If you’re considering a hair transplant, one of the most important steps in preparing for the surgery. That includes understanding the procedure and what to expect both during and after surgery. It’s also important to follow your doctor’s pre-operative instructions to help ensure a successful outcome. If you are considering a hair transplant, there are many things to think about to ensure the best possible outcome. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your hair transplant.

Everything You Need To Know About Hair Transplants: How To Prepare, What To Expect

1. Introduction

2. What to expect during a hair transplant

3. How to prepare for your hair transplant

4. What you can do to ensure the best possible outcome

5. Recovering after your hair transplant

6. Final thoughts

1. Introduction

There are many things to think about when preparing for a hair transplant surgery. The most important thing to remember is to be as prepared as possible before the surgery. This will help to ensure a smooth and successful operation. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your hair transplant surgery:

2. What to expect during a hair transplant

There are many misconceptions about hair transplants. The most common is that the entire process is very painful. This is not the case. Patients report that the discomfort is minimal and that any pain they do experience is easily managed with medication.

Another common misconception is that the results of a hair transplant are not natural-looking. Again, this is not true. If you select a qualified and experienced surgeon, you can expect excellent results that will look completely natural.

Finally, some people believe that a hair transplant is very expensive. While it is not cheap, it is a cost-effective solution.

3. How to prepare for your hair transplant

There are a few key things to do before your hair transplant to ensure the best possible results. First, you’ll need to stop taking any blood thinners or aspirin a few days before the surgery. You’ll also want to make sure that you eat a healthy diet in the weeks leading up to your transplant. This will help your body heal properly after the surgery.

It’s important to avoid stress in the days leading up to your surgery. Try to get plenty of sleep and relax as much as possible. On the day of the surgery, you’ll need to arrive at the hospital early so that the surgical team can prepare you for surgery.

4. What you can do to ensure the best possible outcome

One month before the procedure

• Speak to your doctor: We always advise that prospective patients speak with their doctor to assess whether they’re suitable for a hair transplant procedure. While it’s a good idea to check this as early as possible, one month before the transplant is a good time for one last check-up to make sure there will be no complications.

Two weeks before the hair transplant

• Check up with your doctor: Two weeks before your procedure, it’s a good idea to catch up with your doctor so they can advise you on whether you should stop taking any specific medication. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory medication, for example, can cause unnecessary bleeding or make it more difficult for your wounds to heal after your surgery.

You should also let your doctor know if you’re taking beta-blockers, blood-thinning pills or antidepressants as they can also impact the healing process. Alternatively, you may be asked to start taking Vitamin C tablets to help quicken your healing.

• Stop drinking alcohol: The two-week mark before your transplant is when you should also avoid drinking alcohol. This is because alcohol widens the blood vessels, therefore increasing swelling at the incision site. Some doctors may tell you that you can wait up to three days before your procedure to quit drinking, but the sooner you can ditch the alcohol the better for your body.
• Stop cutting your hair: our should also refrain from cutting your hair at this stage. This is particularly important if your donor areas are already short in length. Your surgeon will trim your hair during the procedure to ensure they’re the optimal length for transplanting, which means that accidentally cutting your hair too short can make this process difficult. 

One week before the procedure

• At this time, you should quit smoking if you do smoke. Smoking makes it more difficult for the body to heal after an incision, as anything with nicotine can make it more difficult for the oxygen to move through your blood. This can also increase your chances of leaving scars on your incision site. Nicotine is also associated with the risk of infection.

As well as giving up smoking, you may also be given antibiotics to help control any kind of possible infection in your body. Your doctor will instruct you on what to take and how to take them.

Another way to help the healing process of your transplant at this time is to stop taking Vitamin B and E tablets if you already do — these can increase the bleeding from your wound site and make it difficult to heal.

On the day of your surgery

Just before your hair transplant surgery, you should wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner as normal. You should not use any additional hair products like gel or wax, as you’ll need to keep your hair relatively natural.

Your doctor will likely give you instructions on when you can have your last drink or food before the surgery. With you undergoing anesthesia, doctors most often request you do so on an empty stomach. While doctors most commonly request you cease eating around midnight the night before your procedure, your doctor will give you his or her instructions.

You should arrive at your surgery wearing loose-fitting clothes — ideally a shirt that you don’t need to pull over your head — to ensure you don’t accidentally damage any of your incision spots while changing clothes after your procedure.

Be prepared to be groggy when you’re finished.

5. Recovering after your hair transplant

Self-care after hair transplant surgery

Be guided by your surgeon. General self-care suggestions include:

• Follow all instructions on looking after your wounds.
• Avoid exercise or any strenuous activity that could increase blood pressure, as this can make your wounds bleed. Your surgeon may advise you to avoid sex for about 10 days. 
• Report any bleeding, severe pain or unusual symptoms to your surgeon.

Long-term outlook after hair transplant surgery

Most hair transplants are successful, although it can take up to nine months before the hair takes root and begins to fill in. It is not uncommon for the transplanted hair to fall out after several months and then regrow. 

Once the hair starts to regrow, it should look natural because the hair is transplanted in the direction in which the hair would normally grow in that location. 

Most scars should be covered with hair and will be hard to see. Any visible scarring will be permanent but should fade with time. Be patient – improvements to scars may take a year or so. 

6. Final thoughts

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about preparing for your hair transplant. From what to expect on the day of surgery to how to care for your new hair, our experts will guide you through the entire process. If you are considering a hair transplant, call us today for a free consultation. Learn More Here.