Hair transplant surgery is a life-changing and exciting event and can be a source of confidence and pride for the recipient after years of unwanted baldness. The procedure takes a few hours, but postoperative treatment can take several weeks.
Swelling and redness after treatment is a situation that makes patients doubt about having this treatment. In fact, it should not be feared because the swelling will not take long to pass. Most of the swelling after hair transplantation will subside within a week at the latest.
In addition to injecting many young people with full head of hair, the procedure can have some unpleasant side effects. Patients should take precautions for better chances with faster recovery, faster hair regeneration and fewer complications.
Preoperative measures are required before hair transplant surgery to prevent side effects. These measures include:
- Testing for drug interactions
- Quit smoking at least a few weeks before the procedure
- Control of blood clotting complications
- Check for medications such as aspirin and anticoagulants
- Controlling alcohol intake before and after hair transplantation
Normal results after transplantation
Although hair transplant surgery is generally painless due to the application of local anesthetics and rapid healing, you may experience some unpleasant but short-lived results such as:
Numbness – The scalp may feel numb and uncomfortable from a few days to weeks after surgery.
Swelling – The skin on the scalp and around the face may swell to varying degrees in different patients. Swelling sometimes occurs a few days after surgery and can last up to three weeks before remission.
Bruises – Some parts of the scalp may show discoloration that clears on its own within two weeks of the procedure.
Itching – As the scar heals, the itching is normal and can continue for several days.
Possible complications of hair transplant surgery
Surgery has varying degrees of risk, regardless of the surgeon’s experience. While these results will affect only a small percentage of patients, they may be unpleasant and include:
- Bacterial infection of the scalp
- Hair transplant failure
- Drug reactions to anesthesia
- Development of Keloids
- Discoloration of the hair receiving area
- High scar in the donor area
- Postoperative edema
Does the process hurt?
A FUE hair transplant procedure is not painful, in our clinic we use a local anesthetic to numb the area before starting the treatment, which may sting a little at first, but after a few minutes you will not feel pain for the rest of the procedure. Patients describe the feeling as strange during the procedure, as you may feel the surgeon working on your scalp and a slight rubbing sensation, but it is certainly tolerable and some patients even fall asleep during the procedure.
After the procedure you may start to feel a little discomfort in the hours after the procedure as the local anesthetic starts to wear out, but this is easily treated with painkillers and should not take more than a few days and you will be fine to return to work in a week after redness and initial swelling.
Our goal is to provide all our patients with exceptional care during their time in our clinic and to make you feel comfortable and relaxed, driving during any procedure is our priority.
Hair Transplant Restoration: What to Expect
You can leave the clinic immediately after treatment. The healing lasts about 5-7 days, after this point any redness or slight swelling in the treatment area will have subsided. If the swelling has not disappeared after a week, do not worry, call your doctor for information. In some cases, there may be a little longer swelling.
Steps for quick recovery
After surgery, patients can take some steps to promote rapid healing and prevent complications. Here are some steps you can take to begin the process of preparation for mediation.
Physical exercise
Exercise is discouraged after a hair transplant as the body needs a lot of time to rest and rejuvenate. Exercising immediately after surgery puts too much pressure on the surgical site, which can jeopardize the success of the procedure. There is also an increased risk of irritation caused by contact of sweat with the scar.
Avoid smoking
Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals that slow down the healing of the scalp surgical area. Smokers are encouraged to abstain from smoking for two weeks before hair transplant surgery and two weeks after.
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol should not be consumed before and after the hair transplant procedure for about two weeks. Alcohol causes thinning of the blood which makes the coagulation process difficult, prolonging the bleeding from the scar.
Take prescription drugs
A patient is likely to take painkillers to manage postoperative pain and antibiotics to prevent bacterial scar infection. Take the medicine according to the instructions to make sure it is effective
Keep your head up
It is important to keep your head in a raised position while resting or sleeping to relieve any pressure that may lead to swelling.
Avoid wetting your scalp
Patients should avoid the temptation of shampooing their hair immediately after a hair transplant. Wetting your hair too early can lead to scar infection.
Limit sun exposure
Exposure of the scar zone to the sun can irritate the scar and cause redness. It can cause dryness of the scar and prolong the healing process.
Do not dye your hair
Hair dye contains powerful chemicals that can easily penetrate the scar tissue and cause irritation and infection.
Nutritional issues
Healthy foods play a vital role in the development of strong, attractive hair. A diet that promotes hair growth such as vitamin B7, iron, zinc and vitamin A ensure the growth of quality, healthy hair.
Hair transplantation is a generally safe and successful procedure, depending on the surgeon’s skills, the technique used, and the patient’s efforts to ensure that all postoperative instructions are followed in detail. It may take several weeks to a year to see the full benefits of the procedure. However, a full head of hair is a great reward for patience.