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.

Especially in transplantation with the FUE method, micro channels are opened to place the hair follicles in the balding area during transplantation. Then, hair follicles are placed one by one into these holes. In order for the hair follicles to be placed easily and smoothly, isotonic fluid (saline fluid), which we call physiological saline, is injected under the skin. Areas where fluid is given are expanded and relatively softened. In this way, hair follicles are placed more easily. Therefore, the area to be transplanted will be inflated. In the inflated area, the hair follicles are easily placed in previously opened channels.

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, if this situation is not explained properly by the doctor or clinic staff who will perform the hair transplant operation, the transplant person thinks that this swelling is a situation and becomes worried.

Post Hair Transplant Swelling Classification

Post-hair transplant swelling can be classified according to the severity of the clinical situation:

Stage 0: No swelling.

Stage 1: There is edema only on the upper part of the forehead. It is slightly overcome.

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:

The swelling problem after hair transplantation can be solved very easily with physical methods and medical steroid application to be applied by your doctor to patients in more severe Stage 3 and 4. Steroids are drugs popularly known as cortisone. It can be applied in many areas of medicine as well as in the treatment. Steroid therapy can be applied in several ways. If we examine them in detail:

a) Oral Steroid Therapy:

Dexametazon (decorate tablet) or Prednisolone (Prednol tablet) treatment: It is taken orally as a tablet. Do not use without your doctor recommending you. Steroids are used in many areas of medicine. It should never be used without your doctor’s approval. This is especially important in patients with hypertension and diabetes. If salt restriction is not applied, cortisone group drugs on the contrary can increase swelling.

 

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

It can be applied if your doctor deems appropriate in cases of severe oedema. 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 can be performed by anesthesia application. It is preferred by some physicians. In the form of triamcinolone application with anesthetic solutions. It has been proven by studies that the application of Normal Saline saline 100 cc.

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