Post Surgery Care & Instructions

Following any hair transplant surgery, you should relax comfortably for at least one day, with only minimal activity. You should feel comfortable about returning to work in a day or two, as long as your work does not involve strenuous physical activity. The recovery time following your hair transplant procedure is usually relatively brief and normal activities can be resumed rather quickly.

Expect a call from your Patient Advisor and/or the surgeon’s office the day following your procedure to check-in with you and see if you need to come to the office (most patients do not).

For the first one to three nights after your surgery, plan on sleeping with your head elevated at a 45-degree angle to reduce swelling and provide comfort.

To Reduce Bleeding

In order to reduce the risk of bleeding, DO NOT USE aspirin or any aspirin-containing products for three to five days after surgery. In addition, DO NOT drink alcohol during this time, either.

The night after surgery through a few days following your procedure, it is possible to experience some minor bleeding at the incision sites.  The bleeding may be controlled with the application of a gauze pad with firm, steady pressure for about 15 minutes. DO NOT lift the gauze during the 15 minute time period. Pressure should be firm, but not so firm as to dislodge any grafts.

There can also be bleeding at the donor site.  If this occurs, remember to gently lift any hair covering the area so the hair doesn’t adhere to the donor area and impede healing.

Dislodged Graft?

Should bleeding persist, contact the office at 1-800-510-3386 for additional guidance.

A graft can be dislodged or combed out following the first few days following your procedure. This is very rare, however, if this does happen, do not panic. You most likely will not lose more than a few hair roots. As your newly transplanted hair begins to grow in it will cover up any slight loss of grafts.

Controlling Discomfort

For the first night or two following surgery, discomfort is not unusual. You may require medication to control the pain.

While you should avoid aspirin and similar products, you can safely take prescription Tylenol 3, Vicodin, or Percocet if they have been prescribed by your surgeon.

Care of  Your Surgical Site / “Crusting”

You will need to take care of the surgical site in order to speed up the healing process. One of the most important things you can do is keep the transplant site moist. For the first three days following surgery, you will need to moisten two or three pieces of gauze with saline solution and apply the gauze to the transplant site. The surgeon’s office can tell you what proportion of saline to use for this. This process should be completed twice daily, for 30 to 60 mins at a time throughout those first three days post-surgery.

In addition, applying an ointment like Bacitracin, Polysport, or Aquaphor to the recipient site numerous times a day can help keep the site from drying out. This will help to reduce crusting during your healing process. However, these products are greasy; so you may find a water soluble product, like K-Y gel, to be a better choice. Any crusting that may develop at your recipient site may continue for 10 to 14 days.

Controlling Swelling

Swelling is very common for about two to four days post-surgery. This may occur especially after your first transplant on the forehead, and it will not cause any lasting problems. The pull of gravity may bring the swelling down so far as your eyelids, causing a black eye. Just remember that this is only temporary.

Swelling may be reduced by sleeping with your head elevated about 45 degrees for about the first three nights. Adding pillows on your bed or sleeping in a recliner are two options to help ensure your head remains elevated.

Reducing Risk of Infection

While rare, infection following hair transplant surgery can happen.  An infection can increase the recovery time required. The risk of infection can be reduced by avoiding exposure to airborne dirt at work and at  home for the two weeks following surgery.

Do not touch the donor or recipient areas without washing your hands first!

If you experience any increased tenderness or redness at your surgical sites, it is important that you call and speak with your surgeon.

Physical Exertion

For approximately a week following your surgery, it is important to refrain from strenuous activity; both work and recreationally.

Refrain from lifting any heavy objects, like weightlifting, or swimming in chlorinated water for at least ten days, preferably for two weeks, following surgery.

If your work isn’t physically strenuous, you may return to light duty the day after surgery. However, most people take two or three days off to recover. You may feel more comfortable taking a full week off, especially if this is your first procedure. This may help if you’re concerned about swelling and crusting at the surgery site. The crusting should fall off between 7 and 10 days after your surgery and may be more noticeable if you have little hair.

DO NOT TOUCH your grafts, even lightly, for two or three days following surgery.

Your hair may be washed gently in the shower the day after your surgery.  Clean the graft area using a plastic cup.  Dilute a small amount of shampoo in the cup and gently let the water run over the surgery site.  Rinse the area in the same manner.  After three days, you can gently touch your grafts with your fingertips to apply shampoo and rinse.  Avoid letting the water in the shower strike the graft area directly for at least five days following surgery.

When styling you hair, products like holding spray and styling mousse can be used a week after surgery.  However, it is important to remember to wash these products off every day. It is also important to be cautious when combing your hair so as not to dislodge your grafts.

You should avoid using a hair dryer for at least one or two weeks after your procedure.  When resuming use, only use at a lower temperatures for a week more.

Any salon styling services like cuts, colors, or perms should be delayed until all crusting has fallen away from your scalp.