How To Ensure The Best Results From Your Hair Transplant

How To Ensure The Best Results From Your Hair Transplant

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You’ve struggled with hair loss long enough; now, you’re finally ready to do something about it. You’ve chosen Seattle for your hair transplant and picked a highly qualified surgeon. You feel confident in your decision to move forward with hair transplant surgery.

Since you already had your consultation, you know what the prep and surgery will be like, but what about after the procedure? How do you care for your scalp after hair transplant surgery so you can get the best possible results?

Steps To Help You Get The Best Results From Your Hair Transplant

Don’t Touch Your Scalp Or New Grafts:

Skip the scalp massages for two weeks or so. Touching your scalp after hair transplant surgery might cause you to get an infection, which is definitely a complication you want to avoid.

It could also damage your new grafts if you touch your scalp or wash it before your surgeon gives you the go-ahead. If the grafts can’t heal and take root because they’re damaged, they won’t be able to grow.

Keep Your Scalp Clean (But Don’t Wash It Everyday):

Whatever your regular hair-washing routine is, you’ll need to take a new approach–at least for a while. You shouldn’t wash your hair until the second or third day after surgery. You want to give your grafts a chance to settle into your scalp and begin to heal before you wash them.

When you do wash your hair, use a very gentle touch and don’t put pressure on your scalp. While you’re still in the early post-op stages, you don’t want to use any harsh chemicals or shampoos that can irritate your scalp and grafts. The more natural and mild your cleanser, the better.

Don’t Use Ice Packs:

After a hair transplant, don’t expose your scalp to extreme temperatures. This means no ice packs–though some surgeons recommend using ice on your forehead to help with swelling, but not directly on your scalp or grafts.

Cold isn’t the only thing to avoid. You shouldn’t be in hot temperatures either since warmth can lead to more intense swelling and irritation. So skip the sauna for a couple of weeks following surgery, keep those showers cool, and avoid being outside at all if it’s summer and you live in a southern state.

Skip The Hair Dryer And Hair Products:

Speaking of heat, you shouldn’t use a hair dryer for a couple of weeks post-transplant. The hot air could damage your follicles and keep them from growing healthy hair.

It’s the same story when it comes to hair products like styling gels, creams, dyes, etc. These products almost always have harsh chemicals that can irritate your scalp. Even if they don’t usually bother your skin, remember that you’ve just had surgery, and your scalp is extra sensitive right now. Use a soft-bristled brush or a wide-tooth comb to style your hair and avoid irritating your skin.

Keep Your Scalp Out Of The Sun:

While your scalp and grafts are still healing, you should keep out of sunlight. The UV rays can irritate and damage your skin and hair follicles. While you may usually wear a hat to protect your scalp, you shouldn’t wear hats, scarves, or any other head coverings for two to three weeks after your hair transplant.

No Hats:

Whether you love to rock a stetson or a fedora, or you love to sport a cap representing your favorite team, band, or local business (or you’ve just been wearing these hats to hide your hair loss), you’ll have to put them away for a bit after your hair transplant surgery. Even though the weight of a hat doesn’t seem like much, it’s still not good for your scalp and your new grafts, and it might affect your results.

Stay Smoke, Alcohol, And Caffeine Free:

It isn’t just outside elements that can impact your surgical results. The things you eat, drink, and smoke can affect how well (and quickly) your hair grows. Alcohol and caffeine can cause you to have more swelling and a longer healing period after your transplant.

Smoking isn’t a good idea for several reasons, mainly because your body can’t supply your scalp and follicles with enough oxygen (since nicotine and other chemicals impact your circulation and blood-oxygen levels). This alone can mean a less-than-ideal result from your transplant surgery.

Keep Your Head Propped When Sleeping:

We all have our preferred sleeping positions–back, stomach, side (or constantly shifting during the night and flailing your limbs all over the bed). Whatever your preference, you may have to change your sleeping habits for a short time.

You’ll need to keep your head elevated for four to five nights (or however long your surgeon says). That means you’ll probably have to become a back sleeper during this time if you weren’t already. The good news is that after several nights of sleeping on an extra pillow or two, you can go back to your regular routine.

No Strenuous Exercise:

If changing how you sleep has made you more tired, give yourself some time to rest during the day. You’ll also have to take a few weeks off from exercise and strenuous activities–anything that will increase your blood pressure. You’ll need to avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects, too.

Eat, Drink (Water), And Grow Your Hair:

Stick to a healthy diet with plenty of protein, fruits, and vegetables. The more nutrients in your food, the better since these will help your scalp produce a thick, healthy head of hair. Drink lots of water after your hair transplant, too–hydration is key to hair growth.

Follow Any Other Instructions From Your Surgeon:

Your surgeon will send you home with a detailed list of directions and steps to make sure you take care of your scalp after surgery. Follow all of these instructions closely, including any directions for medication use and how to care for your wounds. Schedule and attend your follow-up appointments so your surgeon can check your progress after surgery.

Get The Best Results From Your Hair Transplant

You can take several steps to make sure you see hair growth (and healthy hair) after your Seattle hair transplant. Limit how much you touch your scalp, and don’t wash your hair for a few days after surgery. When you do give your hair its first post-surgery wash, be very gentle and use a mild cleanser.

Don’t apply ice packs, expose yourself to heat, or use products with chemicals. Speaking of chemicals, you shouldn’t smoke or drink alcohol (or even caffeine). Don’t go out in the sun until you can wear a hat (usually about three weeks after surgery). One more thing you need to avoid is strenuous exercise.

You should make sure you prop your head up at night, get a good variety of vitamins and minerals from your diet, and drink plenty of water. Most importantly–follow all your surgeon's specific instructions so you can get the thick, healthy hair you want.

 

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