Your Checklist Before And After A Hair Transplant

Going for a hair transplant procedure is a big decision and not one to be taken lightly – while you might have gotten all the information about how the procedure will be done, you need to pay just as much attention to what you need to do before and after the procedure has been completed. When you are signed up with a good doctor and a clinic that has handled innumerable transplant procedures before, you will not have much to worry about, because they will give you a detailed list of what you need to do before, during the after the procedure has been completed.

Here are some of the most important things that you need to do before you head for your transplant:

• About 10 days before your procedure has been scheduled, your medications will be either stopped or altered. If you are taking aspirin in any form or vitamin E, you will be asked to stop taking them. You might also be asked to stop taking multi vitamins too, because they might contain vitamin E. It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications that you are taking, because some of them could actually cause trouble during or after the procedure.
• One week before the procedure you might be prescribed vitamin C, because it will help increase the healing procedure. In addition, you might also be asked to start taking vitamin K, because it is known to reduce the bruising, which is often noticed as a part of the procedure.
• About three to four days before your procedure, you will be asked to stop smoking and drinking, in addition to stopping medications such as ibuprofen. You will also be asked to stop over exposure to sunlight.
• If you have grey or lighter coloured hair, you might be asked to get them coloured, because this will offer better visibility to the doctor. In case you have been asked to colour your hair, you need to do it at least 3 days in advance. However, do not get a haircut, because your doctor will decide how much of your hair to trim.
• In case you are travelling to another city for the procedure, it would make sense to arrive at least one day in advance. Ensure that your stay arrangements have been made and you might even want to ask the hotel to arrange for transportation, because you will not be able to drive immediately after the procedure.
• If your procedure is in your own city, ask a friend or family member to pick you up after the procedure or arrange for a cab. Most of the good clinics will arrange for a cab for you, should you ask them to assist you with the same.
• Before you head to the clinic, make sure that you wash your hair and scalp with a mild shampoo and do not apply any hair products.

Now let’s move to the things that you need to keep in mind, after the procedure:

• Immediately after the procedure, you will be asked to rest for a while, because the effects of the anaesthesia will take some time to wear off. Normally, you will be able to return home, within a few hours of the procedure, but do make sure that you have someone to drive you home.
• For a few days after the procedure, you will be asked to sleep with your head elevated at all times. You will also have to wear the protective bandage that you will be given at the clinic. These are essential to protecting the grafts which would have been implanted, as these grafts are extremely delicate.
• On the day after the procedure, you will be asked to wash your hair, extremely gently and with a really mild shampoo. The hair washing schedule will be provided to you, and it is imperative that you stick to it.
• You will also be prescribed certain medications, and it is necessary that you take them on time and without fail. You will also be asked to avoid alcohol and smoking for the next few days and you should do the same.
• Ideally, you should not step out in the sun for the next few days, but if you must, make sure that you keep your head covered.
• You will also be asked to avoid all kinds of strenuous activities, including lifting heavy weights and swimming, but you might get permission for running or light yoga. Do confirm the same with the doctor first.
• After one week, you will be asked to wash your hair twice a day, but with extremely gentle hands and a mild shampoo.
• After about 2 weeks, you might be given permission to resume smoking, although it is a good idea to refrain for as long as possible. It will be during this period that you will be allowed to take direct showers, but hot water on the head will continue to be a no-no.
• After about a month, you will be able to resume physical activity including going to the gym and indulging in sports. This will also be the time when you will be given permission to apply oil on your hair and use conditioner. If you want to colour your hair, this might be the right time to do so.

If you are considering a hair transplant surgery in the near future, it is absolutely imperative that you have all the above mentioned points in your mind.

About Author: Dr. Kapil Dua, Co-Founder & Chairman at AK Clinics has over fourteen years of clinical and teaching experience in the fields of Otolaryngology & Hair Transplant. You can get in touch through the following mediums –