Hair transplantation is a very delicate operation. You will need some time to heal and recover following your procedure, a crucial factor which can affect the outcome of your surgery. Your clinic will provide you with aftercare instructions you need to follow to make sure your recovery goes smoothly. The first few days following the surgery are very important, and this article gives you an idea of what to expect after your hair transplant surgery.
How Long Is The Recovery Time?
Most top clinics send their patients home with an aftercare kit that contains everything they will need in the first few days after the surgery. The kit also contains emergency contact details should they experience any post-surgical complications. It can take between two and three months for new hair follicles take root and begin to grow new hair strands.
The first wave of growth is often uneven and rough, but it will soon evolve into the head of hair you’ve always wanted. Typically, most patients will experience a natural full growth of new hair by month ten after the procedure. Poor regrowth at this point means the surgery has not been as successful as hoped or that the results will not be as effective.
If you have any concerns during the early days, most clinics schedule a checkup which helps to catch any potential problems sooner.
Stage One Of Recovery: The Healing Period
Days one to four are when the healing occurs after the surgery. It is vital to follow the surgeon’s post-operative care instructions to the letter. A saline solution is one of the most critical items that will come in an aftercare package most clinics provide.
Spraying the scalp regularly with saline speeds up the healing, protects the incisions against infection and prevents scabbing. Here are a few tips on how to spray the transplant areas to get the most benefit:
- Use alternate hands to spray the sides of your scalp.
- Ask a friend or family member to help spray to ensure you cover the entire transplant area.
- Ensure you complete the 12 hours of spraying following the surgery
Physical rest is also vital for the healing process, so make sure you get enough sleep to speed up the recovery.
Things To Avoid During The Healing Stage
Hydrating your scalp goes without saying so you should keep up with the saline spray. However, there are some daily activities you may have to forgo for a few days after your surgery. These include the following:
- Swimming
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking
- Strenuous or high-impact exercises
It is advisable to brush your hair while it is wet to avoid snagging it or causing bleeding. This is especially the case if you have had FUT and you have sutures at the donor area.
Stage Two: Days Five to Nine The Rest Period
Rest is what the doctor orders when it comes to recovery from hair transplant surgery. By now, your scalp is well on its way to healing, and it’s ok to start washing your scalp gently. Soreness and swelling should have gone down by now, but it’s best to avoid using shampoo. Your focus should be to remove any dry skin and scabs gently.
High impact exercise and sport is still a considerable risk, and you need to wait until you are confident the transplant follicles are fully healed.
Stage Three: Two Weeks After Surgery
It’s now a fortnight after your surgery, and there should be a pink pigmentation to your scalp while signs of scabbing begin to show. All this is part of the natural healing, so long you don’t feel pain or discomfort.
Once healing is complete, the transplant follicles will go dormant and fall out. Your hairline may now look very much like it did before the operation. All this is normal, and before you know it, the transplant follicles will sprout new, healthy hair strands.
Washing your hair as normal at this point is possible as long as your shampoo is not particularly abrasive. Tea tree is a gentle ingredient in shampoos if you like the smell. Do not apply shampoo to your hair but mix it with the washing water. Gently rub it onto your scalp and hair and use a small jug to wash it off. Wash suture line gently and pat down the transplant area gently to dry it.
If you have undergone FUT, you may need to return to the clinic for suture removal after seven days. The surgeon will take this opportunity to inspect the transplant area and ensure recovery is going well. You can return to moderate exercise, but it’s advisable to ensure healing is complete, and it is safe to exercise again.
From now on, the healing process is complete, and the new hair should eventually begin to spring up. It will be a few months yet before you start seeing the full effects of the transplant. You should attend review appointments as agreed with the clinic where inspection of your progress continues.
Patience does pay when it comes to hair transplant surgery and recovery. From month ten going forward, you will start seeing sustained new growth. You may even decide on having a haircut to bring your hair to an even length.
Are you Ready For A Hair Transplant?
A hair transplant is a big step to take towards restoring a receding hairline or lost hair. You are the only one who will know when you are ready to take this step. At Vinci Hair Clinic, you can have a free consultation to discuss transplant surgery and the other hair loss treatment on offer. If you still have questions about the different procedure, the surgeon is happy to answer these during the consultation. Get in touch and book your free consultation today.
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