The below representation of the period following FUE HT surgery should serve as a general guidance only. A considerable variation can be observed. Some hair loss patients may experience few of the issues for a very short while others may experience all of them for a longer period. Few may have a rather visible cosmetic change after only 4-5 months, most will have visible results by 8-12 months, while the remaining may see growth after a long wait of 10-12 months.
FIRST FEW DAYS
Some patients may develop swelling of the forehead and face and in some cases it can be severe. It’s not a sign of an infection and it will usually wear off in 3-5 days and is not painful. Severe swelling is very rare, though. Most patients will have no pain while some may need paracetamol for pain. Only rarely will the pain be more pronounced.
FIRST 2 WEEKS
Few may experience pain from the donor-area. Paracetamol is usually sufficient to treat the pain.
FIRST 12 WEEKS
Itching, pimples, pop-ups and dry skin are relatively common. Anti-histamins (used for allergic rash), baby oil or aloe vera may be helpful. In larger surgeries numbness may occur specially in the recipient-area. The transplanted hair may shed but the growth centre is left intact in the skin.
3-4 MONTHS
Growth starts. Usually the itching, pimples, pop-ups and dry skin is gone. Numbness in recipient-area may persist.
6-8 MONTHS
Cosmetic change starts appearing. Numbness is gone in nearly all patients.
1-1.5 YEARS AND EVEN UP TO 2 YEARS
Final results.
RETURNING TO WORK AND SOCIAL LIFE
If the recipient-area is not bald but only thinning most patients will be able to take up normal social activities after 10-14 days without drawing any attention. If the recipient-area is bald or nearly bald 3-5 weeks may be required before the recipient-area becomes un-noticeable. However, in some cases a light pinkish colour (see below) and irritation may persist even beyond 8 weeks. In far most of the cases of FUE HT with punches less than 1 mm, the donor-area will hardly be visible after two weeks.
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| Pinkish colour in the recipient-area |
CARING FOR YOUR PRECIOUS HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
It is essential that patients comply with the following instructions to ensure a successful result of the HT and a fast return to daily routines:
• The patient is encouraged to take a low-pressure shower 2-5 times following the last day of the procedure. This helps the scabs go away and speeds up the process of making the operation un-noticeable.
• The patient should sleep with the head slightly elevated using two pillows for the first two nights. In case of grafts implanted into the lower crown or a strip-scar the patient should sleep on the sides for the first two nights.
• No aspirin, alcohol smoking or exertion for first 72 hour following FUE.
• Mild training (jogging, bicycling and mild weight lifting) may be resumed after one week. I
• After 10 days you can increase weights to 60% of your normal maximum weights. No “violent” activity (hockey, soccer) or contact sports for first two weeks.
• After two weeks you can resume any physical activity and shower/shampoo your head completely as normal. If scabs are still present you can gently remove them with your fingertips (not nails) during or after showers. Only precaution that remains in place for the first 8 weeks is protection against direct sunlight.