A hair transplant procedure is a surgery, nonetheless. It might be minimally invasive and deal with microscopic elements, but it also requires rest.

It is important to follow the post-op care indications given by your surgeon. An FUE hair transplant post-op care is easy to follow and neglecting them risks losing the work done.

Instructions for FUE Hair Transplant Post-Op Care

The following covers a list of situations that can arise after the procedure and how to treat them.

Grafted Area Care

Your surgeon will provide you with a spray can containing a sterile saline solution. Apply to a piece of gauze or sterilized cloth and gently pass it over the transplanted area for 30 minutes for two times a day. 

This maintains moisture levels in the grafted area, which greatly helps the healing process.

Sunlight

For the time of your recovery period, your scalp, particularly, your receiving site will be very sensitive to almost anything. That includes sunlight.

The heat from sunlight dries your hair; it does the same for the graft the surgery just placed into the scalp. The graft needs its natural moisture to take successfully to the site. Wear a hat that is not to tight when going out. It has to leave room for the grafts to breathe.

Scabbing

Scabs will appear in the donor area; these usually fall on their own after a week and a half. Applying ointments will soften the crusts and the feeling of them (Bacitracin and Polysporin work fine).

Hair Washing

You can wash your hair starting the first day after the surgery following these considerations.

• Don’t use the shower for the first three days.
• Wash the grafted area using a cup full of water to have complete control over the quantity applied.
• After 3 days, you can gently touch the grafts with your fingertips only.
• When touching them, avoid doing so with your fingernail.
• If combing, do so gently, so you don’t pull the graft.
• Avoid using hair dryers for 2 weeks.

You can resume regular showering once your surgeon deems it safe, usually after 8 to 10 days.

Medication

Your surgeon will hand you prescriptions for a series of medications to take to assist your healing process. Please stick with the dosage and schedule the surgeon provides you with for each medication.

Swelling

Might occur the day after the surgery or after. To prevent most of it, please sleep with your head at a 45-degree angle using extra pillows. The swelling might descend from your forehead to your eyelids as well if not controlled. 

The application of an ice pack for 2 minutes every 15 to 30 minutes during the day helps. Itch might accompany the swelling which the ice packs also take care of.

Infections

These very rarely occur if you follow the post-op care instructions. Thus, do not expose your hair to dirt or air that carries dirt, also don’t put your hands in the grafted area.

Only sterilized hands can touch the area if necessary. An actual infection gives a tender feeling in the swollen area accompanied by a reddish colouring. If you suspect an infection, contact your surgeon immediately.