FUE Hair Transplant

After my hair transplant, I want to be careful not to lose any of my grafts.  How do I accomplish this?

CARE OF GRAFTED AREA

  1. I should wear a clean hat (must be machine washed to be considered “clean”) anytime I venture outside during the day for the first 2 weeks after my transplant. Care should be taken so that the hat is not touching any of the grafts. I should spray the “Copper Peptide Spray” on my grafts every few hours, 5-10 Sprays, for the first 4-5 days after my procedure BEGINNING ON POST-OP DAY 1. I should apply a thin layer of Aquaphor to the donor region on the back and sides of my head daily with my fingertips for 7 days, BEGINNING ON POST-OP DAY 1.

SHAMPOOING

  1. On the 2nd Post-op day after my procedure, in the evening, I may begin gentle rinsing of the grafts. Gently means I do not allow the force of the shower to strike the grafts and I do not touch the grafts with my fingertips or fingernails. I may mix shampoo and warm water in a small cup or basin and gently pour it over my scalp gently and then rinse it out by pouring water over the scalp. I can do this a number of times until my scalp is clean and I may do this twice a day. I will then let my hair air dry. I will not touch my grafts for 8 days.
  2. On the 8th Post-op day I may shampoo normally. I may normally massage the surface of the grafts with my fingertips and remove any remaining crusts present. A good tip to get rid of the remaining crusts is to use any type of hair conditioner and let sit in the scalp for 5 minutes and then gently massage the scalp, then rinse off.

HAIR GROOMING

  1. Combing my hair- I may gently comb my hair (except in the grafted zone) beginning on the 3rd Post-op Day. I should not touch the grafts with the comb.  I may normally comb all of my hair, including any hair that may be present in the grafted zone, beginning the 8th Post-op day.
  2. Hairspray/Hairdressings- I may use hairsprays, conditioners, shampoos, and other hairdressings after 14 days. Since the grafts will be well healed, I will not harm them if sprays or other hair products come in contact with the grafts.

MEDICATIONS

Pain: If you have no liver or kidney abnormalities, you can take two Tylenol for any mild discomfort. If you have mild-moderate discomfort, you can take two Tylenol + one tablet of 600MG Ibuprofen.

  1. Itching – I may take Benadryl or Claritin to help with itching. I will not scratch my scalp no matter how much I want to.

SWELLING

  1. Swelling is uncommon, but I may have some swelling around the area of my forehead and maybe around my eyes. Swelling, if it occurs, peaks between the third and fifth day, and will be gone by the seventh day.  Rarely does blood travel down into the eyelids, producing a black eye, but this can happen.
  2. Following leaving our office, remember to sleep on your back 2 pillows under your neck and shoulders or with travel pillow at incline for 2 days and put a clean, old towel over the pillows.

OTHER PROBLEMS

  1. If my grafted area or the donor area bleeds, I can usually control the problem by applying gentle pressure to the area. If the bleeding does not stop with firm pressure applied for 15 minutes I will call Dr. Dauer or my personal physician. I can wrap a cold pack in a paper towel and apply pressure TO THE DONOR AREA ONLY! NEVER put a cold pack on the grafted area.
  2. Numbness may occur for a short period of time after transplantation. It will resolve on its own, in most cases, within 3-12 months.
  3. I may experience some dandruff-like scaling, redness, or itch during the first month after transplantation. I can use over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or lotion to the area 2-3 times each day to clear this up.  I may not begin using these creams/lotions until after two weeks have passed from my procedure. Small crusts may form at the micrograft sites.  These will come off with shampooing at 7 days or later.  The small spicules of hair that come off with the crust are normal and do not represent loss of grafts.  The hair will still begin growing as expected 3 months after the transplant.  Some “ingrown hair type of pimples may occur during the re-growth phase, 45-90 days after the procedure.  I can use over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide preparation to the area 2 times each day for 3-5 days to help clear these up quickly.
  4. I will contact Dr. Dauer or my personal physician if any of these uncommon complication occur:
    • Vascular growths at surgical areas
    • Tender scar formation
    • Any sign of infection
    • Any other problems I believe out of the ordinary

Many of these problems will be resolved on their own.  Some will need the attention of Dr. Dauer or my personal physician.

A NOTE FROM DR. Dauer

Over many years of hair transplantation experience, we have found the procedure to be very safe and complicated by few difficulties. The vast majority of patients who have undergone the procedure have done so without problems. They have enjoyed the rewards of lifelong improvement in their appearance. Recent advances, especially with naturally occurring follicular unit micrografting, have dramatically improved the patient’s appearance creating a much more natural result. Proper aftercare is important in assuring the best results, so be sure to follow the instructions given.  Always remember, we have your very best interest at heart. We want you to be pleased with your results. Be assured we will do everything reasonably within our power to perform the procedure in a proper and professional fashion. Also, we will follow up on any problems you may develop in the routine course of healing after your transplant. We expect you to inform us if any problems arise so that we can handle them in the proper manner. You are very special to us; you health and happiness are our purpose in life.