Post-Op Care Recommendations

Following your hair transplant, it is very important to follow correct post-operation care instructions to achieve the best possible results. Incorrect care can result in decreased graft re-growth rates. Our specialists will explain and show you how to take care of your transplanted hair. Below is an indicative overview of the correct post-op care procedures and important things to remember.

Washing hair after transplantation

You will be given a special shampoo and lotion for use after the hair transplant. The hair wash procedure has 3 steps:

Step 1:

Transplanted and donor areas are covered with lotion and left in this state for around 30 minutes. This causes a softening effect on scabs around the transplanted grafts. After 30 minutes, the scalp should be washed with warm water. Do not worry if there is some lotion residual left, it will come off in the next step.

Step 2:

Donor and transplanted areas are washed with a special medical shampoo. To do this, lather a little quantity of shampoo between your hands and very carefully apply to the entire scalp. Do not rub, just tap. All washing stages should be performed softly using palms, with no pressure. Make sure that water pressure is not too strong. It is important to wash the shampoo and lotion off until no residual is left. The scabs can turn white after the hair wash - this is normal.

Step 3:

After washing, dry your hair with a paper towel. Do not rub – just pat it very gently. Paper towel is great because it cannot pull on the transplanted grafts.

Shampooing should be done daily to remove the scabs. After about 7-10 days there should be no more traces of dried blood or scabs on your scalp. You may start washing your hair the normal way no sooner than 14 days after the transplant. Continue using the special shampoo until the bottle is empty. You can stop using the lotion once the scabs are off.

Pain management

Mild pain can be present for a couple of days after the hair transplant procedure. Some people report difficulty sleeping the first days post-op. This can be relieved with some pain relief medication.

Swelling

There can be some swelling after the transplant. It affects the forehead and the area around the eyes and lasts two to five days, peaking on the fourth day. It is not dangerous and usually goes away without any medication.

Itchiness

Itching is a very common feeling after the hair transplant. It may occur all over the scalp. In cases when it becomes very strong, an antihistamine pill can be taken. It is important not to scratch the scalp, especially during the early healing phases, as this can negatively affect the results.

Optimal sleeping position

We ask that you sleep on your back, with your head elevated on a few pillows. By raising your head, this position helps decrease any swelling that can occur after the hair transplant.

Recovery times

The healing process is relatively quick after a hair transplant. Most patients feel fine within a day or two following surgery, although some numbness and mild soreness can be expected for several days following surgery. Usually the patient gains his/her normal appearance within 7-14 days post-op. Only slight redness can be visible after this period. Prolonged redness to the scalp is more common for those with light skin types.

If beard was used as donor area

Beard can be shaven after a week if beard hair grafts have been used as donor material. Donor area is usually fully healed within a month.

Shaving after hair transplantation

Recipient area can be shaven 1 month after the transplant. Donor areas can be shaven already 1-week post-op.

Shock Loss after hair transplantation and regrowth

Usually, shock loss starts within the first 3 weeks after the transplant. During this period, transplanted follicles loose hair. This is normal. After 3th or 4th month the hair starts growing from the transplanted follicles again. At the end of 4th month, re-growth rate should be around 30% and within 6th month re-growth rate should be around 60%. The end results should be evaluated only 10-12 months post-op.

Headwear

You will get a special hat at our hair transplantation clinic which you should be wearing whenever outside and during your trip home. The hat will protect your scalp from the dust, sun and other environmental factors. It is very important to avoid any sunburn to the transplanted areas, so a hat is a must after the transplant. Any other type of headwear is also suitable, as long as it does not sit tight on the recipient areas.

Physical Activity

Immediately after hair transplantation, you can start to go for a short walk or do physical exercises that do not make you sweat too much. You can already start actively exercising 10 days post-op.

Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)

One should wait for 3 months after surgery for any kind of manipulation on the scalp. It is fine if a patient had SMP before the transplant.

Alcohol consumption

Consuming alcohol will increase the healing time of wounds after the hair transplant. It will be better to wait for 2 weeks after the transplant.