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Essential Tips For Hair Care After A Hair Transplant

  • By Harleys Clinic
  • Jan, 23 2023

Planning a hair transplant therapy necessitates picking an expert with vast experience in this operation and having realistic expectations about the post-operative process and being aware of crucial details so that you can heal effectively.

A time will come when one can flaunt their beautiful hair after the surgery, but healing and recovery from hair transplant surgery require one's immediate attention.

After undergoing a hair transplant procedure, it is important to take proper care of the newly transplanted hair. However, they are still fragile and require a bit more care to achieve successful outcomes.

A receiver of hair transplantation must adopt a healthy and thorough hair care regimen in order to maintain the volume of hair. It is not difficult to follow the essential care instructions for their new hair. Here are some aftercare tips post hair transplantation surgeries, shared by Dr. Sumit Agrawal, an expert hair transplant surgeon in Mumbai practising at Harleys Hair Transplant Clinic.

Tips for Post-Hair Transplant Care

1. It is crucial to avoid touching the new hairline on the pillow. In fact, a person should try their best to refrain from touching the area for the first three days following therapy. One should not touch their scalp till after 72 hours unless with extreme care. Always remember not to touch an irritable scalp but rather to gently spray saline.

2. People who have recently undergone hair transplant surgery should sleep in a semi-upright position to help fluid drain into the forehead, reducing swelling. One should adopt the "recliner" position while sleeping, which involves an upright angle of roughly 45 degrees and should be maintained for initial 48 hours each time a person lies down.

3. Gentle hair washing on third day after a hair transplant will lessen any scabbing and itching on the scalp. Intermittent Saline spray should continue till seventh day to avoid dryness and itching scalp.

4. Do not smoke for a week after the surgery to have the best results. It is highly recommended that a patient not smoke before and after hair transplantation because smoking negatively affects blood circulation. If an individual continues to smoke after the procedure, they may not get the desired results. They would compromise the blood circulation, so newly transplanted hair would not get enough oxygen to grow properly. The implanted hair grafts need the oxygen and nutrients they carry. They cannot get these nutrients if an individual allows the nicotine and other toxins in cigarette smoke to constrict the blood vessels. Hence, smoking can interfere with the healthy growth of transplanted hair.

5. It is vital to avoid direct sunlight for the first two weeks following surgery. For the first two weeks after the hair transplant, doctors advise patients to wear headgear when going outside in the sun.

6. Patients are recommended to wear a Surgical cap, which they should wear whenever they are outside. The cap will shield the scalp from the sun, dust, and other environmental factors. For four days following surgery, one must wear this cap; after that, one is free to wear any other cap one like. It is crucial to choose a hat for the time following surgery that won't drag on the newly transplanted grafts or fit too tightly on the recipient areas. Wear a hat outside for up to two weeks or until the scabs have completely disappeared.

7. Increasing water intake and staying hydrated keeps the hair and scalp hydrated by flushing out the toxins from the body. Eat foods rich in proteins, biotin, iron, and vitamins A and C for healthy hair.

8. Typically, antibiotics are recommended for the first three to five days following surgery. They serve to provide a speedy healing process and guard against potential infections. Antibiotics are given to our patients at the clinic. Throughout the healing process, antibiotic cream should be applied in donor area. This cream needs to be directly applied to the inflamed areas whenever pimples or bumps are seen in the recipient or donor areas.

9. Restricting strenuous physical activity for a period of time after surgery will lessen discomfort and avoid perspiration. Fourth day after a hair transplant, mild workout such as walking and stretching are acceptable. After seven to ten days, one can progressively increase the intensity of their workout throughout the next week. Hard physical exertion will exacerbate pain and inflammation. Perspiration is not a harmful concern for the new transplants.

10. After 7 days, the transplanted area must be moisturized with lotion, oil, or any other appropriate product (as suggested by the surgeon) and then left in this condition for one to two hours. Scabs around the transplanted grafts and donor area become softer as a result. This softening stage facilitates the removal of dried blood remnants and speeds healing. Luke warm water should be used to cleanse the scalp after 1-2 hrs. A specific medical shampoo is used for bathing the donor and the transplanted area. To accomplish this, very gently apply a small amount of shampoo to the entire scalp after lathering it between your palms. Use gentle pressure throughout the entire cleaning process while using the palms.

11. After shampooing, use a paper towel to dry the hair. Just pat it very softly; do not rub. Start using the oil from seventh day, until the scabs fall off or the scalp becomes dry. If the feeling of dryness is persistent, an individual can also use the oil between hair washes.

12. To get rid of the scabs, start daily shampooing from seventh day. There should no longer be any signs of dried blood or scabs on the scalp after around 7 to 10 days. A person can begin washing their hair normally no earlier than 14 days following the transplant. If necessary, shampooing the hair more than once a day after the transplant is allowed. Till the bottle is empty, use the special shampoo as advised.

13. Conditioner can be started probably after a month when hair start growing long. After every shampooing, conditioner should be applied to the hair, as this can significantly enhance the appearance of any weathered or damaged hair and protect from a variety of external pressures that could potentially compromise hair health. Conditioner protects against damaging elements like UV radiation, which strengthens hair and improves the outcomes of hair transplants over time. Argan oil based conditioners have prolonged moisturizing effect.

14. It is important to make sure that the shampoo and conditioner a person uses are appropriate for their hair type. The overall health of a person's hair and the effectiveness of their hair transplant surgery can both be significantly improved by making sure they use products designed specifically for their hair needs. Mild shampoos preferably Paraben free are good to avoid dryness.

15. Oiling hair regularly is a must, as it can combat dryness, reduce flaking and provides nourishment to the scalp. Gentle massage with hair oil improves scalp blood flow, which delivers nutrients to the hair roots.

16. In the first four weeks following a hair restoration, one cannot dye their hair. If one fears they won't be able to go four weeks without dyeing their hair, get it done just before the treatment. Shortly before undergoing a hair transplant process, dyeing one's hair has no adverse side effects; however, the harsh chemicals present in hair dye can negatively impact the success of the transplanted follicles afterward. The transplanted follicles are in a very fragile state for a few weeks following the transplant. All available care must be given to them.

17. Braids, a loose ponytail, and other hairstyles could somewhat harm the newly transplanted hair. Additionally, one should refrain from overusing products that bulk them up and stiffen up new transplants.

If one has any questions about hair transplant procedures in Mumbai on how this procedure can help one to reclaim their hairline, please contact Dr. Sumit Agrawal at Harleys Hair Transplant Clinic. Book a consultation today to know more!