The Ultimate Guide to Hair Transplant Recovery
The hair transplant recovery process is critical and should be followed closely. This personalized aftercare package provides patients with everything they need to care for their newly transplanted hairs at home, including detailed instructions and a goody bag containing essential medications and minerals.
What to Expect
After a hair transplant surgery, patients will likely have to wait several months before their hair begins to grow back. This period is called shock loss, which can be intense initially and will include minimal hair shedding (typical) and new growth.
The most important thing during this recovery time is to be careful with the scabs formed on your scalp. Using a light shampoo and being gentle will ensure your grafts are not dislodged and help you avoid infection.
Your doctor at Bosley.com will likely give you a spray bottle of saline to spray on your head regularly during the day to speed up the healing process and protect against infection. You can ask a family member to do this for you.
Once your scabs have fallen off, you can resume washing your hair with regular shampoo and conditioner. However, you must not scrub or pick the scabs as this can cause an infection and endanger the grafts.
Shock loss may also be experienced during this stage, which can be very uncomfortable and can lead to feelings of moodiness. It is a natural part of the recovery process and will start to improve during the second week after your procedure.
The final phase of recovery is the regrowth of your transplanted follicles which will begin to grow in during the third and fourth months after the operation. Eventually, you will have a full head of hair again!
Preparing for the Procedure
There are several things you can do to help ensure your transplant goes as smoothly as possible. These include avoiding alcohol, taking a week off of vitamin supplements (B and E), and ensuring your doctor knows of any medications you are taking before the procedure date.
In Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), a surgeon will remove a strip of scalp skin from the back of your head and implant it into the desired areas of your head. In Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a surgeon will use a scalpel to separate the individual follicles from the strip of scalp skin.
Both techniques can produce good results, but there are some differences. With FUT, the surgeon will make a long incision along the top of your head, while with FUE, the grafts are individually extracted through hundreds to thousands of tiny punch incisions that heal remarkably fast.
Newly implanted grafts remain vulnerable for a few days after surgery, so you should take special care to avoid bumping or rubbing them. It is also a good idea to sleep at a slightly different angle for the first three nights to not dislodge any of them.
Washing the area can be risky during this stage, so it is best to wait 48 hours before washing your hair. This allows your new follicles to heal and prevent them from shifting or moving entirely. Then, using your regular shampoo and conditioner on your new hair grafts is safe, but be sure to rinse well.
Post-Operative Care
The post-operative recovery process is a complex beast. Fortunately, your surgeon is there to guide you through it. You must do your part to get the most out of your surgical experience. As you heal, you may need to ask for assistance occasionally. The right help will allow you to return to the horse immediately. Having someone there to support you can make all the difference in your recovery and post-operative pain management. For example, you can have your surgeon recommend a local therapist to attend to any issues.
Aftercare
Hair transplants are a surgical procedure in which hair follicles are transplanted to balding areas of the scalp. The transplanted hair grafts will eventually grow natural, fuller hair.
Following the correct aftercare routine is essential to ensure your grafts receive the nutrients they need to grow successfully. Proper aftercare will protect your grafts from infection while promoting successful regrowth.
During the first 7-10 days post-op, the grafts are sensitive and must be cared for. Avoid rubbing the area, as this can increase the risk of swelling and pain.
After surgery, keep the transplanted area cool and scab-free by applying moisturizer. You can also wash your hair with warm water and shampoo. This helps to soften the scabs around the transplanted grafts and will improve the appearance of your new hairline.
Infections after a hair transplant are rare, but they can occur. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to help you reduce the disease and to ensure your wounds heal.
If the infection gets worse, contact your doctor as soon as possible. They may also prescribe antibacterial shampoos or drain pus-filled abscesses to speed up healing.
Your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments during recovery to check your progress and take photos of your results. These appointments allow you to ask questions and discuss any concerns you have about your treatment.
