Hair transplant Care Instructions
Days 1 & 2
On Day 1, spray your hair grafts with clean, warm water every two hours, except while sleeping. On Day 2, when you visit the clinic, we will wash your hair.
Day 3 & Onward
Starting on Day 3, you should soak and shampoo your hair twice daily using the following method:Prepare a warm bath—you can add Epsom salts if desired.
- Lie back until the water covers the donor area (where your stitches are) and soak for about 10 minutes, gently massaging with your fingertips.
- Shampoo your entire head using a mild, non-perfumed shampoo.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean tap water.
- Dry your hair by air drying or using a cold setting on a blow dryer.
- Style gently using only your fingertips—avoid brushes and combs to prevent disturbing the grafts.
- Optional: Consider wearing earplugs in the bath to reduce the risk of ear infections.
Sleeping
For the first few nights, most people find it most comfortable to sleep on their back with a slight incline, but you can sleep in any position as long as it doesn’t cause pain.
Make sure there is no pressure on your grafts while you sleep. To protect your pillow from any minor bleeding or drainage, wrap it in a plastic bag and place a towel over it.
Eating
You can eat whatever you like after surgery, but it’s best to start with clear liquids and gradually reintroduce solid foods as you feel comfortable.
Pain Management & Medications
Do not drive for at least 48 hours after surgery. Take your pain medication as directed:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- For the first 24-48 hours, take acetaminophen regularly, even if you don’t feel pain—but don’t wake up just to take it.
- Take 2 regular-strength acetaminophen (325 mg each, for a total of 650 mg) every 4 hours.
- Do not exceed 4000 mg in 24 hours from all sources.
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Take 2 regular-strength ibuprofen (200 mg each, for a total of 400 mg) every 4-6 hours.
- If needed for better pain control, you can take up to 600 mg at a time, as long as your stomach tolerates it.
- Tramadol (if needed)
- If additional pain relief is required, take 1 Tramadol (50 mg) every 4-6 hours.
- Managing Constipation
- Drink plenty of water.
- Try prune juice or a fibre supplement like Metamucil.
- If needed, a gentle laxative like Senokot-S or a similar product can help.
Follow-Up Appointments
Your follow-up schedule should have already been provided. If you haven’t received it, please let us know.
Your follow-up visits are scheduled for:
- One day after surgery
- Two days after surgery
- One week after surgery
Please bring your caregiver or helper to these appointments so we can also answer any questions they may have.
Activity Restrictions
Light walking is encouraged starting the day after surgery if you feel well. However, you should avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for the first month. If you had lower face surgery wear your compression chin wrap as much as possible for about a month.
When to Call Us
Watch for signs of infection, such as increasing redness, pain, or swelling that doesn’t improve with rest, fever, or milky white drainage from your incision. Pain is usually near the incision and often one-sided, but not always.
Signs of a hematoma include swelling that grows larger every hour, feels tense or hard, and may be very painful. In some cases, there may be increased bruising—however, bruising should not worsen significantly after the first couple of days.
If you experience any concerns after surgery, please call the office during the day. You can call between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM on weekdays. You can also find our contact information in your post-surgical instructions.