Many people need prescribed painkillers after the procedure for the first two nights. In addition, you may need to take Paracetamol (or Co-dydramol) every 6 hours and/or Ibuprofen every 8 hours for the first 24-48 hours. Take your first dose of antibiotics with your evening meal.
Post-Surgical Medication
Anti-swelling medication: Medrol Dose Pack – take as directed start the morning after your procedure. Pain medication: take Ibuprofen 400mg every 8 hours as needed for discomfort. You may also take Tylenol. Do not take Aspirin products for one (1) week following surgery.
Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen are pivotal in managing swelling after surgery. They help reduce inflammation and swelling, making the recovery period more comfortable for the patient. It's essential to follow the prescribed dosage and schedule to maximize the benefits of these medications.
Tips for reducing hair transplant swelling
Don't take ibuprofen — ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can make you retain water and increase swelling around your forehead, so take paracetamol to manage any pain instead [7].
In a small number of patients where the transplant has been a large one, you might feel mild pain that persists for 1- 2 weeks.
In most cases, drug-induced hair loss is a self-limited condition. This means that hair loss from medication usually ceases once people stop taking the medication.
Biotin is well-known for its role in strengthening hair strands, making it a popular choice for post-transplant recovery. Vitamin C supports collagen production, which is important for skin elasticity and wound healing, while Vitamin D plays a role in hair follicle cycling.
The best position is to sleep on your back, using a soft pillow for support. Keep your head slightly elevated with pillows to reduce swelling and avoid disturbing the grafts. A 45-degree angle is ideal for the first 5 days after surgery, which can help improve blood circulation.
Symptoms of a bad hair transplant include unevenly placed hair grafts, thin or patchy areas, and excessive scarring, swelling, and redness. If you experience issues, contact your surgeon immediately for advice on corrective measures, which may include additional hair transplant surgery or other treatments.
It can be one hair for some, but it can also be more. The average count is 2 hairs per graft.
After a hair transplant, doctors generally advise having some oral antibiotics and topical antibacterial cream for applying on the open wound for the first few days. Medications such as Minoxidil and Finasteride, along with treatments such as Dermaroller, PRP, etc. are usually prescribed.
Check with your transplant team before taking any over-the-counter or new medications to avoid potential interactions with your immunosuppressant medications. This includes aspirin, acetaminophen and cold medication.
During a hair transplant procedure, superficial nerve endings will be severed. This will result in some numbness or loss of sensation in both the recipient and donor areas. These nerve endings will eventually regenerate over time usually within 2 to 6 months of the procedure.
Generally, you can begin washing your hair normally about one week after a hair transplant procedure. Your surgeon may recommend you still use the provided shampoo, or they may advise that you can return to your regular products.
Local anaesthesia is usually used during hair transplantation. Local anaesthesia is used to reduce pain and discomfort in the procedure area. In some cases, sedation (light sleep) may also be preferred.
Pain after a hair transplant
Some patients also report soreness in the donor area on the second healing week, this is completely normal as the tissue is recovering. Post-op hair transplant pain can be relieved with over the counter pain killers.
Foods To Eat After Hair Transplant
Apple, Avocado, Berries, Orange, Lemon, Kiwi, Tomato, Mango, Pineapple, Banana… Rich in vitamins C, E, B3, B6, B7 (biotin), and fibres these fruits will help you with the newly growing hair cells after hair transplant.
NSAIDs. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are painkillers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. These drugs can cause hair loss by creating stress, which then causes hair to go into the telogen stage prematurely. Hair loss may be noted about 2 months after starting the medication [17].