Post-Operative Care After Hair Transplant – The Most Effective Instructions

Hair loss is a significant problem for people today. Besides age and genetics, there are several other reasons people experience hair loss. Some of the reasons that cause hair loss in modern days include poor lifestyle, immense stress, poor dietary habits, chronic illnesses, and so on. Whatever the reason for your hair loss, you can always opt for a hair transplant in Malaysia.

Hair transplant therapies are the best options to get rid of your baldness. These treatments are effective and long-lasting. People who opt for hair transplant surgeries get fuller and more natural-looking hair. There are numerous hair transplant treatments, including DHI Total Care System, Follicle Unit Extraction (FUE), Follicle Unit Transplant (FUT), and so on. In addition to opting for the best hair transplant in Malaysia, it is crucial to adhere to a set of post-operative instructions and tips to achieve optimal results.

In this post, we are sharing with you the most important post-operative aftercare instructions for effective outcomes. Take a look...

Why is Post-Operative Aftercare Important?

Post-operative aftercare plays a crucial role in the hair transplant procedure. The quality of your results will depend on the level of care you provide for your transplanted hair during the recovery period. The primary focus after a hair transplant is typically to minimize complications and side effects. 

Proper post-operative aftercare aids in your recovery from surgery and reduces the risk of complications or infections. Moreover, proper post-operative aftercare can assist in managing your emotional and mental well-being following surgery. Proper post-operative aftercare is crucial for your healing process. To increase the likelihood of a successful and smooth recovery, it is important to diligently follow your doctor's instructions and prioritize self-care. If you diligently adhere to post-operative procedures, you can be sure of the best outcomes.

What to Expect Post-Hair Transplant Surgery?

Immediately after the surgery, your doctor will be providing you with post-operative aftercare instructions. It is crucial to adhere to those instructions. Your surgeon will provide you with painkillers and other relevant instructions. Taking medicines on time is vital.  

It assists in handling pain and discomfort following a surgical procedure. Your doctor may prescribe painkillers or other medications to alleviate your pain and decrease inflammation. In addition, your doctor will provide you with instructions on how to properly care for your wound, including guidance on cleaning it, dressing it, and changing the bandages. It is important to carefully follow these instructions and refrain from touching or scratching your wound.

Administering medication to prevent swelling during surgery is a common practice. Despite taking medication, some individuals may still experience swelling in the area near the forehead, typically above the nose and around the eyes. In most cases, swelling disappears in a few weeks’ time. 

It takes around three months for new hair growth to appear in the area where the hair was transplanted. Typically, it takes about six months for new hair to grow and approximately eighteen months to observe full growth.

Post-operative Care Instructions

Proper post-operative care is crucial for the success and satisfaction of a hair transplant procedure. After your hair transplant surgery, it is important to follow these instructions for optimal results:

1. Keep your head elevated: It is advisable to keep your head elevated during the initial days to minimize swelling and bleeding. For this, you can consider using additional pillows or a recliner chair.

2. Refrain from physical activity: It is important to refrain from engaging in any strenuous physical activity after the surgery. Make sure to avoid physical activity for a minimum of two weeks following the surgery.

3. Avoid consuming smoking and drinking: Consuming alcohol and smoking should be prohibited for at least two weeks after the surgery.

4. Avoid direct sun exposure: Avoiding direct sun exposure is not allowed after the surgery. A newly operated area of your scalp will have wounds. Exposing yourself to direct sunlight can affect your scalp adversely. Hence, it is crucial to avoid direct sun exposure for at least two weeks following the surgery. These factors can potentially disrupt the healing process and cause harm to the transplanted grafts.

5. Clean the area: To properly care for the transplanted area, it is recommended to spray it with either saline solution or sterile water. For the first two days, spray the area every hour, and then reduce the frequency to every two hours for the following three days. Keeping the grafts moist will help prevent scab formation.

6. Wash your hair after four days of surgery: Wash your hair gently using a mild shampoo and warm water after four days following the surgery. 

7. Pat dry your hair. Use a soft towel to pat dry your hair or let your hair dry all by themselves. Make sure not to rub your hair while drying. 

8. Avoid rubbing, scratching, or picking at the scabs: The formation of scabs is natural post-surgery or in a wounded region. It is important to refrain from rubbing, scratching, or picking the scabs. Picking scabs can disrupt the healing process. 

9. Apply antibiotic cream: Apply moisturizer or antibiotic cream to the donor area to keep your newly operated scalp moisturized. This will aid in the healing process and reduce the risk of infection.

10. Avoid using chemicals. It is important to refrain from dyeing, bleaching, or perming your hair for at least four weeks following the surgery. Products used for dyeing, bleaching, and perming are chemical-based, which can damage your newly implanted hair follicles. 

11. Avoid using chemical-based hair care products: Most hair care products contain chemicals. Using chemical-based hair care products can adversely affect your newly transplanted hair follicles and impact the final outcome. After surgery, you should use only the medicated hair products your doctor prescribed.

12. Eat healthy: Eating healthy food that consists of all the essential nutrients, including protein, biotin, iron, zinc, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E. Consuming a healthy diet can be beneficial for both the healing process and promoting new hair growth.

13. Stay hydrated: Make sure to drink at least 2 litres of water daily. Staying hydrated can help you both in the healing process and promote new hair growth during the recovery period.

Wrapping it up...

So, these are the post-operative care instructions that you should follow religiously. In addition to following these instructions, it is important to maintain patience and have realistic expectations. The process of new hair growth and blending with your existing hair typically takes several months. The final results can vary based on your unique characteristics and the degree of hair loss you are experiencing. Also, make sure to choose a reputable facility for your hair transplant in Malaysia for the best outcome.