Frequently Asked Questions
1. For how much time will it be visible that I underwent a HT surgery?
You should bear in mind to avoid important social or professional commitments during the first 10-14 days postoperative. In most cases it will no longer be noticeable that you underwent a FUE procedure at 10 days postoperative. In case of a FUT procedure it will be necessary to remove the staples on the 14th day postoperative. Afterwards it will barely be noticeable that you underwent a hair transplant procedure. Redness of the scalp could however persist for a longer period after surgery (weeks to months), especially in case of patients with a sensitive scalp.
2. When can I return to work after surgery ?
Being that FUE is a minimally invasive technique patients ca return to work within 1 week or surgery. If work involves physically activity then we comment a minimum of 2 weeks before.
3. Am I allowed to drive immediately after surgery?
Due to the sedation, it is not recommended to drive immediately after the surgery, it is best to come accompanied and let your companion drive. Patients that are staying at the hotel will be driven to their accommodation by the taxi service.
4. When will I be able to take a shower after surgery?
You may take a shower the day after surgery. Direct water pressure on head/grafts must be avoided for
10 days.
5. I suffer from a severe edema in my face, should I worry?
Due to the local anesthetic and the liquid injected into the scalp during the treatment, a swelling will occur on the forehead after the treatment. This is completely normal and will disappear after a couple of days.
6. When will I be able to exercise again?
In case of a FUE procedure it is recommended to start exercising again at 2 weeks postoperative, in case of intensive or contact sports (soccer, combat sports, etc.) we recommend at least 4 weeks of rest. Even after 4 weeks postoperative it is recommended to avoid any bumps to the head.
7. When can I start using Rogaine again?
15 days after surgery Rogaine can be resumed.
8. When can I start using hair fibres again?
It is possible to start using hair fibres at 2 weeks after surgery if all scabs are removed. If not it might be better to wait until 3 weeks postoperative.
9. How high is the risk that I suffer from postoperative hair loss?
Shock loss is mostly a temporary condition where native hairs are “shocked” due to trauma of the scalp during hair transplantation surgery creating temporary hair loss condition. Shock loss occurs when the native hair is weak and isn’t strong enough to resist the surgical trauma that is going on around it. Hair that has gone into shock will grow back but after 3/4 months and it can occur both in the recipient area, and donor area a few weeks after having hair transplantation surgery. If you suffer from postoperative shock loss, it is recommended to start using Laser Cap and/or Rogaine foam as it could fasten the growing process.
10. Do the scabs come off by themselves after the surgery?
The day after surgery the clinic will wash your hair and show you how to clean it so that by 10 days you can stary gently removing the scabs with the tip of your fingers. The scabs might not all come off during the first wash but they should all be removed by the 14th postoperative day.
11. I have lost some transplanted hairs together with the scabs, are these transplants lost?
No these transplants are not lost, the transplanted hair bulbs are fixed into the dermis and will start to produce new hairs, those new hairs will be visible at about 3-4 months after surgery. They will be very sparse and fine in the beginning and will grow thicker and fuller in the following months.
12. I have ‘cracked lines’ in the recipient area. Should I worry about this?
When the scalp is very dry or dehydrated after the surgery, ‘cracked lines’ could occur in the recipient. Once the scabs are removed these lines will disappear.
13. I am now 4 months postoperative, what can I expect at this stage?
You should begin to see some hair growth as fine hairs which will start thickening over the course of the next 6 months. 25% of the result is visible at this stage..
14. I am now 6 months postoperative, what can I expect at this stage?
New hair growth is visible at 6 months postoperative but mostly the hairs are still sparse and thin at this stage and will grow thicker and denser in the following months. 50% of the result can be seen.
15. I am now 9 months postoperative, what should I expect at this stage?
At 9 months postoperative 75% of the end result is achieved. Hair will continue to thicken for another 3 to 6 months to achieve the final result.
16. Postoperative sports?
• After 2 week postoperative following activities / restrictions are again allowed:
• Cardiovascular training: jogging, walking, swimming (salt water).
• Sexual activity is allowed.
Use of a baseball cap.
• Swimming
• After 2 weeks postoperative following activities are again allowed:
Swimming (chlorine water)
Use of a wool cap
• After 1 month the following activities/restrictions are again allowed:
Heavy power lifting, teamsports such as soccer, basketball are allowed but keep avoiding hard hits to the head until 3 months postoperative.
Wearing a (motor) helmet is again allowed without any restriction.
• After 12 weeks postoperative following activities/restrictions are again allowed:
Contact sports (boxing, kickboxing, MMA,..)