood of achieving satisfactory results from your hair transplant procedure. 

Why Is It Crucial That You Sleep On Your Back Following A Hair Transplant Procedure?

Since your scalp isn’t actively forced against a surface, sleeping on your back with the head elevated helps reduce swelling and protect the hair grafts.

This is the crucial healing phase since the grafts aren’t secure during the first two weeks following a hair transplant. Your sleeping position is important because, following any type of hair transplant, the newly transplanted hair follicles are vulnerable to harm if inadequate care is not followed.

After the procedure, it’s common for the area where the hair was transplanted to hurt. Excess anesthesia typically leaks from the scalp into the replaceable pad on the first night. Therefore, you’ll need extra care to ensure that scabbing doesn’t stick to your pillow.

Even if hair transplants are safe, there is a chance that the grafted hair may come loose or be uprooted because it is not yet stable, especially if the area in the head where the transplant took place comes into touch with the pillow’s surface. It could require repeating the hair transplant process in addition to being unpleasant, leaving scars, and posing an infection risk.

Why Is It So Important To Follow These Sleep Guidelines Following A Hair Transplant?

You must sleep on your back in the position that is indicated above. You should also avoid sleeping positions that may pressure your scalp graft sites. For example, placing your operated head on a pillow could damage the delicate hair follicle grafts. In particular, sleeping prone (on your stomach) or on your side transfers your head’s weight to the transplant site. Press your fragile new grafts up against the pillow’s surface. It greatly increases the likelihood of problems such as:

• Haematomas: Blood clots under graft sites.
• Infections: These compromise the life of grafts.
• Graft dislodgement: Possibility of new follicles emerging from incisions.

The graft healing process may also be impeded by compromised blood flow from pressure. Following improper post-operative sleep guidelines also significantly increases the risk of oedema and swelling. More than eighty percent of patients who slept on their backs appropriately did not experience difficulties from oedema, according to a supported clinical study. It demonstrates the importance of adhering to specific posture instructions during the initial healing phase following a hair restoration procedure.

When Can I Return To Normal Sleep?

You should sleep with the replaceable pads for the first ten days since they shield your scalp and collect any extra fluid. You should be able to give your hair a gentle hand wash by the sixth day. 

The hair transplants should be established, and scabs should disappear after the second week. To preserve the hair follicles and grafts as they anchor, you must still exercise caution when sleeping properly and avoid harsh contact with the scalp. 

After around ten days following the transplant, you ought to be able to sleep comfortably. This duration facilitates the correct anchoring of the transplanted hair follicles. 

Even while you may normally go back to sleeping in your usual position after this point, you should still ensure that the scalp doesn’t make too much contact with the pillow’s surface because the hair grafts are still sensitive.

What Type of Pillowcase Is Best for Me Following a Hair Transplant?

Avoid using cotton or synthetic pillowcases while you sleep. The friction produced by these materials might damage hair follicles. Damage and breakage of hair may arise from this. Silk or satin pillowcases, on the other hand, are the best because they are gentle and smooth to hair.

Keep Bedding Clean

Ensuring the surgery site doesn’t get infected is also crucial. Therefore, surgeons could also advise you to thoroughly wash your bed linens, pillowcases, and sheets. When washing the bedding, remove cleaning products that irritate the scalp or trigger an allergic reaction. It’s important to refrain from scratching the scalp as it heals. Hair breakage and loss may result from scratching the donor and grafted regions. 

Additionally, you might wish to cover your pillows with a nice, dark towel. The scalp may leak blood and other fluids during the healing process following surgery. The towel will prevent your pillowcases from discoloring throughout the healing process.

What hair transplant treatment has a slower recovery time?

The length and simplicity of your hair transplant recovery will depend on the kind of surgery you underwent. According to the National Library of Medicine, a FUE transplant has the advantage of requiring less time to recuperate after surgery and leaving less scarring. On the other hand, because a FUT transplant involves more invasive procedures, the healing period following treatment is longer. 

Depending on your procedure, there can be certain side effects, but your doctor should tell you what to expect following your hair transplantation.

How long will I have to rest after a hair transplant procedure?

Although a hair transplant can’t seem invasive, you must take some time off work due to swelling and give your scalp enough time to heal before returning. Naturally, it might be unsettling to be out of work for a brief period; nevertheless, you and the specialist should talk about the optimum time to get back to work safely. 

Moreover, you should refrain from doing anything physically demanding, like working out, since it might make you sweat, which feeds bacteria. 

Importance of sleep hygiene following hair transplant

Research indicates that getting enough sleep significantly supports the body’s ability to mend after medical treatment. Good sleep hygiene is highly advised to maximize graft recovery following hair restoration surgery. 

Here are a few tips for encouraging deep, unbroken sleep:

• Maintain regular wake-up and bedtime routines every day, especially on the weekends.
• Steer clear of overstimulating devices or activities right before bed. Take part in calmer, more carefree, wind-down activities.
• After spending over twenty minutes in bed and still not feeling sleepy, get out of bed briefly and engage in a quiet activity in dimly lit surroundings.
• Before going to bed, writing down ideas in a journal can calm an anxious mind.

Maintaining good sleep hygiene makes it more likely that you will get enough deep, restorative sleep, which is necessary for your body to heal after a hair transplantation.

How long does a hair transplant take to heal?

The recipient area—where the new hair grows—and the donor area—from where the hair grafts were taken—heal in the early post-hair transplant days. Initial bandaging of the donor location is done, and some post-procedural leaking and inflammation are seen as typical. 

The scabs that grow on these areas will cause itching. You should not pick at or scratch your scabs to speed up healing. Let them fall off on their own. We advise utilizing these treatments and tips if you have an itchy scalp following a hair transplant:

• Use medicated shampoo
• Take antihistamines
• If your hair transplant surgeon recommends it, use a steroid scalp solution.
• Don’t scratch the itch.

You should begin to feel better by week two, at which point the inflammation should have decreased. You can tolerate the itching for a bit longer, and it should go away soon. Taking preventative measures, such as refraining from vigorous exercise for around two weeks, is crucial.

The healing process should be finished, and your discomfort should be at an all-time low after a month. Typically, hair grows to cover the donor area, but the recipient area, where your new hair won’t show up for another two months, is still sensitive and needs to be handled carefully. 

How Can I Accelerate Healing After a Hair Transplant?

Following a hair transplant procedure in Orange County, you can take certain things to guarantee a quick and seamless recovery process, such as the following:

• Steer clear of exercise or physical activity that raises your heart rate or makes you sweat. Sweating may exacerbate scalp itching, leading to scratching and hair graft damage.
• If you want the healing process to go more quickly, give up smoking and alcohol. These actions directly affect your scalp’s and head’s blood supply.
• Consume a vitamin- and mineral-rich, well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
• Avoid touching, rubbing, or scratching your scalp.
• During the first 14 days following surgery, try to limit the time your scalp is exposed to direct sunlight.

Conclusion

The success of your hair transplant depends on how you sleep following the procedure. The secret is to sleep on your back to prevent harm to the hair follicles or grafts. 

You’ll feel better soon if you follow your surgeon’s instructions! If you are interested in hair transplants and looking for a hair transplant clinic in Orange County, then Neograft Hair Restoration Orange County is the place you can rely on. Call us at (949) 644-1641 to schedule a consultation.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions.

What precautions should I take while sleeping after a hair transplant?

It’s crucial to avoid any actions that may put pressure on the transplanted area, such as rubbing or scratching the scalp while sleeping. Additionally, refrain from using tight headwear or covering the scalp with anything that might disrupt the healing process. Follow your surgeon’s specific instructions for post-operative care to ensure optimal results.

What is the best sleeping position after a hair transplant?

The best sleeping position after a hair transplant is typically on your back with your head elevated. It helps reduce pressure on the scalp and minimizes the risk of damaging the grafts while they’re still healing.

Will I be comfortable sleeping after a hair transplant?

Initially, you may experience discomfort and difficulty finding a comfortable position to sleep due to swelling and tightness in the scalp. However, as the healing progresses, you should gradually feel more comfortable. Using extra pillows to support your head and neck can help alleviate discomfort.