Hair Restoration Growth Process
Months 0 – 4: The Dormant Period
The months that immediately follow your transplant can be some of the most discouraging. You just got a costly and painful procedure done, only for that hair to then fall out! Fortunately, this is a temporary phase and one that’s necessary for healthy hair growth. With the newly-transplanted bulbs in place, your scalp will temporarily experience shock. In most cases, this results in swelling, redness, and tenderness at the site of implant. At this stage, though, the transplanted hairs will remain in place. As the shock wears off, however, you’ll experience shedding throughout the recipient area. When this happens will depend on the healing process. Though, it’s generally around weeks 2 and 3 that this begins. Once the hair has been shed, the follicles enter a complete stage of rest. This is known as telogen in the regular hair growth cycle, and it’s an entirely normal part of the process. This stage lasts anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, at which point new hairs will emerge and the cycle can begin again.Months 4 – 8: The Emergent Period
The moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived – hair is growing in the recipient area! At this point in the process, your transplanted follicles have moved from telogen phase into anagen. This phase of the hair growthccycle when active growth takes place. In the beginning, these hairs will be especially thin. If you’ve received a transplant to the crown of your head, expect growth to take longer (as the skin is thicker). In regards to the donor site, it should be fully healed by now. This means the hair growth cycle has returned to normal and no evidence of the transplant (unless you have scarring) is visible.Months 8 – 12: The Maturation Period
The final stage in the first year process following a transplant is known as the maturation period. This is the time when the thin hairs become thicker, and the majority of hair growth (about 75% to 80%) should be seen. During this period, you may notice that newly-sprouted hairs are curved. This is due to the scarring, but it will disappear over time as your follicle heals more fully. At this stage, your hair should be about 3 inches in length and able to be styled.Months 12 & Beyond
Just as above, the results you see the second year following transplant will vary. By 24 months, the full results should be visible and this is the point when it’s time to consider if another transplant session is necessary. As your transplanted hair should now be fully into the natural hair growth cycle, you should expect a period of overall growth for up to 3 years. This is the typical length of the anagen phase, after which the hair will go through the other two stages (catagen and telogen)Post Procedure Follow-Up
- 1-2 days after your procedure for a follow-up
- 3 months post procedure for photos and microanalysis
- 6 months post procedure for Scalp growth factors, photos and microanalysis
- 9 months post procedure for photos and microanalysis
- 12 months post procedure for Scalp growth factors, photos and microanalysis
Medication
- Antibiotic: This is taken to prevent a scalp infection. Take one tablet every 12 hours starting 6pm the night before the procedure. Complete the full antibiotic course as directed.
- Prednisone 20mg: This is to help prevent swelling. Take two tablets by mouth per day for three days starting the day after the procedure. (Please contact our office should you experience any severe swelling)
- Shower Cap (provided): Please wear the shower cap for 1 day after the procedure. Take it off for 20 minutes every 4 hours. Keep it off at night. This is to be used for only the first 2 days after surgery.
- Surgical Tape: Please keep the surgical tape that we placed on your upper forehead for 5 days to minimise swelling.
- Pain medication: Should you experience any discomfort, you may take the pain medication that has been provided for you as directed. (Do not take pain medication if you will be working, driving, or operating any machinery due to possible drowsiness).
- Ketoconazole: Please begin using this shampoo 30 days after your surgery. Apply to the scalp during your shower, leave on for 5 minutes and rinse out twice a week.
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Minoxidil 2.5mg tablet: This is to be taken on day 3 for 20 days after the procedure.
Men - Take half a tablet daily starting on day 2 after the procedure for 2 days. Increase to one tablet daily for the next 17 days. #19
Women - Take half a tablet by mouth starting on day 2 after the procedure for 20 days #10
Please monitor your blood pressure while on this medication and report an indication of blood pressure lower than 110/70. - Dr. Max Hair Boost: This is to be started after you finish the oral Minoxidil. Apply a quarter of the dropper topically to the scalp. Do not wash out for at least 8 hours. Most patients prefer to apply first thing in the morning after a shower on dry hair or on right before going to sleep for the night. The bottle is available for purchase in our office and should last 3 months.
- ASPIRIN: DO NOT take any medication that contains for TWO days following your procedure. This will minimize bleeding
- Alcohol: no consumption for 5 days
- Caffeine: You may resume drinking caffeine one day after your procedure.
After Surgery Instructions
A thin coat of Bacitracin ointment should be applied to the DONOR AREA ONLY twice a day after showering for 7 days after procedure. Bacitracin should NOT be applied to the grafted area.
Do NOT try to forcibly remove scabs or crusts till week 3 after the procedure. Doing so may damage the grafts.
Bleeding
Slight bleeding or oozing may occur from the donor area. We recommend placing an old towel on your pillow while sleeping for the first several nights in case of oozing so that your pillow will not be stained. If bleeding occurs, apply firm pressure with a clean cloth to the area for 10-15 minutes. If bleeding persists after 15 minutes of pressure, contact our office at 954-945-2909.
Swelling
This is a surgical procedure and swelling does occur. It is part of the healing process. The degree of swelling varies with each patient from mild to pronounced. To minimize the swelling, please do the following:
- Sleeping with your head elevated at a 45-degree angle for 3 nights following surgery. This can be done by sleeping in a recliner or by using a neck pillow.
- Apply crushed ice packs, wrapped in a clean cloth as frequently as possible to your forehead and temples ONLY (20 minutes every two hours while awake). NEVER apply ice directly to the grafted area.
- If significant swelling persists after three days, discontinue ice and change to warm compresses to forehead and temples, and repeat massage as described above.
Exercise
Light exercising is permitted three days after the procedure. Strenuous exercising
should be avoided for ten days. When picking up items from the floor, bend at your
knees while keeping your back straight to avoid having your head go below the level of
your heart. Swimming in the ocean is allowed one week after the procedure. Swimming in the pool is allowed two weeks after.
Washing Your Hair
DAYS 3-6:
You may shower the day following the procedure but DO NOT touch or allow the shower stream to hit the grafts directly for five days. An appointment can be made in our clinic on day 5 if you’d like help washing your hair in the office. To wash the grafted area on Day 5, pour a small amount of baby shampoo or the Iamin Shampoo provided into a clean cup then fill the cup with water creating a soapy solution. Gently pour the solution over the grafted area by tilting your head backwards. Then fill the cup with plain water and gently pour over the grafted area until all the soap is washed out. You can wash any ungrafted area and donor area in a normal fashion by using a small amount of the shampoo and lightly rubbing the donor area enough to wash off previous application of Bacitracin. Use the cup wash method to rinse the shampoo out. After showering, apply Bacitracin to the donor area only once per day. Apply only a thin coat. DO NOT TRY TO FORCIBLY REMOVE SCABS OR CRUSTS TILL WEEK 3 AFTER THE PROCEDURE! DOING SO MAY DAMAGE THE GRAFTS!DAY 7:
Starting on the 7th day you may wash your hair in a normal fashion. Wash your hair as normal by gently massaging all areas and rinsing underneath the showerhead. On the 7th day, conditioner may be applied to the transplanted area for 15 minutes before shampooing. This will cause the crusts to soften and then fall off. Bacitracin is to be applied to the donor area once daily by applying only a thin coat. Discontinue Bacitracin use after day 7.Nutrient Spray Hair And Scalp
Spray grafted area with Nutrient Spray Hair and Scalp (we provide) once every three hours throughout the day while awake. You can use this immediately after the procedure. Apply 2-3 sprays (sparingly) to cover the entire grafted area. It is a concentrated micronutrient spray that is specifically formulated to provide continuing moisture and comfort to the scalp. This will help with healing of the grafts and help relieve any itching or discomfort. This is to be used for 3-4 days. There is no need to continue using it once the bottle runs out.
CRUSTS: Crusts or scabs will naturally begin to fall off within the first week following your procedure. DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK at these crusts because you may
accidentally remove a graft or cause an infection.
If all the crust has not fallen off after 3 weeks, call our office (954) 945-2909.
Styling & Products
Style your hair as desired after shampooing, and remember:
- Using a blow dryer is not harmful to hair, but should be on a cool setting.
- Comb hair with light to moderate strokes (without touching scalp).
- Only use styling products that do NOT contain alcohol.
- Coloring the hair, wait 5-6 weeks after the surgery.
- Itchiness is normal and to be expected.
Healing
Hats and hairpieces should only be worn if absolutely necessary. Hats, if worn, should not be so tight or constricting that they rub on the transplanted grafts. If you will be in the sunlight for more than 10 minutes, you should protect the grafts by wearing a non-constricting hat for three months. Seven days after surgery, you may use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Avoid tanning for 3 months after the procedure.
NUMBNESS: Fine nerve endings may be affected during each procedure. This will result in decreased sensitivity or numbness to both the donor and recipient areas. This usually subsides over a period of 3-6 months, but can persist for a longer period of time.
Vitamins
You may start taking Vitamin C the day after your surgery. Avoid Vitamin E or multivitamins for 1 week.