Congratulations on making the big decision to have a hair transplant with Venus Hair Restoration, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to work with you. We hope you had a positive experience during your procedure. FUE has one of the highest success and patient satisfaction rates of any cosmetic procedure and we expect you to be ecstatic about your results as well.
With that in mind, please keep this guide handy in the coming days, as it will as your online reference for recovery and post-op care.
Heading back home after your hair transplant
After your hair transplant procedure is complete, you will be going home with gauze wrap around your head, covered by a protective cap (so it will not be visible). This gauze wrap will remain around your head until it is removed during your post-operative exam, the next day. After that, no wraps or bandages are needed.
When you go home, try to spend as much time as possible laying down. The more you stand up and walk around, the more likely you are to have some swelling. Have a full and healthy dinner. After dinner, take your antibiotic and painkiller provided. You are also free to take another painkiller at night if you experience discomfort. Most patients typically do not require any painkillers after the first day but you should continue to take your antibiotics twice a day, for 5 days.
It is important that you mind your head at all times tonight. You want to avoid bumping your head into anything by mistake and dislodging grafts as a result. You also want to avoid putting any pressure on your scalp or rubbing it in any way, including on a pillow.
During the first few nights after your hair transplant, sleep with your head slightly elevated. Please ensure that the top and front of your scalp does not come into contact with your pillow or headboard as you sleep.
Days 1-3 after your hair transplant procedure
The day after your procedure, you will return to have your gauze wrap removed. At this time, the doctor will also ensure that your grafts are healing properly and there are no complications. There should be very minimal pain and discomfort at this time.
In order to ensure proper recovery over the next 3 days, there are some simple things which you should avoid. First off, do not get your scalp wet at this time. When you take a shower, wash only your body and avoid your hair. Do not smoke or drink alcohol as this will interfere with your healing. In addition, you should avoid direct sunlight as this can also minimize healing and increase scarring.
You may also be given medications to prevent swelling and inflammation after surgery. Even with the medications, some patients tend to experience slight swelling around the forehead and eyes. This is not a cause for concern and should resolve itself within 72 hours.
Sleeping with your head elevated will help decrease any swelling. You can wash your head on the 4th day. Use baby shampoo and be very gentle with your scalp. Gently rinse your scalp with warm water and carefully pat it dry with a soft towel. You can repeat this process daily as it will help to shed any scabbing.
After a few days have passed, you are free to wear a loose-fitted and breathable hat to protect your scalp from the sun. Avoid strenuous exercise and weight lifting during this period as well and make sure to eat a balanced and healthy diet that supports healing. You should also refrain from swimming pools as the chlorine is harmful to the sensitive grafts.
Weeks 1-3 weeks after your hair transplant procedure
After the 10th day, you can begin to wash your hair regularly and any scabbing should fall away. Your scalp may feel a bit itchy at this time but please avoid scratching it. Coldwater can help alleviate any itching safely.
In the 3 weeks following your hair transplant, you should continue to take it easy and avoid heavy exercise such as sprinting or weightlifting but walking and jogging are not an issue. Try to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as much as possible to maximize healing.
You should continue to avoid exposing your scalp to strong sunlight and chlorinated water for 2-3 weeks after your surgery. You should not use styling products in the first week either, as the chemicals they contain may harm your grafts. None of these activities will destroy your new hairs but they will contribute to sub-optimal healing and certainly affect your results.
After the first 10 days have passed, you can begin to resume your normal hair care routine. Avoid harsh shampoos such as dandruff shampoos which can dry out your hair follicles. To ensure proper healing, your grafts must be nurtured and nourished constantly. Assuming you follow your aftercare directions properly, the fact that you had a hair transplant should be unnoticeable after 10-14 days.
What results should I expect after my hair transplant?
After your hair transplant Michigan, it may take anywhere from 6 to 10 weeks for your hair follicles to begin growing noticeably. You may notice some newly transplanted hairs falling out at this time. Do not panic, this is completely natural, as the hairs may fall out but the follicles will remain intact. After the hairs have fallen, the follicles that were transplanted will begin to produce healthy and strong hairs just like the ones on the back and sides of your scalp.
If you regularly dye your hair to hide graying, you can continue to do so after 30 days. After 6 months your hair should be long enough to comb back and in most patients, fully grown within 8 months. It shouldn’t take longer than 12 months to see definite results as most patients will have a full head of hair in 8-9 months. In the coming months, it is important that you maintain proper hair health in order to maximize your results. Simple things such as including omega-3’s and biotin supplements in your diet can help make a difference in your hair health and maximize your results.
If you have any concerns about your results, do not hesitate to contact us at any time. We are here to help you maximize your results and ensure that you feel confident and happy with your treatment.
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