The time after your hairtransplant
After a hair transplant, proper aftercare is essential for healing and the survival of hair follicles. Here you can find information on what to consider before your hair transplant, as well as how to care for the area after surgery. The aftercare is just as important as the performance of the hair transplant itself.
Step by step to healing
Bandage
24h
Around lunchtime the day after the procedure, the bandage should be removed. It is important that it does not sit longer than 24 hours, otherwise it can dry into the skin. Read more about how to remove it here.
Sleeping
48h
You can start sleeping as usual 2 days after your hair transplant. Now the hair follicles have grown firmly and you don't have to worry about causing any damage while sleeping.
Alcohol
48h
Alcohol should be avoided up to 48 hours after the procedure. Alcohol can affect blood circulation and increase the risk of bleeding or swelling in the treated area.
Laundry
3 days
You shall shoe the hair with water 3 days after your hair transplant and wash it daily until the dry crusts disappear. After 7 days, you can apply shampoo. After 10 days, gently massage the area with your fingertips when showering.
Cap and cap
2 days
You can start sleeping as usual 2 days after your hair transplant. Now the hair follicles have grown firmly and you don't have to worry about causing any damage while sleeping.
Smoking and tobacco
7 days
Smokers are advised to completely abstain from tobacco at least 7 days after the procedure. Smoking has a great impact on blood circulation, and therefore has a negative effect on the healing process.
Styling products
14 days
After 14 days, healing has gone so far that you can start applying styling products to your hair.
Training
14 days
When can you exercise after hair transplantation? The hair follicles have grown tight enough for you to start exercising again 14 days after the hair transplant.
Sauna and bath
4 weeks
4 weeks after the procedure, you can start bathing in the sauna again without the hair follicles being damaged by the heat. Guests can also swim in the public pool, the sea and the hot tub.
Cutting and coloring
4 weeks
When can you cut your hair after hair transplantation? After 4 weeks, the transplanted hair can be trimmed, but not shorter than 3 mm. If you trim your hair with a trimmer, it is important that you use plastic covers to protect the transplant area. The rest of the hair and the donation area can be cut any way you want. 4 weeks after your surgery, you can also dye your newly transplanted hair.
Sun
3 months
Avoid bright sunlight for the first 3 months after the procedure. When applying sunscreen factor, you can be in the sun after 4 weeks.
Shaving
6 months
The transplanted area must absolutely not be shaved for the first 6 months. After that, you can start shaving your hair with a shaver or using a razor. If you shave before 6 months have passed, you risk causing damage to the transplanted hair follicles.
How to remove the bandage
Around lunchtime the day after the procedure, the bandage should be removed. It is important that it does not sit longer than 24 hours, otherwise it can dry into the skin. Gently pull off the bandage with clean hands. After removing the bandage, you can wipe the skin clean with paper if there is a little blood residue left. If the bandage has dried to the skin, blood may appear when you take it off, but it is not dangerous and will heal quickly. If you want to wash the area, it's fine.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before you start.
- Gently pull off the bandage with clean hands.
- If there are blood residues left on the skin, you can wipe clean the area with a soft paper.
- If the bandage has dried firmly into the skin, some blood may appear when you remove it — this is not dangerous and heals quickly.
- It is good to wash the area after removing the bandage, if you want
- You do not need to put on any new bandage afterwards, but let it air
- If it itches or becomes dry, it is excellent to lubricate with regular lotion
How should you sleep after your hair transplant?
The first two nights after your Hair Transplant it is important to protect the newly transplanted area and avoid any contact with pillows, blankets or other surfaces. Therefore, sleep with your head in an elevated position of about 45 degrees to reduce swelling and give the hair follicles the best possible healing.
We recommend using a neck pillow and placing extra pillows or rolled-up towels at your sides to keep your head stable during the night. This is especially good if you move a lot while sleeping.
After two nights, the hair follicles have grown firmly, and you can return to sleeping in your usual position without the risk of damaging the result.
Wash your hair properly
Three days after your hair transplant, you can start rinsing your hair daily with lukewarm water and low pressure. Let the water drain gently for at least 10 minutes so that the scabs soften and fall away more easily. After seven days, you can start using shampoo, and after ten days you can gently massage the area with your fingertips when taking a shower.
Donation area in the neck can be washed already from the moment the bandage is removed. To dry, gently bathe with paper towels — after ten days you can use a clean towel. It is important to wash your hair every day according to these instructions until the scabs are completely gone, which usually happens within 7—14 days. Once the scabs are loosened, the hair follicles get the best chance to start growing and the result improves.
MEDICATIONS
Reduce the risk of swelling and infection
After your hair transplant, you will receive medications that reduce the risk of swelling and infection. It is important that you follow the prescription you received at your consultation, as we have gone through the aftercare in detail.
- If you get pain in your neck or head, you can take 1-2 tablets of Ibuprofen as needed, preferably with meals.
- The antibiotic Dalacin is taken for three days to prevent infection: the day of the operation (1 tablet in the clinic and 1 in the evening), day two and three (1 tablet morning and evening).
- Cortisone is given to counteract swelling and is dissolved in a glass of water: the day of surgery (6 tablets in the clinic), day one (4 tablets in the morning) and day two (2 tablets in the morning).
Always follow the schedule carefully for the best possible healing and results.
