Many people are embracing hair transplant procedures around the world. Even so, you would want to know what you should do and not to do before you take that decisive step to have a hair transplant
Time waits for none, and you might one day consider having a hair transplant. You might have a transplant due to losing your hair because of:
- Age
- Baldness
- Scalp injury, or even
- Hair thinning.
Knowing what to do and what to avoid during the pre-operative procedure sets a platform for you to enjoy a successful hair transplant. Like any surgical operation, you cannot ignore the advice and instructions of a qualified surgeon.
Therefore this is the time to understand all the specifics of hair transplants.
After looking at different hair transplant reviews, we have a guide to list and explain what you require to do during the pre-operative time. This guide will also help you reduce the level of nervousness you might be having before the hair transplant procedure.
More so, the guide will help you consider the benefits you will meet after undertaking a lifelong changing process.
Read along
The Dos Before A Hair Transplant
Taking a hair transplant in Dubai or anywhere requires you to do certain things to be set for the procedure. According to medical doctors, the pre-operation process reduces the risks during and after the surgery. It also improves the healing process.
Before going for a hair transplant surgery, do the following.
#1. Choose The Right Surgeon And Right Technique For The Operation
When you look at different medical reviews, nothing is vital to any surgical process than knowing that the person carrying out the process is a qualified doctor. Many surgeons purport to be qualified in Dubai. Ensure you choose the right doctor and a suitable facility where the procedure is to take place.
Having a qualified doctor goes a long way in assuring you that the process will be successful and that your health is in safe hands.
Also, choose the technique that will work well for you and one that is safe for you. There are several types of procedures currently involved in hair transplant.
- Follicular unit transportation (FUT)
- Follicular unit extraction (FUE)
- Robotics
- Direct Hair Implantation
So you must talk to your surgeon and determine which one works well for you. During your chat with the surgeon, there are several questions you can ask them? For example:
- Technicalities involved in the whole process
- The costs you are likely to incur in the entire process
- Are there severe side effects of the hair transplant procedure
- How long does the healing take
- Will there be need for a second hair transplant procedure or one is enough
- Are you a suitable candidate for the hair transplant procedure
- If any complication arise, how do they handle them etc
#2. Undergo The Preoperative Tests
Before you go for a hair transplant surgery, consult your doctor to know how fit you are for the procedure. A qualified doctor will always carry out some specific test to help you understand whether you are stable for the hair transplant or not.
Generally, medical reviews have shown that the doctor will want to establish the safety of your health. And above all, the safety of the health team carrying out the procedure. Some of the blood tests will include the following.
- Blood pressure
- Coagulation tests
- Hepatitis B (HCV) and Hepatitis C (HBsAg)
- HIV test
- Blood glucose
Apart from the above-listed blood tests, the surgeon will also want to carry out other medical tests before undergoing surgery. Tests such as
- Anesthesia test to determine how your body reacts to the anesthesia
- Hair follicle imaging tests
More so, the doctor will prescribe certain drugs to help boost your hair density before the operation. Medicines like Minoxidil and certain types of vitamins go a long way to improve hair density on your scalp. The more the high density the better for the process.
#3. Look For Proper Clothing That You Will Wear During And After The Procedure
Cloths go a long way in determining how comfortable you will be during the surgery because it takes time to complete the procedure. Also, choose and practice wearing certain types of clothes.
- Types of clothes to wear after hair transplant
Start by putting on buttoned shirts and clothes that do not go past your neck. Such dressing types are essential because you won’t hurt yourself when removing or putting them on.
- Types of clothes to avoid wearing after hair transplant
Avoid clothes such as sweaters, jumpers, pullovers, and t-shirts. Pulling these cloths over your head while putting on or removing ends up putting more pressure on the affected area, both the hair donor and recipient areas.
#4. Ensure You Take Care Of Personal Hygiene
Good hygiene, especially of the scalp, goes a long way in speeding up the healing process. It also reduces the chances of any infection associated with the operation.
Going to the operation room well rested goes a long way in relieving the nervousness and the pressure you might have during the operation.
Therefore ensure you take a shower on the morning of the procedure and be well-groomed.
#5.Focus On The Benefits Of Hair Transplant
The reason for having a hair transplant outweighs all the fears you might have about the process. Improved appearance, having a permanent remedy for hair loss, saves costs because it is a one-time procedure and also, saying goodbye to baldness are just but a few benefits.
Looking at these benefits and many more gives you an assurance and an urge to carry out a hair transplant process.
#6. Massage The Scalp At least 10-30 Minutes A Day
It sounds like a weird idea. But, the benefit of a massage is crucial in the hair transplant procedure. Your scalp needs a proper flow of blood and provision of enough oxygen to the hair follicles. Massage plays the role of providing and establishing that flow to the whole scalp.
Apart from the blood flow, massage helps soften the scalp skin, making it easy for the surgeon to carry out the hair transplant procedure
#7. Arrange For Your Transport Out Of The Hospital Way Before A Surgery
A hair transplant does not restrict your movement from one place to another. You can even walk from the hospital to your house if you don’t stay far. However, it is advisable to avoid rigorous activity after the hair transplant surgery. Walking is one such activity because it will result in your scalp sweating.
Sweating increases the chances of infection on your scalp. It hampers your healing process and other complications. So it is advisable to prepare for a comfortable mode of transport out of the hospital to avoid putting pressure on yourself after the surgery.
Do the above and many more before you visit your surgeon for the process.
The Don’ts Before a Hair transplant Procedure
There are certain things to keep in check before you take that trip to your doctor for a life-changing procedure.
#1. Don’t Take Alcohol
Alcohol affects your blood clotting ability. To avoid the risk of bleeding during and after the hair incisions, avoid alcohol at least one week before the surgery.
Alcohol also hampers the effect of anesthesia on your body, and you are likely to feel more pain on the scalp during an operation. Blood circulation to the scalp provides the required nutrients for your hair growth. Alcohol reduces the supply of blood to the scalp, which affects the healing process.
#2. Stop Smoking One Week Before Hair Transplant
The risks that go with smoking are more severe to your health. It also goes a long way in hampering hair growth on the scalp. Leave alone the respiratory damage it causes.
Blood circulation to the scalp is paramount because it ensures enough provision of oxygen to the hair follicles.
Smoking hampers blood circulation depriving hair follicles of the oxygen to aid their growth. Therefore smoking before a transplant will constrict the blood vessels. In return, it causes the target donor area follicles to die.
So, for you not to compromise your healing process and make it easier for the transplant to be successful, consider avoiding smoking for at least one to two weeks before transplant surgery.
#3. Avoid Going To The Barber Shop Or Applying Dye To Your Hair
It is advisable not to shave your hair a few days before a transplant procedure. It is essential to leave your hair long because it will help during the healing process by covering the donor area after the hair transplant procedure.
Avoiding the urge to visit a barbershop helps the surgeon complete the process because the donor area will have enough hair for the operation.
In the same manner, applying dye, gels, creams, or any other oily substances hampers your healing process. The likelihood of you getting an infection with the shades and oily applications on your hair is high.
#4. Don’t Take Some Medication And Some Vitamins Before The Surgery
Different medications react differently to the body when taken. Yet, not all of them will have effects during the hair transplant. But some of them are not good during the surgical procedure. Avoid taking the following medicines before the surgery.
- Blood thinners
- Ant-depressants
- Beta-blockers
- Medicines used to treat high blood pressure
- Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs
It is always crucial to seek your surgeon’s advice. Again remember to inform him/her of any prescribed medicine you are using.
Multivitamins have positive effects on your health. But don’t be mistaken because they also affect the natural impact on the hair transplant. So, avoid taking them at least two weeks before the surgery because it will help in the healing process.
#5 Don’t Take Caffeine On The Day Of The Operation
It is essential to have a light breakfast on the day of the surgery. However, avoid drinks that contain caffeine for at least a week before the surgery. We know that caffeine is a stimulant. It causes blood pressure to skyrocket during the operation.
High blood pressure can lead to increased bleeding, which is a significant risk during the procedure.
Caffeine intake is not suitable for you because it can cause the patient to get more sensitive to some medicine during a hair transplant. Due to the increased sensitivity to medication, the healing process might take a bit longer.
Therefore you can have alternative non-caffeinated drinks on the morning of the surgery. Or even at least a week before the transplant. After all, your ultimate goal is to have a successful process with the desired results.
Wrapping It Up
You decide to have a hair transplant to have the desired yet lifelong solution to your hair problem. Like any other surgical procedure, you need to plan and prepare well not to regret your surgery results.
If, by any chance, you or your friend needs a hair transplant in Dubai, feel free to contact the best and qualified hair transplant surgeons in Dubai. They are best placed to advise you on the dos and don’ts I matter hair transplant.