With any surgery ranging from a hair transplant to a tummy tuck, there are always questions and concerns regarding the surgery. And as much as it is exciting coming home from a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant to restore your hair to its former glory, you want to be sure you know how to care for your most valuable possession: your newly implanted hair grafts.
Opting to get an FUE hair transplant is a major decision; not only should you evaluate whether it is the right approach for you, but you should ideally also ensure that you maintain your investment. After all, the very last thing you would like is your hair to appear no better after the money and time spent on a hair transplant.
Especially right after surgery, the hair grafts are still very much frail and would require some tending before they can take root. If you are planning to undergo surgery but have no idea what to expect during the recovery phase, The Clifford Surgery Clinic is here to assist you with some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
Do follow aftercare instructions
After your hair transplant, your doctor will provide you with a customized aftercare sheet – it would be best to follow those directions accordingly, as they are set to assist in ensuring that your transplant is successful and that your results are as good as they can be. If you have any questions after leaving The Clifford Surgery Clinic, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.
Do consider switching your sleeping position
After your transplant, it is best to ensure that you sleep with your head elevated for the first seven days or if you are experiencing swelling. Most patients might only experience swelling for a few days, while others may never feel it at all. In any case, elevating your head will lessen the swelling and eliminate the need for you to worry about pressure buildup.
As much as possible, your head should be raised to roughly 45 degrees. This means that you need to have sufficient pillows or look for an alternative to sleeping on the bed – a recliner can also make a great makeshift bed.
Do try your best to have a good diet
Eating a balanced diet is an excellent approach to staying healthy while going through your recovery process; consuming nourishing foods after surgery can not only aid in your body’s recovery, but also in wound healing. Maintaining a healthy diet might also help you keep your hair in great shape in the future. That said, it is essential that you maintain a well-balanced diet that is ideally nutrient-dense. Healthy fats, seeds and nuts, seafood, fruits and vegetables, and lean meats are some of the types of food advised for your consumption.
Do expect some hair loss in transplanted areas
Following your procedure, you can expect minor hair loss from the transplanted regions for around two to four weeks. Within three months, your hair will start to regrow. This is completely normal and a natural component of the hair growth cycle. It does not imply that the follicles have been damaged in any way. Thus, you need not worry about hair shedding as it is an expected stage of the regrowth and healing process. Instead, it would be good to continue sticking to the aftercare instructions for the best results.
Don’t engage in heavy exercise
It is best to avoid strenuous exertion and limit perspiration during this critical post-op period. After one week, you may resume going to the gym, jogging and running, yoga, and other activities. You should be able to swim after two weeks. After one month, you should have no problems participating in contact sports such as muay thai, rugby, and boxing.
However, as much as possible, you should exercise with caution – your heart rate and blood pressure should always remain in a healthy range until the risk of swelling has passed.
Don’t wear hats for the first three days
For the first three days, avoid wearing headgear or ball caps. It is preferable to prevent anything from contacting your head during this period. Scabs that develop spontaneously after a hair transplant need around three days to be firm.
Don’t expose your scalp to direct sunlight
Except for short periods of time during the first two weeks, avoid exposing your scalp to direct sunlight. After three days, you may wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun. While it is typical for hair transplant patients to use vacation time for rehabilitation at the beach or outdoors, it would be wise not to get sunburned. Additionally, scuba diving should also be avoided during this time.
Refrain from picking any scabs
Avoid attempting to pick any scabs as they form on your scalp. Scabs are a natural outcome of your scalp being probed and prodded, and they are part of the natural healing process. Just as you would want to let a scab on your knee undisturbed until it has recovered fully and has fallen off, you should allow scabs on your head to form freely until they fall off on their own.
Restore your crowning glory with The Clifford Surgery Clinic
Hair transplant surgery is a highly successful, minimally invasive procedure that can have a significant influence on your life. The most important thing to remember is to take good care of yourself and your new hair. Not only will it help you feel better while recovering, but you will also be satisfied with the wonderful outcomes of your hair transplant.
At The Clifford Clinic, our aesthetic doctors are expertly trained, highly qualified, and skilled across a diverse variety of dermatological concerns and solutions in favor of giving our patients a holistic treatment plan. To guarantee maximum efficacy and safety, we only use leading technologies supported by clinically proven outcomes and thorough research – carefully choosing our products from the world’s medical technology manufacturers. From ptosis repair for droopy eyelids to breast implants in Singapore, have peace of mind as you come down to The Clifford Surgery Clinic for your first (or next) procedure!
For more information about our hair transplants, do not hesitate to contact us today to schedule a consultation.