Post-hair swelling is a common condition after hair transplantation. The forehead, face, and eyelids are the areas most affected by this swelling and can impair the person’s quality of life. A throbbing pain may occur depending on the tension that occurs with the feeling of swelling. After hair transplantation, swelling can be significantly reduced with simple measures, or this period can be easily overcome without any swelling.

Why Does Face Swelling Occur After Hair Transplantation?

Forehead swelling and swelling of the eyelids and symptoms are common between the 2nd and 5th days after the hair transplant operation. Sometimes it can be very severe and the eyelids may close and the person may have difficulty opening their eyes. Sometimes this swelling in the eye may cause temporary bruises (ecchymosis) on the eyelids. In fact, swelling after hair transplantation is normal and expected.

We open micro channels to place the hair follicles in the balding area during transplantation. It is a fact that we perform this process especially with the FUE method. Then the hair follicles are adapted to these holes one by one by our doctors. We inject the isotonic fluid (saline fluid), which we call physiological saline, under the skin in order to add the hair follicles easily and properly. The areas where liquid is introduced are enlarged and relatively soft. In this way, we place the hair follicles more easily. Therefore, it is possible to inflate the planting area. We easily sieve the hair follicles in the inflated area into the previously opened channels.

Why Does Face Swelling Occur After Hair Transplantation?

In addition, the channels opened on the scalp and the needle strikes are a minor trauma. Edema that occurs in response to trauma is also a defense mechanism of the body. This isotonic fluid starts to descend towards the forehead area with the effect of gravity, which takes 2-3 days from hair transplantation.

Facial swelling is more common in the canal method. Severe swelling may descend from the forehead to the eye contour. There may even be areas of ecchymoses that we call bruises around the eyes. In fact, an important part of this swelling is due to the fact that the simple recommendations of the doctor are not followed after the hair transplantation.

When Does Swelling Pass After Hair Transplantation? How many days will it take?

Normally, these swellings disappear spontaneously within about 1 week. These fluids enter the body circulation and urine is excreted from the body through the kidney. In addition, local anesthesia fluids given to numb the area of saline research transplantation may cause swelling. As you can see, swelling after hair transplantation is actually an expected condition. However, it is an important issue that the clinical staff who will perform the hair transplant operation correctly explain this situation. It is possible for the transplant person to worry that this swelling is a bad result.

Post Hair Transplant Swelling Classification

Post-hair transplant swelling can be classified according to the severity of the clinical situation. Knowing these classes is important because they help us do the status check in a timely manner:

Stage 0: No swelling.

Stage 1: There is edema only in the upper part of the forehead. Somewhat exceeded.

Stage 2: Swelling in the forehead, edema in the upper and lower forehead. Rarely, medical treatment may be required.

Stage 3: Edema around the eyes. It is a little slower.

Stage 4: Bruising on the eyelids. It may take up to 10 days for the bruises to disappear.

What are the ways to prevent swelling after hair transplantation?

There are some methods to reduce this swelling. The proper lying position of the head during sleep reduces edema. It is recommended to sleep in a semi-sitting position with the head high. An average head position of 45 degrees is sufficient. Using two pillows and keeping the head high during sleep can solve this problem. Do not lie face down. This increases the formation of swelling after hair transplantation and increases the risk of dislocation of the roots by rubbing the planted roots against the pillow and the roots may be damaged.

Apart from this, there is no serious risk of swelling after hair transplantation. You need to follow the nutrition and post-planting rest advice given to you. Excessively salty foods may increase the amount of swelling as it will increase fluid retention. It will be beneficial to eat your meals with less salt from before the operation. Take care not to disturb the sleep pattern.

Drink plenty of fluids. Drink plenty of water. Since the circulation will accelerate, the removal of edema fluid in the forehead and face area from the body will be faster through urine.

Steroid Therapy in cases of swelling after hair transplantation:

Swelling problem may occur after hair transplantation. Because many procedures have been done on the scalp. It is possible to solve this problem with the application of medical steroids that your doctor will apply to more severe stage 3 and 4 patients. Your doctor solves this problem very easily with physical methods. Steroids are a drug known as cortisone among the people. It is a fact that it is applied in many fields of medicine as well as in treatment. They use steroid therapy in a variety of ways and methods. If we examine them in detail:

a) Oral Steroid Therapy:

Dexamethasone (decorative tablet) or Prednisolone (Prednol tablet) treatment: You need to take it orally as a tablet. Do not use without your doctor recommending you. Steroids are effective in many areas of medicine. However, never use it without your doctor’s approval. This is especially important in patients with hypertension and diabetes. If you do not apply salt restriction, cortisone group drugs will make the swelling worse.

b) Intramuscular Injection (in the hip) Steroid Application:

In severe edema cases, you can apply if your doctor deems appropriate. We have not specified the doses in drug administration here. Since these doses and application method will vary according to the person. Studies have shown that intramuscular steroid application

c) Steroid Application by Mixing with Anesthesia Solution:

It is a procedure we do with anesthesia application. Of course, this is a procedure that some of our physicians use frequently. It is used in the form of triamcinolone application with anesthetic solutions. There are studies using 100 cc normal saline.

This results the  in increased morbidity and absence from work due to unaesthetic appearance. Addition of triamcinolone to tumescent anaesthetic to  solution .