How to Help Hair Transplants Heal Faster

Significant advancements have been made in the field of hair transplants over recent years. In addition to providing hair transplant recipients with a more natural appearance, more advanced hair transplants also heal faster than those from the past. There are, however, measures that hair transplant recipients can take to help their transplants heal faster.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo recommended by your surgeon
• Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30
• Wedge-shaped pillows (optional)
• Hat

Instructions

1. Wear a cap or hat when out in strong or direct sunlight. The skin in the transplant area will be sensitive after surgery, so protecting it will help your transplants heal faster. After 2 weeks, you can apply sunscreen to your scalp instead of wearing a cap or hat for protection.

2. Sleep with your head elevated the night after your surgery and in the following few days. This helps to promote faster healing by facilitating optimal blood flow. You can use your own pillows to create the necessary elevation or purchase a specially designed wedge-shaped pillows.

3. Rest for a few weeks following your hair transplant surgery. Any strenuous activities can lead to increased blood flow to the scalp. This can cause the incisions or make the transplants bleed.

4. Follow your doctor's advice for cleaning your scalp and hair to help your hair transplants heal faster. Clean the site of the hair transplants gently with the shampoo provided by your surgeon. You may need to rinse your hair multiple times the first day following your surgery, taking care not to rub or scratch at the transplant site.

5. Make appointments with your surgeon for post-operative checks. Doctors will often want to see you in the week following your surgery to see how the transplants are healing. You should also schedule an appointment for later in the year, after the follicles have started growing new hairs, so that you can decide if additional transplants are needed.

Tips & Warnings

• If the water pressure from your shower is very high and cannot be adjusted, you may want to use a bowl of water to clean the scalp area. You can also block the direct flow of water with your hand.

• Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking in the days following your hair transplant surgery. Both can affect the amount of blood flow to the scalp and adversely affect how quickly you can heal. You will heal faster by avoiding these products in the days after your surgery.

• When you shower, you may notice that some of the hairs from the transplant fall out. This does not mean that the hair follicle has fallen out. Hair will continue to grow from the follicle as you heal.