Hair Transplant Post Operative Care

I have a hair transplant scheduled with Dr. Epstein in 1 month.   I have the following questions:

1.   How detrimental to the transplanted hair is it to always wear a hat after the procedure?
2.   When can i resume normal activity AKA Weightlifting and running?
3.    Do you have any suggestions on anything that you think i could miss on being careful after surgery?

Congratulations in advance for choosing an excellent hair transplant doctor for your second HT.

In my opinion, it is best to let your hair/scalp “breathe” by exposing your head to air as much as possible in order to facilitate healing after hair transplantation surgery.   Wearing a light fitting hat however, will not harm the grafts.   When the follicuar unit grafts are firmly in place after 10 days, you can resume wearing a snug hat or anything you want on your head.

Normal activity can resume relatively quickly after hair transplantation as well.

Cardio and VERY light weight lifting  can resume  between 7-10 days after  a hair transplant (time will vary between hair transplant clinics).    It is best to start slow and progressively increase the  intensity as you feel more comfortable.   Be sure not to do anything that will put a  strain on the scar.   Simply put: use your head and be logical.   It you feel a strain in the scar area, stop the activity.

Regarding anything you might “miss” to facilitate caution, just be careful.   Here are a few tips:

• Do not bump your head the first few days after a hair transplant.    
• Do not pick at the scabs on your head with your nails.
• Avoid exposing your scalp to the sun for the first 3 months after surgery
• Avoid extreme sweating for the first 10 days post op
• Walking can minimize swelling the first 7 days post op.

Bill
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

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