December 31, 2022

Hair Transplant Surgery Tips - Before & After

Hair transplant surgery is a life-changing procedure that requires careful consideration. It’s not as simple as walking into a salon and walking out with hair extensions. There are some things you should do both before and after the transplant procedure to ensure that you get the best results possible throughout your hair restoration journey. We are here to help you every step of the way and we’re coming to you today with tips for both before and after your hair transplant surgery. What You Should Do Before Hair Transplant SurgeryYour doctor will provide you with a list of specific instructions prior to your surgery. It’s important to follow them carefully to ensure your safety and the best possible outcome from your procedure. Here are a few general helpful tips. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol- Ideally, you should avoid both for a week before and after your procedure, as they can increase bleeding risk and slow healing. You need to refrain from smoking for a minimum of 24 hours and abstain from alcohol for a minimum of 3 days before your procedure.  Stop cutting your hair- The hair in the donor area needs time to grow, so cancel your haircut appointments for the time your surgeon recommends before your procedure Massage your scalp for 10-20 minutes per day- Giving your scalp a daily massage for 2 weeks prior to the surgery will help strengthen and tone the tissues to prepare your scalp for the surgery. Discuss your medications, vitamins, and supplements with your doctor- Some medications may need to be avoided for as long as 2 weeks before and after the surgery. This is especially true of anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning medications. And don’t forget to discuss any vitamins and supplements as well, including herbal products.  Share your medical history with your surgeon- It’s important to disclose your full medical history to your surgeon so that your team can develop the best plan of care for you. They need to know about diseases or disorders that you currently have or have had in the past, especially allergies, cardiovascular and bleeding problems. Treat any skin conditions you may have before the date of your surgery. If you suffer from any skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, fungal or bacterial infections, or any others, it’s important that they be treated and suppressed before your surgery. This is especially true of any that affect your scalp. Stay out of the sun- If your scalp gets sunburned the surgery will have to be postponed until the burn has healed, so keep your head covered when you’re outside and avoid the sun as much as possible in the days prior to surgery. Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes- You should arrive for your appointment wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothes, and preferably a button or zip-up shirt to avoid harming your surgery sites trying to change a pullover after surgery. Follow doctor’s orders- Your surgeon will provide a list of instructions about when and how to wash your hair, when you should stop eating, what medications to take or not take, and any tests you should have prior to your surgery. Be sure to carefully follow all of them. What To Do After Hair Transplant Surgery Once the procedure is done the most important thing to do is to be patient. It takes time to see the amazing results of the surgery. You will receive a list of aftercare instructions from your surgeon specific to the procedure you’ve had done. Follow those carefully. There are also some general tips that can make your recovery easier, and some things you should avoid while recovering. Elevate your head and use a neck pillow- You might find it difficult to get into a comfortable sleeping position immediately after your surgery. Resting in an elevated position with a neck pillow can help relieve pressure on the donor area to make you more comfortable. Do not scratch- This may be easier said than done, but do not scratch your scalp. Skin typically itches as it heals, and this includes your scalp. Scratching can damage delicate grafts, so apply the anti-itch medication as prescribed and do not scratch under any circumstance. Turning down your thermostat and keeping the room cooler can help tame the itch as well. Keep the area clean and dry- Your surgeon will give you instructions on how and when to wash your hair after your procedure and may provide a special shampoo to use and may also provide a cap to protect the area from the elements. Do not wash your hair or get your hair wet until you’ve been instructed to do so or you could damage the grafts, and if instructed keep the area covered to help keep it clean.  Avoid saunas and sunlight- Sunlight can damage delicate tissues as they heal, and heat and sweating can cause itching, and stinking, and damage sensitive areas as well. So keep your head covered and out of direct sunlight and stay away from saunas until your scalp is fully healed, usually 6-8 weeks. It may seem like a lot to remember and keep up with all of the before and aftercare associated with hair transplant surgery, but your efforts will repay you with a fuller, healthier-looking head of hair in just a few weeks. The confidence and self-esteem you will gain will be well worth your efforts. If you’re ready to embark on your own personal hair restoration journey, schedule a discreet and private consultation at the Hair Restoration Institute to discuss your hair transplant options. We will evaluate your hair and scalp health and degree of hair loss and discuss the best treatment options available to restore your hair. Call us at 612-588-HAIR (4247) for your complimentary consultation. You can find us at 8030 Old Cedar Ave S Ste 202 in Bloomington, MN.