-Hair Cuts- Wait 5 to 7 days after your suture removal to get a hair cut. It is best to keep the hair at the level of the donor incision 1/2 inch or longer with your first 3- 4 haircuts. It takes 8 to 12 months for the donor incision to reach its final stage of healing and for all the hair to grow back around the incision. For some skin types it is common for the incision line to be pink for several weeks to a few months before fading to normal skin color. For some patients there may be temporary shedding of hair adjacent to the donor incision. It takes 6 to 12 month for full recovery of these shed hairs.


-Numbness and Sensation– It is common to have temporary loss or change of sensation to the scalp. The most common area affected is the top of the head. Occasionally, the area above the donor incision may also be affected. The tiny nerve endings located superficially throughout the skin are traumatized by the surgery resulting in the sensation change. The sensation does return to normal, but commonly this can take from 2 to 6 months. Rarely, it may take longer and very rarely, there may be small areas in which the sensation does not fully normalize. There is nothing that can be done to speed this process. Recovery of sensation is often associated with minor tingling, prickling, or itching sensations (signs of healing).


-Growth and shedding of transplanted hair– For almost all patients the transplanted hair falls out gradually from two to four weeks following transplantation. During this period some of the hairs actually grow before falling out. Sometimes the hairs come out when the crusts fall off the skin (attached to the crust) or they may remain to fall out later. Rarely, some of the hairs may not fall out and will continue to grow without interruption. (This is not a problem – you can cut the hairs if you want)


-Regrowth and Development of Transplanted hairs–
-Dormant Period – the first 3 -4 months. Once the hairs have shed the newly transplanted follicles go into a resting period before they start to produce hair. This period is usually three to four months but in a small percentage of patients may extend even up to 6 months. It is uncommon to see any regrowth of new hair during this period. At the end of this dormant time the first of the new hairs begin to appear.


-Emergent Period– months 4 - 5 through 8 The new hairs gradually appear during this period. For most patients by 8 months 90% of the hairs have emerged. For a small percentage of patients there may be a delay of 3 to 6 additional months before full emergence of hair has occurred. Newly emerged hairs are very fine. Hairs along the hairline often appear before those further back, and commonly the crown hairs are the slowest to appear. It is common to see irregular or patchy hair emergence in the beginning that evens out toward the end of this period.


-Maturation Period– months 9 – 12. During this period the new hairs thicken and mature. For patients with coarse hair, the hair may actually get somewhat frizzy during this period before relaxing in another three to four months. For 95% of patients the full result of their transplant is achieved one year after their procedure. For a few patents it takes and additional 3 to 6 months to see the full result.


-Discoloration of the Scalp:For patients with medium to darker complexions, pinkness or redness of the scalp following suture removal is rarely an issue. However, for fair complexion patients a visible pinkness may persist for 3 to 6 weeks and for a small percentage of these patients, even 2 -4 months. Hypoallergenic flesh toner concealer cosmetic can be used to safely hide the pinkness. The doctor may also prescribe a cortisone cream to speed resolution.


-Pimples:As new hairs emerge, a few months after the procedure, either in the area of the scalp that has been transplanted or adjacent to the donor incision, isolated pimples may occur. These are self resolving and should be left alone. However, if you experience many happening simultaneously, it is best to see the doctor for a follow-up evaluation. These pimples are surface irritation as the hair emerges and only rarely represent ingrown hairs. The areas fully resolve and do not effect the growth of transplanted hair in the area.


-Getting Haircuts as the new hair grows in:Because the new hairs come in gradually and are fine in caliber, the vast majority of patients find that they do not have any problem with their appearance as the transplant develops. However, some patients find that keeping their hair short all over their head as the new hair grows in, makes the process even less evident. It is ok to cut the newly growing hair without fear of any damage. The hair can be cut as short as a number one clipper setting if desired.


-Use of Rogaine (Minoxidil):If you have been using Rogaine before your procedure you should continue to use it. If you have not used Rogaine prior to your procedure, you should not start using it unless the doctor has specifically told you to. Contrary to internet rumors, there is no scientific basis to the belief that applying Rogaine to the transplanted scalp will make the hairs grow in faster or better. Rogaine can be very irritating to healing skin, so do not put it on the part of your scalp that has been transplanted until one week after treatment. If you have been applying it to a part of your scalp that was not transplanted you can continue to apply it without interruption following your procedure – just take care to not let it get on the healing transplanted scalp in the first week. If you have been using Rogaine for 4 months or longer, abruptly stopping it for longer than a week can cause a cycle if increased shedding of hair.


-Activities:
-Sun Exposure– Protect the transplanted scalp form the sun for two more weeks, either with a hat or SPF 45 sunscreen spray when outdoor for more than 5 – 10 minutes. This is to prevent forming dark spots on the healing skin. As is always true, sun exposure after this time should be judicious and use of sunscreen is always advisable as good health practice.


-Exercise and Sports– There are No Restrictions. You can swim, run, do aerobics, weight lifting, and even contact sports without fear of damaging your transplant.


-Sexual Activity- There are No Restrictions


-Hair Care Products and Hair Cosmetics– You can return to use of any of your preferred hair care products: shampoos, conditioners, gels, mousses, etc. We do believe that the Head and Shoulders and Neutrogena product lines are excellent for maintaining hair and scalp health, but you can use the products you know and like the best. You can color your hair beginning one month after your treatment. It is safe to use semi-permanent or permanent coloring agents. Try to avoid strong bleaching agents as these can be damaging to your hair whether transplanted or native. You can also use alopecia masking cosmetics such as Toppik( )orDermatch( ?source=google&gclid=CKySrcvp65gCFQZeswodjXfr1Q) . You can use a laser comb if you like. We know this will not hurt anything. Although there are claims otherwise we have not seen adequate scientific evidence that low level laser therapy prevents hair loss or restores lost hair. There is evidence that ongoing use promotes thickening of existing individual hair shafts. It is OK to use this if you want. We have no preference of models or manufacturers.