Post-Operative Instructions

Home care information for patients following hair transplant surgery

Dr. Maurice P. Collins
F.R.C.S.I., D.L.O., F.R.C.S.Ed, F.R.C.S.

Hair transplant surgery is a delicate procedure. Your adherence to these post-operative instructions is essential for optimal results. It is our aim that you are pleased with the care you receive, and we encourage you to contact us with any problems or questions. If you have any problems following the surgery please call Dr Collins’ office number below. If the office is unattended and you have an urgent problem, please contact the mobile number below. 

Office hours contact (8a.m. - 5p.m.):

Telephone: +353 (0)1 209 1000
Email: info@hrbr.ie

Post- Operative Care

1. Misting (Spraying)

   At the end of your surgery, you will be given a bottle of salt water (NaCl) and a spray bottle to use at home. Fill the spray bottle with the salt water and spray the grafted area generously. Leave the mist on the grafts to keep them constantly slightly damp. You should spray the area every 15 minutes for 24 hours after your surgery including when awake during the night-time. When the first 24 hours is over, you should continue spraying every 30 minutes during waking hours for at least a further two days after your surgery. When the bottle of salt water is finished, use ordinary tap water to refill the spray bottle. This misting facilitates wound healing and prevents scab formation. It will significantly improve your post-operative appearance as well as providing the essential moisture your newly transplanted hairs need to survive. You may spray the grafts to soothe the area if you experience any itching. It is imperative that you do not scratch or rub the transplanted grafts as this will damage them.

2. Washing and styling

   Your newly transplanted grafts are delicately placed in the recipient area. In the immediate post-operative period, they may be damaged or even dislodged by rough handling. For this reason, we advise extreme care in the immediate post-operative period and to gradually return to normal activities. Do not wash or shampoo your hair for two days after your transplant. You should simply keep the hair moist with the mist spray as outlined above. You may shampoo in a limited fashion starting two days after your transplant, but avoid using a shower as the stream of water is too powerful for newly planted grafts. Instead, take a plastic cup or bowl into the shower and use it to gently trickle water over your head several times. Put a small quantity of shampoo into the bottom of your plastic container. Add a small amount of water to make a bubbly solution. Pour this over your scalp and shampoo by gently patting, not scrubbing, your hair. You may shampoo daily in this limited fashion.
   Avoid heavily medicated shampoos (tea tree oil shampoo is acceptable but anti-dandruff shampoos are not advisable). You should also avoid shampoos with added conditioners. Do not use any conditioners or styling products (e.g. gels or mousses). Allow your hair to air dry. Do not pat or rub with a towel and do not blow-dry your hair. After 14 days you may resume normal shampooing, conditioning, drying and styling.

3. Washing clean

   On the day of your surgery, you should not touch the donor area.

   Starting the next day, the donor area should be gently washed every day. This may be achieved by lying in a bath and soaking the suture line for 10 to 15 minutes in the water. You may add some mild shampoo to the bathwater.

   The suture line may be tender for the first few washes. Keeping the area clean reduces irritation and itching and promotes optimal healing.

4. Removal of stitches

   The sutures (stitches) used in the donor area do not dissolve. They must be removed either at our clinic or by a GP / nurse. Please advise us if you cannot attend for removal of the sutures and are having them removed elsewhere. An appointment will be made for you to have your sutures removed. This normally takes place between 7 and 10 days after your surgery.

5. Medications

   If you use Rogaine, you will have been advised to stop the medication a week prior to surgery. You may resume the medication as prescribed 2 weeks after surgery.

6. Clothing

   Choose button-down shirts or clothing with zips to prevent clothing from brushing against your scalp. You should refrain from wearing any form of hats or headgear for 14 days unless you are in direct sunlight which could cause sunburn. If you cannot otherwise avoid strong sunshine, you may use a light, loose fitting hat taking care not to damage the grafts.

7. Physical activity

   It is very important to avoid any physical activity for the first day and to limit activity for 1 week. In particular, any forms of leaning over or lifting should be avoided for 3 days after surgery. Bend your knees instead of your waist when picking up objects and tying your shoes. Take special care getting in and out of cars to avoid accidental bumps to your head.

   Light activities such as walking may be resumed on the third day after your surgery. You may resume mild exercise (e.g. light jogging) after 14 days. You should avoid strenuous activities such as sit-ups, bench-presses and weight lifting for at least a month as these could result in serious strain on the suture line in the donor area.

8. Sun exposure / Holidays

   Sunburn could seriously damage your newly transplanted grafts. It is important to avoid direct sun exposure on the grafted area. If you are going on holiday please remember to advise our office before you travel and to make an appropriate appointment for the removal of your sutures. Please note also that golf and swimming should be avoided for 2 weeks after surgery.

9. Complications

   Problems following hair transplants are very rare but, like any form of surgery, occasional difficulties may arise.

10. Swelling

    Some mild swelling may occur and this is normal. Very rarely, there can be swelling of the forehead for a couple of days after the transplant. Rarely there can be enough swelling to cause swelling of the forehead 2 to 4 days after the transplant which may in another day or two cause swelling and bruising on the lower eyelids. In the unlikely event you suffer from excessive swelling, please contact the clinic.

11. Bleeding

    Very rarely, slight bleeding may occur at the sutured donor area. If this happens, keep your head elevated and place some gauze on the area and apply constant pressure with the palm of your hand for up to 10 minutes.

    If a graft is dislodged, the incision site might bleed. Should this occur, apply pressure to the area with a tissue. If these efforts do not stop the bleeding please contact the clinic.

12. Pain / Numbness

    Some mild discomfort may occur and, if necessary, this can be controlled by the pain medication you are given at the end of your surgery. Rarely, some numbness at the suture line or graft sites may occur. This is normal and will usually gradually resolve itself over a matter of weeks to months.

13. Infection

    This is highly unusual. If any significant redness, tenderness or local pain is noticed please contact the clinic.

    IMPORTANT NOTES

14. Growth

    The hairs contained in the transplanted grafts will fall out 3 to 4 weeks after your surgery. However, the follicle which grows the hairs remains anchored beneath the scalp and will soon begin to grow a new hair. Please remember that it takes 3 to 4 months after the transplant before the hair starts to grow. BE PATIENT!

15. Shedding

    Very rarely, there is mild shedding of existing hair 2 to 4 weeks after the transplant. Do not be alarmed, this shedding is temporary and any hair that is shed will re-grow along with the new hair.

16. Lost grafts

    The odd graft may be dislodged accidentally and fall out. This is not a matter for concern and will not significantly affect the overall result of your hair transplant.

Post-Operative Patient Care Instructions - revised 9/12/08