HAIR TRANSPLANT AFTERCARE TIMELINE
- 1 – 5 Days
What to Expect:
You may experience some swelling, red spots, scabs, itching and minor discomfort in the transplant area. Small amount of liquid may appear on your pillow. Do not worry, this is but the liquid injected during the operation is getting out of your scalp. Mild pain can be felt for a couple of days. You will wash your hair two days after the surgery. Before the wash, you will remove the bandages. After the first wash, you do not need to wear them anymore.
What to Do:
You should sleep with the neck pillow for the first 5 days after the surgery and remember that you can sleep only on your back for the first 5 days. Refrain from touching or scratching the transplant area. Use an ice compress on your forehead and eyes for relief, but do not apply it directly to the recipient and donor areas. Take pain relief medication provided by MCAN Health if necessary, and never scratch the recipient and donor areas to ensure optimal results. If you do not have swelling on your forehead, you do not have to wear a headband.
- 5 – 14 Days
What to Expect:
The intensity of red spots should start to decrease gradually. There should be no more traces of dried blood, scabs or crust on your scalp.
What to Do:
If there are still some crusts after 7 days, please gently remove them while washing your hair. Remember to never scratch your recipient and donor areas. Seven days after the operation, you can have sex. But before that, sweating is not good for the operation area. Also, you should sleep carefully for a week.
- 2 – 4 Weeks
What to Expect:
The transplanted hair may start to shed (shock loss), which is a normal part of the process. They may continue to fall out over the first two months.
What to Do:
Don’t be alarmed if you notice some hair loss from the transplanted area; this is expected and temporary.
- 1 – 3 Months
What to Expect:
3 months after the transplantation, your hair will start to grow, although it may be thin and fine initially. Soothing creams, Argan oil and Coconut oil can be used at least 4 months after the surgery. Aloe Vera is also an excellent option to help heal the donor area, but we do not want you to use it for the recipient area.
What to Do:
Now you may start shaving your transplanted hair with scissors. After 1 month you can start light exercise, but wait for 2 months to start heavy exercising.
- 6-12 Months and Beyond
What to Expect:
Between 6-12 months the final phase is completed and 80% of the transplanted hair is expected to grow. The success rate can go up to 90%-%98 as long as the patient follows the necessary steps during the recovery.
What to Do:
At 6. month you can start shaving your hair with a razor blade and at 12. month with a shaving machine. During this period, be patient and continue to follow up with your assigned MCAN Health nurse. Be gentle when styling and washing your hair.