Men and women from all over the world suffer from hair loss that can lead to balding. Some hair loss caused by illness, poor nutrition, and surgical procedures can resolve on its own. But the main cause of hair loss, called alopecia, such as male-pattern/female-pattern balding, can result in the permanent loss of hair. Hair transplants are a surgical process that is used to restore hair to areas that have been affected with balding. New hair growth takes about 6 months to start to fully grow in. Properly caring for your hair after a transplant will help improve your success rate and ensure a great result!
The very first thing is to make sure that you are gentle around your transplant area after your procedure. Apply any medication that has been provided to the areas as prescribed, using minimal pressure to avoid disturbing the sections of transplanted hair. Wait at least 48 hours before you start to shampoo your hair using the spray shampoo provided to you. After a week, you can start using a gentle shampoo to carefully cleanse the area around the hair follicles. With a light touch, carefully apply the shampoo, avoiding any rubbing motions. Rinse using a cup or a bowl of water, avoiding strong, direct water pressure. Pat the transplant area dry using a soft towel for the first 2 weeks.
Once the healing begins, you may start to notice slight itching and scabbing around the transplanted area. Avoid picking at the small scabs or scratching this area. Use the HairMedica CopperK calming spray that we provide to take away the itching. You will also apply the CopperK scalp cream that we provide for the first 7 to 10 days to help with the scabbing and healing process. This will need to be applied as necessary to the donor area as well as the transplant area.
Sometimes a patient will also have the potential of some minor folliculitis. In this case, Loprox will be prescribed and will take the itching, redness, and irritation away within the first few days of using it.
Limit your activities for the first few days immediately after your transplant. All physical activities, such as jogging, exercising, and sports should be avoided for at least the first 7 to 10 days.
Try and eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of healthy foods. Good nutrition may improve your hair growth as well as keep you in overall good health. Your diet should include antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries, cherries, peppers, and tomatoes. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
After the second week, you are free to get your hair cut and styled however you want. This is a good time to also treat yourself to a gentle scalp massage. You can even try these essential oils too to help stimulate your hair growth: rosemary, sage, and peppermint. Most higher-end salons, spas, and hairdressers will offer these oils. Ask if it is possible to get a hot towel treatment and a head massage while you are there.
The hair that has been transplanted is permanent. But the hairs that were already there may not last as long. So using minoxidil/Rogaine can help your hair last longer. This is offered in many forms such as a shampoo or a spray. However, do not use minoxidil/Rogaine for the first month after a hair transplant, as it will dry out the area of the transplanted hairs and may affect the results.
