So you’ve decided to look into Hair Transplantation. There are many options, from Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) and Follicular Unit transfer (FUT) to Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Scalp Micro-Pigmentation (SMP), and they all have specific things you need to prepare for before receiving treatment.
But what are you going to be expected to do before the procedure? What is your pre-op routine going to look like? Fortunately, Hair Transplantation techniques are mostly mildly invasive and lead to little or no downtime on your part! That includes pre-op care!
It is important to remember that your doctor will work with you and your specific Hair Loss needs and your personal medical history to create a custom plan, but there are some things you can expect no matter what other procedures your doctor and you come up with.
Without further ado, here are some common things you need to do to prepare for your Hair Transplantation procedure:
- Avoid smoking for at least 1 day (24 hours) prior to the procedure, and for longer if possible.
- Smoking is bad for you, but you don’t necessarily want to hear that old argument, right? Well, in this case, it’s especially important. Hair needs good blood-flow to the follicles to encourage growth and maintain healthy hair.
- Smoking has long been proven to decrease blood circulation, which means it can interfere with your healing process and, because blood circulation is essential to healing, it can increase the chance of the affected areas becoming infected or scarring.
- Don’t use styling products for a couple of days before your treatment!
- In some cases, the doctor will need to shave down the area to better access the follicles, and in others the products can make it difficult to get a clean view of the areas affected. You want to make the procedure as easy as possible for the doctor, but you also want the best results, so keep your scalp and hair natural for a few days!
- Hair products can leave a film or layer on top of the scalp or hair follicles, which can cause difficulty for the doctor while searching for follicles and for extraction. Plus, having more external elements that can find their way into any extraction points increases the risk of infection, so it’s better to avoid them altogether for a few days.
- Stay away from Alcohol, Aspirin, and certain vitamins if possible (usually B and E) for a week before your procedure.
- Alcohol can cause you to bleed more during and after the procedure as it prevents blood platelets from sticking together to form clots. Try to save up your drinking game for once you’ve recovered so you can go on a night out with your new look and enjoy yourself instead!
- Similarly, Aspirin and some vitamins interfere with the body’s ability to have blood form clots, which means you might have increased bleeding during and after the procedure as well. If you are taking medications or vitamins like this under a doctor’s supervision, make sure to mention this to your Hair Transplant specialist during your visits!
Those are some of the more serious things you need to make sure to consider before your treatment, and it is important to make sure you check with both your primary care doctor and your Hair Transplant specialist before your procedure to make sure you are prepared for the process.
The best Hair Transplantation surgeons, like Dr. Joseph Williams, make sure to do a thorough medical history evaluation with you in order to make sure the process is as comfortable and effective as possible, so make sure to ask a lot of questions during your consultation to alleviate your worries right from the get-go!
Besides the above-mentioned medical-related preparations, there are several other pieces of advice that can help you be as comfortable as possible during the procedure.
- A comfortable neck pillow that can keep your head from leaning on other surfaces might be a good investment if you don’t already own one. This will help you avoid discomfort or accidentally bumping or irritating the treated areas after the procedure!
- Plan ahead to have a shirt or top that you can unbutton without pulling it over your head! This seems like it would be easy to remember, but if you wear t-shirts everyday, it can be easy to forget. By planning your wardrobe ahead of time and preparing it for the day of your procedure, you can make sure you are as comfortable as possible.
- Bring a book or something to watch your favorite shows on! Whether you want to catch up on your latest superhero show or crime drama on the internet or follow the exploits of your favorite author’s heroes, having something to keep your mind busy during the procedure will help you pass the time. Some of the procedures can take a couple of hours, so you want to be ready!
At the end of the day, the biggest thing you can do is make sure you plan and pack your kit ahead of time for the day of the procedure, follow all of the doctor’s instructions and advice, and make sure you go into the procedure with confidence. If you have questions, you can always reach out to your doctor. Dr. Williams will be glad to confirm any of your concerns, answer your questions, and help you get ready for your journey to your new you.
Contact Dr. Williams today for your consultation, or to find out more about suggested pre-op care!
