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Recovery Tips and Realistic Expectations
Overview of the Hair Transplant Initial Recovery Process (IRP)
- The first week after surgery is critical, as the transplanted hair grafts are still fragile and susceptible to damage. It’s essential to follow the surgeon’s instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and minimise the risk of complications.
- Around one week after hair transplant surgery, a patient’s scalp will be well on the way to healing. During the healing process, scabs fall off the donor site and recipient area, itching should subside, and swelling on the scalp should be reduced.
- The biggest change to the aftercare routine is the introduction of contact washing to transplanted grafts and the recipient area. Specific information is found in your hair transplant aftercare instructions.
- The hair transplant recovery process is not finished after one week! Do not partake in activities that get your scalp sweaty (going to the gym or sauna) and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
What Should I Expect From My Hair Transplant After 7 Days?
Having a hair transplant to reverse symptoms of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) can be a rewarding process. Since its inception, hair transplant surgery has helped thousands of men improve their appearance and self-confidence! Once patients have completed their hair restoration journey, they no longer need to worry about that receding hairline or crown thinning!
That being said, the hair transplant recovery process can be lengthy (around 9-12 months) and the hardest part of this process is often what we call the “Initial Recovery Period” (or “IRP” for short). The IRP refers to the first 14 days after a hair transplant: the part of the recovery timeline where a patient recovers from surgery and needs to follow an important aftercare routine while their scalp heals.
Feeling hesitant about getting a hair transplant while researching hair transplant aftercare is completely normal. But at Harley Street Hair Transplant Clinics, we’re here to walk you through the IRP so you know what to expect in the first week after surgery.
Around 7 days after hair transplantation, a patient can expect their scalp to be on the road to recovery. Scabs should have formed over the recipient and donor sites and (in some cases) have begun to fall off. Immediately after surgery, common side effects are swelling, itchiness, and soreness. These side effects should subside around one week after a hair transplant.
The 7-day mark also means there will be changes in a patient’s aftercare routine. As the scalp has healed and the newly transplanted hair follicles have begun to bed in the scalp, patients can gently wash their hair using a special shampoo. This is commonly referred to as “contact washing”.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE Hair Transplant): What Happens During Surgery?
Before we talk about how your scalp should look or what you should expect to see from your hair transplant after 7 days, it’s first important to understand the science behind your hair transplant. This will help explain why the side effects of hair transplant surgery occur and why you need to follow your aftercare instructions closely!
During a hair transplant, hair follicles are taken individually from the back and sides of your head (donor area) and implanted into an area where you are experiencing hair loss. The most common form of hair transplant methods (and the ones which this aftercare article refers to) are DHI – Direct Hair Implantation and FUE – Follicular Unit Extraction.
Before a hair transplant begins, patients are given a local anaesthetic to prevent feeling any pain and a small amount of saline solution is injected under the skin of the scalp to elevate it from the skull. This saline solution helps the surgeon when it comes to extracting donor hairs, making incisions, and implanting new grafts. This anaesthetic and saline solution is what causes swelling in a small number of patients.
During the surgery, a small extraction tool is used to remove hair follicles from the back and sides of a patient’s head. A scalpel is also used to create tiny incisions in the recipient area, where new hair follicles will be implanted. These incisions cause bleeding and scabbing in the first week after surgery. By day 7, these extraction and incision points should be well on the way to being fully healed.
After a hair transplant, you will need to listen to your surgeon’s advice. They will apply bandages and surgical gauze to your scalp and provide you with your aftercare instructions. For the first week, your sleeping position may feel unusual as you will need to keep your head elevated at a 45-degree angle. About 7 days after hair transplantation, you can return to normal!
Getting Through The First Week: 0-7 Days After Hair Transplant
Without a doubt, the hardest part of any hair transplant is the first week after surgery. This is the point where patients will need to take some time away from work and sports. Some patients may also experience mild discomfort toward some of the side effects of surgery.
During this period, it’s important to follow your aftercare instructions. These instructions will give you vital information about:
- Treating Soreness & Pain – experiencing some pain and soreness in the first week after your hair transplant is completely normal. Follow the information provided above. If you are still feeling pain after the first week, be sure to contact your hair transplant surgeon or consultant for advice.
- Encouraging Healing & Scabbing – one of the most important aspects of aftercare in the first week is encouraging your scalp to stay hydrated and form scabs. Once your recipient site and donor area have healed (scabs have fallen off) your follicles will have bedded in and new hair growth can begin.
- Treating Itchiness – from days 0-7 after hair transplant, itchiness is one of the most common side effects. It is important not to touch your transplanted grafts however itchy they may be. You will be provided with a saltwater spray in your aftercare package. This should soothe any itchiness and negate any urge to scratch or rub your hair.
- Keeping Your Scalp Clean – maintaining hygiene and cleanliness is essential after a hair transplant. Especially in the initial week after surgery. Follow your aftercare instructions and surgeon’s advice to reduce the chances of folliculitis or infection.
- Washing Your Hair – the first 7 days after hair transplant require proper care when it comes to washing your hair. During this period, you will need to perform “contactless washing”. Information on this will be provided in your aftercare package.
- Sleeping After a Hair Transplant – As stated earlier, implanted follicles are incredibly delicate in the first couple of days after a hair transplant. So, it’s vital to have an elevated sleeping position. Patients are often provided with a travel pillow to help protect the implanted grafts post-op.
Bleeding, Redness, & Scabbing: The Initial Healing Process
The first few days after surgery, you may experience discomfort, swelling, and redness around the recipient area. This is because thousands of tiny incisions were made on the day of your surgery and each incision is beginning to scab over. Your hair transplant surgeon may prescribe pain medication to help manage these symptoms. In most cases, mild painkillers (paracetamol) or anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) should suffice.
Scabbing and crusting are normal parts of the initial recovery timeline and they will begin to fall from your scalp around 7 days after your hair transplant. It’s essential to avoid picking or scratching the scabs, as this can damage the transplanted hair grafts. dislodging transplanted follicles can lead to a condition called shock hair loss. This can affect the final result of your hair transplant.
Medication & Antibiotics: Day One to Two Weeks Post Surgery
In the first week after your hair transplant, you will be required to take a course of antibiotics (erythromycin). You will need to take this for 7 days after hair surgery, beginning on the day of your surgery. By day 7 post-op, you will have finished your antibiotics and do not need to take any more.
Antibiotics are prescribed after a hair transplant for one key reason. To prevent the body from contracting any bacterial infections while your scalp heals from surgery. bleeding, swelling, and dry skin can increase the chances of contracting an infection so this is a vital preventative measure to stop patients from getting ill.
It is also possible to start taking hair loss medications (e.g. finasteride or dutasteride) around one week after your hair transplant. Oral finasteride is a powerful DHT-blocking medication many patients take after a hair transplant to prevent further hair loss. This medication helps patients maintain the result of their hair transplant for many years after their surgery.
Topical foams and oils, such as minoxidil, are not recommended in the first week after a hair transplant surgery. Post-operative care instructions will usually state that minoxidil can be taken around 2 weeks post-surgery. As your scalp is still healing from surgery, topical foams and oils can cause further irritation to the scalp. Not to mention, massaging the recipient site in the first week after surgery can dislodge transplanted hair follicles which causes shock loss.
Sleeping and Resting: How to Relax After a Hair Transplant
Believe it or not, one of the strangest changes to your daily routine in the initial week after a hair transplant will be sleeping. It’s essential to sleep in an upright position to reduce swelling and promote healing. Not to mention, sleeping in a way that puts pressure on your head can slow down the healing process and damage the final result of your hair transplant.
A neck pillow is provided to all patients in their aftercare package. This ensures your head will remain in an elevated position in the first 7 days after hair transplantation. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or side, as this can also put pressure on the transplanted area.
Exercise and Routine: Preventing Damage to the Scalp
Although exercise is a common part of our daily lives, it’s important to take a period of rest after a hair transplant. Prolonged sun exposure and strenuous exercise can make our heads sweaty and this can have adverse effects on your hair transplant aftercare.
You should avoid strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting or bending, for at least two weeks after your surgery. Getting your head sweaty and wet can be uncomfortable and increase your risk of contracting infections such as folliculitis.
Managing Side Effects and Complications
While most hair transplant surgeries and recoveries conclude without any major side effects or complications, there can (in rare instances) be the occasional issue. If you think you may be suffering from surgical side effects or don’t think your aftercare is going as well as expected, contact your hair transplant surgeon or consultant immediately.
Common side effects in the first week after a hair transplant include swelling, redness, and mild itching. Information on treating these side effects can be found in your post-operative care instructions. If these symptoms persist, then contact your hair transplant clinic.
To help limit the risk of complications in the first week after surgery, it is important to keep the donor area clean and dry to promote healing. You should also avoid touching or manipulating the donor area, as this can damage the hair grafts.
