Hair loss affects men more than women. Hair loss that is excessive might lead to baldness on the scalp. Hair transplant is the most successful method for restoring a person’s lost hair. It can be thought of as a final resort for those who have lost hope in regaining their natural hair through medications. Hair transplant is a type of surgery that involves implanting hair you already have to fill an area with less or no hair.

Before you go for a hair transplant surgery there are some pre and post-surgery instructions you need to be aware of. In this article, we have listed down all the instructions you must follow before and after your hair transplant surgery.

Precautions to Take Before Hair Transplant Surgery

1. Stop Smoking

It is strongly advised that you refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol, or using any other drugs for a period of eight to ten days before and after your surgical hair transplant treatment.

2. Stop Using Blood Thinners

If you’re taking blood thinners for a stroke or heart problem, you should stop taking them a week before your appointment or as advised by your doctor. Minoxidil and Finasteride, for example, are also restricted.

3. Go for a Compulsory Blood Test

 Make sure you’ve completed all of your tests, such as:

• Random Blood Sugar Test
• Clotting Time Test
• Liver Function Test
• Electrocardiogram Test
• Bleeding Time Test
• Hemoglobin Test

The results of these tests have to be given to your doctor, either personally or via mail, within two days before your surgery.

4. Change the Color of Your Hair

If you have grey hair, you should dye it black two days before the procedure. It would make the hair transplant surgeon’s procedure much easier and more convenient because the donor and receptor sites can be fully visible when making incisions.

5. Hair Trimming

If your hair is long, it’s critical to trim it short (using a zero number machine) in order to see the particular bald spots where implantation is needed.

6. Before the Surgery, Shampoo

You should shampoo and condition your hair as usual right before your hair transplant operation. You shouldn’t use any other hair products, such as gel or wax, because you need to keep your hair as natural as possible.

7. Get Enough Sleep

Before the surgery, get at least 6-8 hours of sleep the night before.

8. Avoid T-shirts

When coming in for hair transplant surgery, avoid wearing a T-shirt that needs to be worn from the neck down. Instead, wear comfortable clothing (with buttons/zips) that you can easily put on and take off without touching your head.

9. Wear a Cap

Wearing a cap may keep your hair dust-free.

Precautions to Take After Hair Transplant Surgery

1. Pain /Swelling After Surgery

If you go for an FUE hair transplant or any other technique, there may be some pain or swelling in the area of the forehead. To minimize swelling, place ice cubes on a piece of cloth and apply them to the affected area. If the discomfort persists, take a painkiller (as directed by your doctor).

2. Medications

Before taking antibiotics, drink some milk or eat some food as directed on the prescription. It is never a good idea to take medications on an empty stomach.

3. Follow the Prescription

In the first week, avoid rubbing or combing your implanted grafts. Take your bath with caution and keep your head out of the water.

4. Instructions for Sleeping

Sleep with your head and back slightly elevated for at least a week after surgery, preferably in a recliner. Swelling is most likely in the first three to four nights. Sleeping in an elevated position will help you heal faster by reducing the swelling in your scalp and forehead

5. Appropriate Dressing

Remove the bandages at a doctor’s appointment or as directed in the instructions. After you’ve removed your bandage, scrub your scalp well to ensure that the grafts have enough moisture.

6. No Exposure to the Sun

For the first three days after surgery, avoid sun exposure or direct sunlight. Even after the third day, you should go out wearing a loose and appropriate cap or using an umbrella.

7. Donor Area

Maintain a clean donor area with sufficient care. Follow your doctor’s directions for using the spray or ointment. Other activities, such as combing and bathing, should be approached with considerable caution.

8. Avoid Heavy Activity

After 8-10 days, you can begin walking/jogging as a kind of body exercise; however, for roughly a month, avoid doing heavy activities such as going to the gym, lifting weights, running, and so on. During this time, no neck stretches are recommended.

9. Follow Healthy Diet

To get the energy you need, eat a sufficient amount of healthful food. A well-balanced diet rich in proteins and nutrients will aid in quick and effective healing and recovery.

10. Loss of Grafts

The grafts will begin to fall off during the second week after surgery, but this is nothing to be concerned about. It’s a side effect of the transplanted hair, and it’ll grow back in 2-3 months.

11. No Cosmetics for the Hair

For at least 4-5 months after the surgery, it is strictly forbidden to use cosmetic hair products such as sprays, gels, blow dryers, hair color, and so on. These products can have a negative impact on the growth of grafts that have been transplanted.

Other precautions to follow before and after hair transplant surgery may be specific to a particular patient or clinic and can be provided by your doctor. If you have specific health issues, your doctor may additionally ask you to avoid performing certain tasks and take a tablet. Following the precautions before and after hair transplant procedure is very important to ensure you get the best results.