If you have lost a good amount of hair from your head, a hair transplant can help you regain your locks and make you feel better about your appearance. During the procedure, a surgeon moves hair from another part of your body to fill an area with little to no hair. The entire process typically take between 4 and 8 hours to complete. If you’re getting this procedure soon, it’s important to know how to take care of yourself afterward. How well you take of yourself can have an impact on your final results.
Here are some tips for recovering from a hair transplant.
Sleep With Your Head Elevated
It’s a good idea to sleep with your head elevated for at least a week after your hair transplant surgery. Otherwise, you may experience more swelling. If you have a reclining chair, you can try sleeping in that for the first week. If you don’t to do that, be sure to prop up at least three pillows behind your head in your bed.
Don’t Expose Your Scalp to the Sun
After you get a hair transplant procedure, it’s very important to protect your scalp from the sun. Your scalp will be very tender after the surgery and won’t be able to protect itself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The sun can also damage the underlying tissues and hair follicles that haven’t healed in your scalp, potentially jeopardizing your final results. That’s why it’s always important to wear a hat when you head outside.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
For the first week after your hair transplant surgery, you should avoid any strenuous activities that will get your heart rate up. This may include running, lifting weights and bike riding. If you engage in strenuous activities too soon, you run the risk of dislodging your hair follicles. Try to take it easy and rest as much as possible.
Wait 48 Hours Before Washing Your Hair
It’s important to wait at least 48 hours after the hair transplant procedure to wash your hair. Then, you can begin washing your hair with gentle shampoo and warm water for the next two weeks.
Keep Your Hands Off Your Scalp
After you get a hair transplant surgery, it’s tempting to touch your scalp. However, you should avoid doing this. If you touch your scalp, you can irritate it and even increase the risk of infection.
Don’t Drink Alcoholic Beverages
Drinking a glass of champagne or wine to celebrate your new hair might not seem like a bad idea. However, drinking alcohol too soon can reduce the blood supply to your head and slow down the recovery process. Try not to drink any alcoholic beverages for at least a week after your surgery.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to recover from your hair transplant just fine. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor.
Resources:
Wikipedia, Hair Treatment