If you have newly transplanted hair follicles after having experienced hair loss you need to read this. Because in the next days your scalp will be very sensitive.
Here are some important tips on how to take care of it. Your skin will be reddened and scabbed on the hair transplant area. Below, we give you some recommendations and care for it.
If I have a recent hair transplant, how should I sleep?
First, you need to know that nothing can touch the hair transplant area, don’t forget that. Now that you have this in mind, consider a few factors that can help you take care of your surgical area and avoid damaging your hair follicles while sleeping. But, why is your sleeping position important? Because it’s one of the main reasons why hair falls out after surgery.
Take care of your scalp!
Use a headband
One common thing after hair transplant surgery is experiencing swelling. It’s perfectly normal, and it’s nothing to be alarmed about. It will last for a few days. You can use a headband to prevent more swelling, or you can apply ice to the head, but never in the surgical area.
The pad should change every night because it catches the remnants of the anesthetic leaking. You can use disposable pads or cover your pad with a soft towel.
Keep your head elevated
After a fue hair transplant, you have to adopt a sleeping position on your back, facing up. Sleep with a neck pillow, this helps your head keep the right position.
Above all things, avoid tossing and turning on your bed and sleeping on your stomach. You may think that this position doesn’t touch the bed, but it may not be true since you could change your position while you sleep. We know that sleep after a hair transplant can cause a little discomfort. If it’s necessary, you can take a painkiller for the discomfort when sleeping. Ask your doctor about medication options
Don’t turn your head sideways, and don’t rub your head against anything. The purpose of this is to avoid contact between the transplant area and the pillow.
…Or sleep in a recliner
If you think that you can’t sleep in that position, you could consider sleeping on a recliner. It keeps you away from tossing and turning. You can lay on your back, and avoid turning on your side or stomach.
If you don’t have a recliner, a perfect option is to sleep on your sofa in that position. You can add a pillow on your back for more comfort. The point is having your head elevated.
After a few days… sleep in your normal position
After one week of the surgical procedure, the healing is beginning to take place. You should continue using the neck pillow and avoid rapid movements to prevent damage to the hair transplant.
In approximately ten days, you can sleep in a prone position.
When the scabs begin to fall, you can use your favorite pillow and sleep carefully. After fifteen days, the scabs will have disappeared, but you still can take care of your hair transplant.
Maintain a healthy pattern
The healing process is important. To recover quickly, you have to sleep very well. Get a lot of rest after surgery, and eat healthy. Have a balanced diet full of nutrients and antioxidants. Keep your body well hydrated through drinking a lot of water and avoiding alcohol and smoking.
Avoid intense exercise or activities that can raise the heart rate, or in other words, avoid swelling because it will cause the scalp to itch, and it’s not good for hair grafts.
For the first two weeks, avoid exposing the scalp to sunlight, and remember, don’t touch the area of the hair transplant, this helps you to recover.
Your ally: cleanliness
After a hair transplant procedure, you have to be extra careful with cleaning your bed to avoid infections. Wash the pillowcases and sheets with a detergent that doesn’t contain allergens (they can irritate the area).
We don’t want to damage the hair follicle in the recipient area, so stop hair washing for a few days.
A hair transplant becomes secure after fifteen days approximately, the time to recover depends on each patient and the postoperative precautions, after these days you can return to your typical routine.
If you want to have a hair transplant, come to Capilea, we are located in Tijuana and Monterrey. We are specialists in the area with 20 years of experience.
We will resolve all your doubts. Contact us and make an appointment!
FAQ
When can I sleep normally after a hair transplant?
Right after your hair transplant, on days 0-10, it’s best to sleep on your back on an incline. From day 10-14, you can sleep on your side; however, avoid placing pressure directly on the area that receives the transplanted hair. From day 15 and on, you can sleep normally in any position.
How long do you need a neck pillow after hair transplant?
For nights 1-3, we recommend the recliner and neck pillow sleeping position. For the 4th and 5th nights, you can lie flat on your bed, but only with a neck pillow. By the 6th night, you can use a normal pillow, as your grafts will be in a secure position.
What if I accidentally touched my hair grafts?
Hair grafts are vulnerable to falling out – if touched or if they experience friction – for up to 14 days following your hair transplant.
How long after a hair transplant can I shower normally?
It is important to avoid getting the transplanted area wet for the first 48 hours. This means that you should not wash your hair or let the water run over your forehead during this time.