• Post published:July 28, 2024

Complete Post-Hair Transplant Care Guide for Long-Lasting Results 

Hair transplant procedures like FUE and MDEE or strip FUT can be life-changing for those looking to restore a natural hairline and a fuller head of hair. However, the journey doesn’t end with the surgery. 

Maintaining healthy, thriving hair post-transplant requires a commitment to ongoing care and attention to enjoy the best results. At Ziering Medical, we support our patients throughout their hair restoration journey, providing them with the best post surgical care. 

Note: These are only general guidelines for providing care for your hair after a hair transplant procedure. Your Ziering surgeon will provide you with complete post-op care instructions tailored to your needs, including medication, hair care products, and headwear as part of your hair restoration package at Ziering Medical. 

Shampooing

After a hair transplant procedure, your scalp will be sensitive, and the newly transplanted hair follicles will require gentle care to promote healing and minimize potential damage. Here are the steps to washing your after a hair transplant: 

  • The next day after your hair transplant procedure, you will be scheduled for an in-clinic hair wash. During this hair wash, we use the Folican Graft Conditioning Shampoo to gently wash your scalp and donor zone.
  • At home, you should use the remainder of the  Folican Graft Conditioning Shampoo until is finished. After that, use a mild, sulfate-free shampoo recommended by your surgeon to cleanse your scalp gently and maintain its natural oil balance.
  •  Mix a small amount of shampoo with warm water in a clean cup to create a soapy solution then pour the solution over the grafted area. For the first 5 days, do not touch the transplanted areas, just pour the water and shampoo mixture gently over the transplanted zones. Gently massage the donor area to help dislodge the scabs.  DO NOT pick or scratch the scabs or your scalp.
  •  Wash gently and avoid harsh scrubbing. Instead, massage the shampoo into your donor zone scalp using your fingertips in a circular motion.
  •  Rinse the area by filling the cup with lukewarm water and pouring it over the grafted area multiple times until all the soap is gone.
  •  On day 6, you may start a gentle massage to the transplanted area. Do not pick or scratch the scabs off. Apply the shampoo to the transplanted area, wait 5 minutes, then hop in the shower and let the shower head gently rinse away the shampoo. Then use a small amount on your fingertips to gently massage away the scabs.

Sun Protection

  • Keep the grafted area exposed to as much air as possible. 
  • If you will be in the sunlight for more than 10 minutes over the next 3 months, wear a loose-fitting hat starting on the third day after surgery. 
  •  After 10 days, you can use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, but be sure to wash it off at the end of the day. Avoid tanning for at least 3 months. 
  •  Hairpieces and wigs should only be worn if absolutely necessary, and only after two full weeks after surgery. 

Exercise and Physical Activity

  • For the first 10 days after your procedure, avoid strenuous activities that can raise your blood pressure, such as running, jogging, weight lifting, and sexual activities. 
  •  When picking up items from the floor, bend at your knees and keep your back straight to prevent your head from going below heart level. The increased pressure could cause the grafts to come out.

Styling

  • After shampooing your hair, you can comb it with light to moderate strokes, but avoid touching the grafted area and never use force. 
  • Do NOT use any products on the grafted area for the first 5 days. You can use a blow dryer on the coolest setting and keep it a few inches away from your scalp, preferably starting 3-5 days after the procedure. 
  • Haircuts can be done 2 weeks after surgery, and hair coloring can be done after 5-6 weeks. Toppik can be used after 7 days, but it should always be washed off.
  •  If you experience any scalp problems like itching, ingrown hairs, or flaking, please contact our medical staff for proper treatment.

Medication

  • Start taking your prescribed medications on the evening of your surgery. All medications should be taken with food and spaced one hour apart from each other.
  • Take antibiotics to prevent scalp infection. Be sure to complete the full course as directed on the package.
  • To manage pain, take pain medication as directed to help with any discomfort. Avoid taking it if you need to work, drive, or operate any machinery since it can make you drowsy. 
  • Also, don’t mix it with alcohol. If you need something milder, you can use regular or extra-strength Tylenol, just make sure it’s aspirin and ibuprofen-free

Diet and Nutrition 

  • After a hair transplant, focus on a balanced diet rich in lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. 
  • Drink plenty of water to aid healing. This can make a big difference in your recovery. 
  • You can begin taking Vitamin C 24 hours post-surgery and continue for two weeks to reduce swelling and bruising on your forehead.
  • DO NOT take the following for 5 days after surgery:
    • Medications containing Aspirin or Ibuprofen
    • Alcohol
    • Caffeine
    • Spicy food
    • Vitamin E (commonly found in multivitamins)
    • Fish oil

Swelling 

  • If prescribed, take Prednisone as directed, WITH FOOD. Never take it on an empty stomach as it can cause extreme nausea and an upset stomach. (1 dose a day = 4 tabs at the same time) You may also take 2 Prednisone pills in the morning with food, and 2 pills in the afternoon with food instead of taking all 4 pills at once.
  • Use a gel ice pack on your forehead for 20 minutes every two hours while you’re awake.
  • After icing, gently massage your forehead with firm pressure, moving fluid from the center out toward your ears, for at least 3-4 minutes each time.
  • To prevent extra swelling, keep your head elevated to eye level when using your cell phone, computer, or reading to 
  • Sleep with your head elevated at a 45-degree angle for the first 3-4 nights after surgery. 
  • Swelling from a hair transplant lasts around 3-6 days. If significant swelling continues after 3 days, stop using ice and switch to warm compresses on your forehead. Continue with forehead massages after each warm compress.

Bleeding 

  • Bleeding in the donor zone after a hair transplant is usually mild and it will stop as your scalp heals, so don’t panic if you experience slight bleeding in the donor zone of the scalp. 
  • For the first few nights, it’s a good idea to put a clean towel on your pillow. 
  • If you have any bleeding, press down firmly with gauze or a clean cloth for 10 to 15 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after that, just give our office a call.

What To Do If A Hair Graft Is Removed? 

It’s not uncommon for patients to accidentally bump their heads on something after a hair transplant. If a graft is accidentally dislodged or falls out, place it in a saltwater solution immediately and then refrigerate it. Please contact our nearest Ziering office as soon as possible.

DOWNLOAD OUR HAIR TRANSPLANTATION POST‐OP CARE GUIDE.

Is A Hair Transplant Permanent?

Yes, a hair transplant will restore hair permanently. The transplanted follicles are genetically resistant to baldness and will continue to grow hair for the rest of your life, just like they did in the donor area. However, the transplanted hair may thin or get finer as you get older, similar to the hair in the donor zone.

However, your results also depend largely on the surgeon you choose. While advanced hair transplant techniques have made it possible to achieve the most natural-looking results, the outcome is heavily influenced by the expertise of the surgeon performing the procedure.

Led by celebrity hair transplant surgeon, Dr. Craig Ziering, Ziering Medical’s surgeons are among the very best in the field of hair restoration, providing permanent and completely natural results and unparalleled post-transplant care. 

Call us to schedule a consultation. Discover why patients all over New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Southern California choose Ziering Medical for their hair restoration journey.