After a hair transplant, recovery takes about 10–14 days. Patients should anticipate their transplanted scalp’s swelling, redness, and scabbing during healing. These symptoms resolve in ten to fourteen days.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reports that between 2008 and 2019, the number of hair transplant surgeries performed worldwide increased by 157%. Data reveals a 35% increase in hair transplants performed in the UK alone since 2016. However, why?
Hair transplants have been extremely popular in the last ten years due to a leading group of celebrities who have branded the surgery as socially acceptable in their candid, open conversations about previous surgeries. It has led to hair transplants becoming a popular procedure many people look forward to.
You’ve made a significant step in regaining your hair and confidence after experiencing years of hair loss. You’ve completed all the steps for a FUE hair transplant, including extensive research and determining the number of hair grafts required.
Even though you may have tried some non-surgical hair loss treatments, you’ve decided and are almost ready for a FUE hair transplant. It’s time to start considering your recovery and aftercare for your hair transplant.
FUE Hair Transplant Aftercare
Even though a hair transplant is a simple process that usually takes a single day to complete, the healing and aftercare phases of the procedure are crucial and should be handled as such.
Numerous things must be considered, including the dos and don’ts throughout the recuperation period and any potential adverse effects. We will go over the entire aftercare and recovery process in this guide, noting any potential side effects and answering any questions you might have about things like washing your freshly transplanted hair or going back to work.
The aftercare following a hair transplant is customized for each patient, much like all other treatments offered by Neograft Hair Restoration Orange County. We want to address all of your questions and concerns before the hair loss treatment but feel free to ask any additional questions you may have during your first consultation if you need more information or advice.
The Consultation
The post-operative phase starts before the actual procedure. Once we’ve established contact, we’ll invite you in for the first consultation. To create a customized hair transplant plan, one of our skilled surgeons will examine your hair during the consultation and walk you through the process.
Our goal is to understand better FUE hair transplantation and the aftercare and recovery instructions necessary for a successful patient journey during your hair transplant consultation session.
Your FUE hair transplant surgery date and time will be set after the consultation and an approach has been decided upon. A patient must ensure that their work schedule won’t conflict with the operation, aftercare, and the hair transplant recovery period.
The day of the FUE hair transplant procedure
We are proud of our unmatched patient journey at Neograft Hair Restoration Orange County. What to expect on the day of your procedure is listed below:
- Our welcoming team will greet you when you arrive and provide you with your choice of drinks.
- You and the surgeon will walk through the surgery in the morning.
- To anesthetize the places that will acquire new hair and the back of the head, you will be given comfort medications and numbing injections.
- We start delicately removing the hair follicles on your head’s donor area.
- To protect the hair follicles, they are cooled on petri dishes. To create the density and hairstyle a patient wants, we divide them into bundles.
- We draw out your ideal hairline or the area that must be filled in before starting the hair transplant procedure to ensure you are completely satisfied.
- Once more, the targeted area within the scalp is numbed, and hair follicle implantation starts.
- They are positioned with care to complement the density and direction of the natural hair, which will gradually grow into the style you choose.
What happens after the FUE hair transplant surgery?
The follicles become visible to the patient immediately following surgery, allowing them to observe the shape of their new hairline. We will prepare the patient for the hair transplant recovery and aftercare process as soon as the procedure is complete and they are comfortable.
We provide an unparalleled service that guarantees the patient the best care, direction, and safety. This includes:
- Bandage the extraction zone to prevent hazardous bacteria or dirt entering small incisions. Additionally, we advise leaving the bandage on till the following day at least.
- Provide your hair with a cap to protect it from the weather for the following few days. The surgeon will talk about how long the patient must wear this cap.
- An aftercare kit that includes all the supplies and medications required to maintain the healthiest possible condition for your scalp and hair
- Thorough instructions on how to maintain your newly grown hair
- Follow-up consultations if necessary.
- Contact our surgeons during your recovery if you have any questions.
- 1-year review and follow up
Once we have given you all the information you need for aftercare, a patient can return home and begin their recovery.
We actively encourage our patients to submit photos to us before and after their recovery so we can evaluate them and check in with them regularly to see how their hair regrowth journey is progressing. Patients now have the opportunity to ask any additional questions they may have.
How Do You Take Care of Hair After Hair Transplant Surgery?
A summary of the aftercare advice for patients is provided below. Please be aware that these are only general suggestions and that specific points may change following the surgeon’s post-operative visit. During your time with us, you will receive comprehensive instructions, a set of specialized hair care products, headgear, and medicine, all of which are included in the package fee.
Hair Wash
For this reason, every patient should have a unique hair wash regimen for the first two weeks after surgery. Hair washing is one of the most significant factors that might affect the outcome of a hair transplant.
There are three primary steps in the hair wash process:
- After applying lotion, oil, foam, or any other appropriate moisturizer, the transplanted region is left in this condition for 15 to 30 minutes. Scratches surrounding the donor area and transplanted grafts become softer as a result. This softening stage facilitates quicker healing and helps get rid of dried blood traces. Warm water should be used to wash the scalp thoroughly after 15 to 30 minutes. Specialized medical shampoo is applied to donor and transplanted areas. To achieve this, gently apply a small amount of shampoo to the entire scalp by lathering it between your hands. Avoid rubbing. Every washing stage needs to be done gently with no pressure at all, using your palms. Ensure you thoroughly rinse it to ensure the scalp is free of any remaining substance.
- Use a paper towel to pat dry your hair after washing it. Just give it a gentle pat instead of rubbing. Use the moisturizer until the scabs come off. If you continue to feel dry in your hair, you can additionally apply the moisturize cream in between washes.
- Shampooing must be done daily in order to get rid of the scabs. There shouldn’t be any more signs of scabs or dried blood on the scalp after 7 to 10 days. You can resume regular hair washing at most fourteen days following the transplant. After the procedure, washing hair more than once daily is also an option if necessary. Until the bottle is empty, keep using the unique shampoo.
If a patient buys his hair products, please ensure they are free of perfume, silicone, and dyes. For any questions concerning the washing procedure, please call us at (949) 644-1641.
Pain Following A Hair Transplant
There may be mild pain during the first few days following the hair transplant process. A few people said they had trouble falling asleep in the early aftercare days. After the procedure, it’s typical to experience more pain in the donor than in the receiving area. During the second healing week, some patients sometimes experience soreness in the donor area; this is quite normal as the tissue heals. Over-the-counter medications can help with post-operative pain after hair transplant surgery. At the clinic, you will receive a pack of them. Please feel free to contact us for prompt advice if the pain is particularly intense or out of the ordinary in any way.
Swelling Following A Hair Transplant
Swelling is uncommon in hair transplants with Sapphire FUE or DHI techniques. It appears to occur more often in more significant hair transplant techniques and transplants requiring substantial work on the hairline. The forehead and the region surrounding the eyes may experience swelling, lasting two to five days, and peaks on the fourth day. Dexamethasone is prescribed to treat these symptoms.
Itching After Hair Restoration
Itching is a pretty frequent post-transplant feeling. It could appear all over the scalp 7–14 days following the procedure. Most of the time, itching is a sign that the tissue is healing. When it gets too bad, antihistamine pills might be taken. In extremely rare instances, skin infections can be the source of itching. If you observe pimples with white peaks in the implant area, please send us pictures so that we can confirm the precise diagnosis. Even in the event of an infection, topical antibiotic creams are typically sufficient to treat it.
Proper Sleeping Position
For the first week following the hair procedure, avoiding touching the recipient areas as much as possible is crucial. Patients are asked to sleep on their backs with a couple of pillows raised above their heads. The pillows help lessen the edema from hair transplant surgery by raising your head while sleeping. Patients who want to restrict their head movement during the night may utilize a towel wrapped around their neck. Alternatively, you can use a travel pillow for nine days after surgery. For best effects, ensure that you sleep in the right position.
Transplant Recovery Times And Healing
Healing happens quickly following hair transplants done with Choi Implanter Pens (DHI technique) or Sapphire FUE. Most patients recover completely in a day or two after surgery, while some numbness and minor scalp soreness may last for a few days. Punctate red scabs may appear at the base of your transplanted hair shafts from the donor and recipient areas, typically lasting around seven to ten days. After surgery, the patient often regains his or her usual appearance 10 to 15 days later. After this time, only a small redness might be apparent. Individuals with extremely fair skin tones may be red for extended durations following treatment, while darker skin and hair patients heal more quickly. The healing process following a hair transplant is highly personalized and influenced by the patient’s age, way of life, diet, and even the environment.
If Beard Hair Is Used As The Donor Area
Certain clinics frequently employ the beard (throat area) as a donor area. As long as there aren’t any additional scabs, the beard donor location in these situations can be shaven one week following the procedure.
Shaving Following Hair Transplantation
One month following the transplant, the recipient area is OK to shave. As long as the scabs from the donor site have fallen off, donor areas can be shaved as soon as one week after surgery.
Shock Loss And Transplanted Hair Growth
Shock loss typically occurs in the first two to four weeks following transplant. Implanted hairs may occasionally shed along with the scabs. The lost grafts begin to regrow gradually after the third to fifth month. The regrowth rate should be approximately 30% at the end of the fifth month and approximately 60% at the end of the seventh month. The operation’s results should be assessed a full year after the procedure.
Putting On A Hat Following A Hair Transplant
Some clinics will give you a headpiece, which you should wear anytime you go outside or on your way home. This headgear will protect Your scalp from the sun, dust, and other environmental factors. Do wear that hat for seven days following surgery; beyond that, feel free to wear any hat you like. Selecting a headpiece for the post-operative stage that won’t drag on the recently transplanted grafts or fit too snugly over the recipient areas. Please cover your head outside for up to two weeks or until the scabs go off. Maintaining the cleanliness of your headgear is also crucial to preventing infections in the delicate parts of your scalp.
Sports Following The Transplant
You can begin taking short walks or doing low-impact exercise when you receive your hair transplant. Seven to nine days after surgery, you can begin vigorous exercise. In order to reduce the risk of infections, it is advised to shower soon after exercising. As long as the scalp is not injured, there are no restrictions on your physical activity once the scabs come out.
Hair Restoration And Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)
Three months should pass before undergoing any form of scalp manipulation following surgery. It won’t affect the procedure if SMP treatment is completed before the hair transplant.
Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol will prolong the time it takes for wounds to heal following hair transplantation. Waiting till one week after surgery will be preferable.
Sun Exposure Following Hair Transplant Surgery
Avoiding direct sunlight for the first two weeks following the procedure is crucial. Wearing headgear in the sun is advised during the first six months following the transplant. Months following the transplant, the patient’s scalp is still sensitive, and it may burn more quickly than usual.
Hair Product And Medication Recommendations
- Shampoo, conditioner, and hair wash foam. Everyone who has surgery receives a special shampoo with foam following the procedure. Applying foam to the donor and recipient sites is recommended. It should be left on for fifteen to thirty minutes before washing it off with shampoo and lukewarm water. Please use extreme caution when handling the towel and try not to scratch the recipient’s skin. You should wash your hair every day till all the scabs come off. The patient can buy any infant shampoo (preferably a pharmacy brand) that is free of silicone, perfume, and harsh chemicals if, for whatever reason, he does not have the particular hair care items from the clinic.
- Antibiotics following hair transplantation. Immediately following surgery, antibiotics are typically recommended for three to five days. They are employed to guarantee a speedy healing process and to stave off potential infections. Antibiotics are given to some patients at the clinic. It may be necessary to apply antibiotic cream (Bacitracin or Fusidin) at some point as the healing process advances. This cream can be used directly to irritated areas if bumps or pimples are observed in the donor or recipient areas.
- Minoxidil. It can be recommended if required. Male patients should utilize version 5%, while female patients should use version 2%. Utilized to reduce natural hair loss and hasten grafts’ regeneration after transplantation. Minoxidil can be utilized when the donor and recipient areas fully heal one month after the transplant.
Say Goodbye to Baldness: Schedule Your Hair Transplant Consultation Now!
Say goodbye to baldness and hello to a fuller head of hair with the help of Neograft Hair Restoration Orange County! Our expert team specializes in cutting-edge hair transplant solutions that deliver natural-looking results. Whether you’re experiencing thinning hair or a receding hairline, we’re here to help you regain confidence. Take the first step towards a transformed appearance by scheduling your Orange County hair transplant consultation today.
For questions or more information, call us at (949) 644-1641.
Hair Transplant Aftercare FAQs
1. What is the recovery time after a hair transplant?
Recovery typically takes about 10–14 days. Patients may experience swelling, redness, and scabbing during this period, but these symptoms generally resolve within the same timeframe.
2. What should I expect on the day of my FUE hair transplant procedure?
You’ll receive a warm welcome, comfort medications, and numbing injections on the procedure day. The surgeon will explain the process as hair follicles are gently extracted and implanted into the desired areas of your scalp.
3. How should I wash my hair after the transplant?
For the first two weeks, a specific hair wash regimen should be followed. This includes applying a gentle moisturizer, using specialized medical shampoo, and avoiding vigorous scrubbing to promote healing.
4. What are the common side effects after a hair transplant?
Common side effects include mild pain, swelling around the forehead and eyes, itching, and numbness. These are usually manageable with over-the-counter medications and may resolve within a week or two.
5. When can I return to regular activities after my hair transplant?
Light activities can begin soon after the procedure, with more vigorous exercises allowed around 7 to 9 days post-surgery. It is essential to avoid activities that could harm the scalp until the scabs have fallen off.
6. How can I protect my scalp from sun exposure after the transplant?
It is crucial to avoid direct sunlight for the first two weeks after surgery. Afterward, wearing a hat is recommended for up to six months to protect your sensitive scalp from sunburn.
7. Is it normal to experience shock loss after the transplant?
Shock loss may occur within the first two to four weeks, where implanted hairs may shed along with scabs. Hair regrowth typically starts between the third and fifth months.
8. When can I shave my hair after a transplant?
You can shave the recipient area one month after the transplant, while the donor area can usually be shaved a week after surgery, provided the scabs have fallen off.
9. What kind of products should I use after my hair transplant?
Use gentle, silicone-free, and fragrance-free shampoos. Your clinic will provide specific post-operative hair care products and instructions on their usage.
10. When should I follow up with my surgeon?
Follow-up consultations are recommended to monitor your recovery and hair growth progress. Regular check-ins are encouraged to address any concerns during the healing process.
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