FUE Hair Transplant is a hair restoration procedure that involves the extraction of tiny plugs of hair from the donor area. The extracted hair is then implanted into the balding areas of the scalp in order to provide natural-looking coverage.
The FUE hair transplant procedure is a safe and effective method of harvesting donor hair follicles from the back and sides of the scalp. This method has been used for more than 20 years, with an excellent track record. The FUE procedure is performed under local anesthesia and sedation to minimize pain and discomfort.
If you are having a FUE hair transplant, you will likely have a few stitches in the scalp. These should be removed after one week and replaced with small bandages until the stitches fall out on their own. This usually takes about two weeks for all stitches to heal completely, but you can remove them earlier if they are causing irritation or discomfort.
At the beginning of the recovery process, you may experience some swelling and bruising. These can be minimized by applying ice packs or cold compresses to the area, as well as taking prescribed pain medications.
The process is quick and relatively painless, but it will take some time for your body to fully recover.
Here are some tips to help you stay healthy during FUE Hair Transplant recovery:
Rest as much as possible
Rest as much as possible for at least two weeks after your procedure. You will be experiencing some pain during this time period; even if you are feeling okay, try to get some sleep whenever possible. The best way to speed up your recovery time is by sleeping longer hours than usual — between eight and ten hours per day should do the trick!
Take your medications on time
The medications prescribed by your doctor will help reduce pain, swelling and bruising after the procedure. If you have any questions about what the medication contains or how often to take it, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking anything. You should also follow any instructions regarding dosage frequency and dosage amounts carefully.
Eat Healthy
Your body needs the right nutrients and vitamins to support your overall health and well-being. In particular, you’ll want to focus on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. They’re packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals in your body and boost your immune system. You should also eat lean meats like chicken or fish at least twice a week, as well as whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal or quinoa.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated, which keeps it looking healthy and smooth. It also helps flush toxins from your body so that they don’t build up in your cells, causing them to malfunction or die prematurely. Drink at least eight glasses of water each day to ensure that you’re getting enough hydration for optimal health during FUE hair transplant recovery. If drinking plain water isn’t appealing to you, try adding fresh fruit slices or cucumbers into your glass for flavor variations that won’t add extra calories into your diet plan.
Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions.
The number one tip for hair transplant recovery is to follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter. If he or she tells you not to shampoo your head for two weeks, then don’t do it. Shampooing too early can make your scalp bleed and cause infection.
Plan a Healthy Diet.
Eating a balanced diet is essential for maintaining good health and fighting off disease. It’s no different when you’re recovering from a hair transplant procedure. The best thing to do is plan out what you’re going to eat ahead of time so you don’t end up eating junk on an empty stomach or binge eating late at night because you’re hungry but not sure what else to eat besides fast food or takeout.
Keep Your Hands Off Your Scalp.
One common mistake people make during FUE hair transplant recovery is touching their scalp too soon after surgery. This can cause scabs to loosen and fall off prematurely, which can cause a mess both indoors and outdoors. To avoid this, keep your hands out of your hair as much as possible during the first two weeks after surgery, and clean any dirt or oil from your hands with soap and water before touching your scalp again.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do before and during FUE hair transplant recovery. It can affect the healing process and cause damage to your body in many ways. For example, it causes blood clots and reduces blood flow, which can lead to infection or heavy bleeding. It also increases inflammation, which affects the healing process by delaying tissue repair and reducing oxygen supply to the wound area. If you smoke before undergoing FUE hair transplant surgery, it may take longer for your body to heal completely.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol is known to damage your liver, and this can affect the quality of the hair follicles transplanted. The worst thing you can do is to start drinking again after the transplant. The best way to avoid alcohol after the procedure is to avoid alcohol altogether.
Reduce Caffeine Intake
Many people are surprised when they hear that caffeine is a diuretic. It can cause you to urinate more than usual, which can lead to dehydration. During recovery, it’s important to stay well hydrated so you don’t become dehydrated and lose your hair grafts. Coffee and tea are common sources of caffeine, but there are other ways you might be consuming caffeine without realizing it. For example, some sodas contain high levels of caffeine and many energy drinks contain even more. You might also get some from chocolate or other foods like cookies or ice cream that you eat frequently.
Don’t Sleep On Your Side Or Stomach
You may be tempted to lie down on your side or stomach immediately after your procedure, but this can actually cause damage to the donor area. If you’re having an FUE procedure, it’s best if you sleep on your back for at least the first 24 hours after surgery. Lying on your side will cause pressure on the grafts, which could result in them being crushed. If you have a large number of grafts, it could also result in visible swelling around your head. This is because when you lie down on your side or stomach, gravity pulls blood from the head downwards towards your feet and vice versa when you sit up straight or stand up straight. This causes swelling in certain areas of the scalp due to an excess amount of fluid that needs to be removed from these areas before swelling subsides completely.
Take Your First Shower Gently
Your doctor will likely recommend that you wait until your stitches have been removed before taking your first shower — usually about seven days after surgery — so don’t rush this step! Taking a bath instead is fine too, as long as you’re careful not to soak your stitches or get water on them directly. If you’ve had FUE, it’s especially important not to wash your hair until after all of your grafts have healed up completely — which could take several months depending on how many grafts were taken out and how long they were growing in before being replaced with new ones.
Protect Your Head At Night
While sleeping is important for your overall health, it can be damaging if you sleep in an awkward position. Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your head can cause swelling and bruising around the donor area, which can cause permanent scarring. Use pillows to prop yourself up at different angles so that you don’t have to lay flat on your back all night long.
Take Antibiotics And Pain Medication As Prescribed By Your Doctor
While the surgical incisions made during FUE hair transplants tend to heal quickly, there is still some pain associated with the procedure. In addition, there are several potential side effects that may occur during the first 24 hours following surgery, including nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can be managed by taking antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor and by taking over-the-counter pain medication if necessary. If you experience any difficulty breathing or swallowing after surgery, contact your doctor immediately.
Use cold compresses to keep swelling down.
Cold compresses help reduce swelling and bruising. You can use a cold pack or an ice bag on your head for a few minutes at a time, every hour or two. It will also relieve pain and discomfort. If you do not have access to an ice pack or cold compress, you can also apply an aloe vera gel or cream on the incision sites.
Stay out of the sun.
It is very important to protect your skin from the sun while recovering from FUE hair transplant surgery. The sun can cause your newly transplanted hair follicles to die and therefore, it is highly recommended to wear a hat at all times during recovery. If you are going on an outing, make sure you have a wide brimmed hat that can protect your face and scalp from UV rays.
Try to get some fresh air everyday.
Your body needs oxygen and sunlight to stay healthy. So if possible, go out in the sun daily for at least 15 minutes and breathe in fresh air. This will also help you relax after the surgery so that your body can heal faster.
Avoid Strenuous Activity
You should avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks after your procedure. This includes any exercise that could cause strain on muscles in your head, neck or back. This includes weightlifting, jogging and most sports that involve contact with other players. If you’re planning on participating in an athletic event after your surgery, talk with your doctor first to see if it’s safe for you to do so.
Do not touch the incisions
You must not touch or manipulate the incision site with your fingers or fingernails for at least three weeks after surgery. This includes scratching or rubbing it. Doing so can cause scarring, infections and bleeding. If you do touch the incisions, wash your hands thoroughly afterwards using soap and water.
Listen to your body and take breaks
Don’t push yourself too hard. Take breaks when you need them and listen to your body when it’s telling you that it’s time for bed or time to take a break from all eyesores. You don’t want to overdo it because that can cause additional damage that would prolong your recovery process.
Don’t swim in public pools or hot tubs.
The chlorine in pools and hot tubs can irritate your healing scalp. If you really want to go swimming, try to find a private pool or pay extra at your hotel to use their pool instead of a public one.
Avoid excessive heat and sweating
The transplanted follicles are very fragile during the first one to two months after surgery, so you should avoid exposing them to excessive heat and sweat until they have healed completely. This means that you shouldn’t exercise too hard or go out in the sun without wearing a hat.
Manage Your Stress Levels
One of the most important things to do during your recovery period is manage your stress levels. This means making sure that you get enough sleep, eat well and avoid unnecessary stressors in your life. You should also avoid any type of strenuous activity for at least two weeks following your procedure.
Stay Away From Chemicals, Dyes & Fragrances
During the first few weeks of your FUE hair transplant recovery, avoid products that contain chemicals and fragrances. This includes shampoo, conditioner, hair styling products, soaps, lotions and colognes. If you use these products during this time frame, they can cause irritation on the scalp and lead to infection.
Keep Your Body Moving
You might not have expected this, but keeping your body moving is actually one of the best things you can do for yourself during the healing process. Sitting around all day will only make you more depressed, and will make it harder for your body to recover from surgery. Try to get up and take a walk every hour or so, or at least get up and stretch every so often.
Don’t Rush Things, Even if You Feel Great
While it’s normal to feel good right after surgery, try not to rush things too much when it comes to exercise or physical activity. Of course, if you feel like going on a run or lifting weights — go ahead! But don’t push yourself too hard and make sure you aren’t overexerting yourself too quickly, as this can lead to more complications later on down the road.
