Part of the excitement about a hair transplant revolves around new styling possibilities. It’s advisable to achieve full recovery before attempting some of them, such as heat styling methods. After your procedure, Dr. Joseph Williams will provide extensive instructions on caring for your scalp until you heal. Your hairstyling success will depend on these considerations:
- Transplanted grafts
The new hair typically falls out a few weeks after surgery. This situation shouldn’t be a cause for concern as it’s a normal part of the recovery process. The permanent hair will start to grow between three and six months. Your new hair will grow at an average rate of half-inch every month.
While you might be itching to try out new hairstyles, we recommend playing it safe in the weeks after surgery. You can get more creative as you have a fuller head of hair.
- Washing
Dr. Williams doesn’t recommend shampooing your hair immediately after surgery. That’s because it can irritate the grafts and interfere with the overall recovery process. A few days after surgery, you can start washing your hair gently using medicated shampoo.
Once you receive the go-ahead to start using other washing products, it’s advisable to pick mild formulations. Some experts recommend baby shampoo because it doesn’t have harsh ingredients. If you used anti-dandruff and other special shampoos before surgery, Dr. Williams will advise on resumption.
- Heat treatments
In the first few days following surgery, your scalp may feel numb around the transplant area. We advise opting for air-drying any time your hair gets wet. That’s because heat styling can complicate the healing process by damaging your fragile grafts.
Since you’re numb, you risk burning your new hair because you won’t feel the heat rising. Once you feel comfortable with heat drying, start with a low setting until you achieve full recovery.
- Hair dye and associated chemicals
We recommend avoiding all types of hair chemicals for at least three weeks after surgery. At this stage, the transplanted follicles are more sensitive than your natural hair. Therefore, they might react unexpectedly to dyes and other chemicals. The best option is to wait until Dr. Williams gives you the all-clear before experimenting with such hair products.
- Haircuts
A trim before surgery is advisable for two reasons. First, it makes the transplant process easier. Secondly, you’ll have to wait at least three to four weeks to get another haircut. Fortunately, most professional barbers and hairstylists are familiar with hair restoration procedures.
In addition, once your scalp heals completely, it will be just like any other. Your stylist can also use their expertise to make practical suggestions based on your preference, head shape, and other factors. They can also give recommendations on how to make your hair appear thicker before your new follicles grow.
- General styling
It will take some time to get used to your new hair. Initially, your styling options will focus on short hair and adapt as you recover. For instance, once you’re able to comb it, you might prefer doing so in a way that covers the transplanted area until the new hair grows.
You might also consider using mousse, gels, and hair sprays to hold a style in place. These products are safe to use about a month after surgery, although it’s advisable to seek Dr. Williams’ opinion before starting. Mousse is particularly effective for increasing hair volume until your transplanted follicles start growing naturally.
Get Your Hair Back
The Advanced Medical Hair Institute is your premier provider of all hair treatment solutions. Our dedicated staff, led by the charismatic Dr. Joseph Williams, is always on standby to address your concerns. We listen patiently and conduct thorough tests to formulate an effective treatment plan. In addition to skill and experience, we also invest in the highest quality equipment to ensure precision and natural-looking results. Please schedule a consultation today for more information.
