Hair Transplant Aftercare 101
Hair loss Hair loss can be a deeply distressing experience, significantly impacting one’s self-esteem and confidence. This is where a hair transplant comes in, helping restore a natural-looking head of hair. It is a process involving the transfer of hair follicles from a donor site, such as the back of the head, to a balding or thinning area on the scalp. The transplanted hair will then grow naturally and can be styled and treated just like your own hair.
With various types of hair transplants like FUE hair transplant cropping up in Singapore, helping with individual’s self-confidence from the results they are able to produce, hair transplants are one of the many hair treatment options worth considering. However, the success of a hair transplant also depends on the steps taken during the recovery process — this is known as hair transplant aftercare. What is hair transplant aftercare, and what are the steps to follow after the procedure to reduce the risk of a failed hair transplant?
What is Hair Transplant Aftercare?
Hair transplant aftercare refers to the steps taken to ensure proper healing and to minimise the risk of complications following a hair transplant procedure. Since the days and weeks that follow immediately after the hair transplant are pivotal to the healing and recovery process, aftercare is inevitably an important aspect of the recovery phase too. This makes following your hair specialist’s instructions for caring for the transplanted hair and the donor site extremely important, as one misstep can have a huge impact on the overall outcome of the procedure.
Do’s and Dont’s After a Hair Transplant
After a hair transplant procedure, it can take months before new follicles fully take and hair naturally begins to grow. While every patient’s results and recovery time vary, there are a few common postoperative advice that one will be asked to follow. Some of these include:
1. DO Follow the Instructions Given by Your Hair Specialist
With every hair transplant treatment, the aftercare process starts before the actual surgery. During the consultation, the entire procedure will be explained to you and all the information you’ll need in terms of understanding what the transplant entails, the aftercare requirements, and recovery guidance, will be provided. The same applies post-surgery, whereby you will be reminded of the postoperative hair transplant care steps.
It is important to adhere to these guidelines and instructions as your hair specialist is aware of what needs to be done to ensure the best possible outcome for your procedure. From how to care for your hair and scalp in the days and weeks following the hair transplant to other necessary precautions to take, they will provide you with specific instructions that will help you achieve your desired results.
2. DO Return to Your Hair Transplant Clinic One Day After the Surgery
One or two days after the surgery, you will have to return to your hair transplant clinic to remove the bandages and wash your hair. At Sage Medical, the same is done — one day after the FUE hair transplant, patients will have to return for bandage removal and a scalp wash. Never miss this appointment as everything done during this session will maintain the hygiene of the donor area and allow your hair specialist to determine if everything is in place, monitor your progress and address any concerns or questions you may have.
3. DO NOT Touch the Newly Grafted Area
Itchiness or irritation is common all over the scalp for 2 weeks after the operation but do not touch or fidget with the newly-grafted scalp or donor area. Avoid picking or rubbing your sore scalp at all costs and use the advice given by your hair specialist to find relief as not heeding their advice might cause your new graft to fall out, ridding it of any chance to grow. Some ways to deal with the itch might include using a standard sterile saline solution or a softening cream on the affected area.
4. DO NOT Engage in Exercise for a Few Weeks
Since perspiration increases the chances of the graft being infected, it is best to avoid engaging in sports and exercise for at least 10 days after the procedure. Strenuous, high-impact sports like basketball or football, where loads of contact are made must also be avoided for at least a month post-surgery. If you would like to resume your exercise routine sooner, it is recommended that this is discussed with your hair specialist who will ensure that the affected areas are fully healed.
5. DO NOT Disturb Your Roots
Just had a hair transplant and feel like getting a new haircut? This is only permissible approximately 3 months after the transplant to not disturb the affected area. Normal hair routines like combing, drying with a hair dryer or styling your locks should be avoided for a few weeks or until the grafted area is completely healed. Avoiding tight hairstyles, such as ponytails or braids, and using a soft brush or comb can help protect the transplanted hair and promote healthy growth.
Be Guided Through Your Recovery with Our Hair Clinic in Singapore
While the important stage of a hair transplant aftercare period is brief, lasting for about 2 weeks, taking care of your scalp till everything is completely healed and brand-new regrowth is seen is crucial. And at Sage Medical Clinic, our hair specialists will see you through the entire hair transplant and restoration journey. From the initial consultation where we will provide you with the necessary understanding of all the do’s and don’ts after the FUE hair transplant treatment to the aftercare sessions where further instructions will be provided on how to care for your scalp, we will be there every step of the way. Moreover, should there be hair loss experienced post-surgery in the non-transplanted areas, our hair transplant clinic also makes available a range of maintenance treatments such as laser treatments to counteract these issues.
Contact us today to book an appointment at our hair clinic in Singapore.
