Introduction
Hairstyling after a hair transplant aims to give someone a new face in life. For that reason, after undergoing a hair transplant in our clinic, many patients will want to know what to expect.
Many will always ask, will I have my favorite hairstyle/ use my favorite hair products?
It is a familiar excitement that one will want to try new haircuts, new dye, and colors. Not to worry, it is understandable. To experiment with your unique hairstyle builds your confidence in your looks because you will leave with it the rest of your life.
After the hair transplant , surgeons advise that you take at least two to three weeks before touching your grafted hair follicles. Here is an interesting article on whether or not you can wear any hat after a hair transplant.. It is true that is the standard time recommended for your scalp to heal from the minor incisions made during the hair transplant procedure.
Even when hair follicles implant on the scalp, our best surgeons in Dubai will always advise you on when to try a new look with your hair. The surgeons will tell you which is the best way to style your hair after a hair transplant.
One important thing to note, though transplanted grafts take up to one month before they fall off, and your new hair starts to grow again. So, it means the new hair will take three to six months to start coming up, and it won’t be an overnight growth.
So, in the hair transplant process, patience is a virtue. Take it seriously, be kind to your hair and let it go slow with hairstyling if you want to maintain your new look for the rest of your life.
This article will look at all that you need to know about hair styling after a hair transplant. We will discuss various aspects ranging from haircuts, hair drying, applying dye and colors, and many more. Read to the end.
When To Start Hair Styling After Hair Transplant
For a regular haircut and application of mild, simple dyes, you can do those two to three weeks after hair transplant. However, it takes up to 12 months for your new hair in the recipient area to grow fully.
Remember, your scalp and other minor wounds caused by the hair transplant procedure take two to three weeks for them to heal. So be patient and allow the scalp, donor area, and recipient areas to heal.
For better results on styling your hair after a hair transplant, I recommend you wait for an entire year. Indeed it is the best time because you will have enough hair to try any style you want and use hair products.
Above all, check with your hair transplant surgeon to assess and determine your hair follicles status. That is when the surgeon will advise you when to start styling your hair after the hair transplant procedure.
Is It Safe To Do Hair Styling After Hair Transplant?
It is safe only to style or touch your scalp two to three weeks after a hair transplant. However, the best way is to consult your hair transplant surgeon to decide if you are ready.
More so, after a hair transplant, your grafted hair follicles are still sensitive, and they take two weeks to heal. Therefore you will aid your scalp to recover well before applying any hair products.
Most of these hairstyles involve using chemicals that might be too harsh to the hair follicles and your scalp. So avoid rubbing and use products that have harsh chemicals to clean, dry, and style your hair.
After I have said that, the bottom line is to consult the hair transplant surgeon. Hair transplant post-operative care will largely depend on the advice he/she gives. Above all, be gentle with your newly transplanted hair follicles for better results.
What Are The Hair Preparation Methods After Hair Transplant?
Patients use various methods to carry out hair styling. The excitement of trying something new with the transplanted hair pushes many to try a different style. But that depends on one’s preference and how fast the hair follicles can heal.
There is no specific hair styling method for all. However, the following three are standard ways that are acceptable when styling your hair.
1) Washing hair after transplant
2) Drying the hair after washing
3) Applying conditioners and hair gels to give your hair a healthy and shiny look
The experience gained by our best hair transplant surgeons over the years of operations is immense. They will offer tips and instructions that will work for you when you visit our hair clinic.
#1. Hair Washing After Hair Transplant
Hair wash is a method adopted by many patients when setting out to style the hair—different ways of work. However, the products used range from one person to the other. The most common include:
- Use of shampoo
- Use of hair conditioners
- Use of hair gel
- Spays and mousses
Let us look at each of the above hair treatment products and the effects they pose on your newly grafted hair follicles.
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Shampoo
Shampoo is one of the products used by many when carrying out hair treatments. Yet, it would help if you did not use them 48-72 hours after the hair transplant for the new grafted hair follicles.
After a hair transplant, you need to have a lasting result for your hair. So you need to aid the healing process by following the doctor’s direction. Avoid using a shampoo that has harsh formula chemicals on your scalp.
Consequently, use of mild shampoo works well. Mild shampoo helps prevent itching and rubbing your scalp. Indeed itching and rubbing might dislodge the grafted hair follicles. The most recommended shampoo by our surgeon is baby shampoo.
It contains mild additives and detergents that are gentle on your skin. Do not use anti-dandruff products or shampoo.
Although the use of shampoo is to clean your hair, please do not use it frequently because it can damage the natural oils that the hair poses, leading to dry and unhealthy hair.
Therefore use the shampoo in moderation. Above all, avoid dislodging the hair follicles, be gentle, careful, and kind to your hair when washing and scrubbing your scalp.
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Hair Conditioners
Hair conditioning comes after you have washed your hair with shampoo.
After a hair transplant, the challenge that patients face is the itchy and scabby scalp. Therefore when washing, you need a product that will reduce itching, moisturize and soften the skin, and promote the scabs to fall.
Most conditioners work well between 48 to 72 hours after a hair transplant. More so, the conditioner has mild chemicals that reduce itching and promotes healing of the scalp. It encourages the scabs to fall off faster.
The chemical formula of hair conditioner makes it ideal in hair styling. How is that? It contains oils, humectants, and fatty alcohols. Also, it gives your newly transplanted hair a healthy, flexible, and soft look that you desire.
Besides, the conditioner has proteins and thickening agents that make your hair grow in large numbers, making it look fuller and dazzling.
To improve the healthy grafted hair, and avoid disturbing your hair follicles every time you wash, use the leave-in hair conditioner.
The formula design of the leave-in conditioner is to make it stay in your hair for long. And, it promotes hair growth by retaining the products on hair for long.
Above all, not all conditioners work for every hair and skin. People react differently to hair products. So, consult your hair transplant doctor on which conditioner fits your hair and skin type.
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Hair Gels And Sprays and mousses
Many doctors recommend using hair gels, sprays, and mousses two to three weeks after the hair transplant procedure. Hair gels, wreaths, and mousses harden the hair to enable the hair to fit any hairstyle that you would wish to have.
There are various types of hair gel, sprays, and mousses in the market. Therefore it is crucial to consult the best surgeon to guide you on which one to use.
Most people would go for hair mousses, also known as styling foam. It works well than hairsprays and hair gels. The chemical combinations in mousses make it ideal for hair styling products for both short and long hair.
When used, mousses leave your hair wet and easy to comb and adds volume to your hair.
Mousses contain varied ingredients that promote healthy hair looks. It also has other extra functions like sunscreen that shields your hair from the effects of sunlight.
Again, colored mousses help promote fading hair color by creating a hairstyle and encourage toning hair.
Hair sprays protect hair from the effects of wind and humidity. The concentrates and propellants contained in hair sprays provide a shield against rough winds. The fierce winds damage your grafted hair follicles.
In all these hair gel, sprays and mousses, it would be best if you involve your hair transplant surgeon. The surgeon will advise you on which one will work well with your skin and avoid irritating your skin.
#2. Hair Drying
After you have washed your hair using shampoo, conditioners, and gels, you need to dry your hair and get rid of any moisture and water contained in it. Wet hair is fragile and prone to breakage. Damaged hair is the last thing you will want to encounter after undergoing an expensive hair transplant process.
Various methods are in use when drying hair after washing. But, refrain from harsh drying methods that might harm your scalp and the newly grafted hair follicles.
Drying your hair and having better results are two different things. Remember, there are various types of hair, and each hair needs its special care when drying.
Whether you want to use natural ways of hair drying or you prefer faster methods to dry your hair, it is good that you apply both ways. Which include air drying and blow-drying? So, allow your hair to air dry then blow-drying when it is about 90% dry.
The following are acceptable ways to dry your newly grafted hair naturally without applying heat.
I. Pat your hair dry by using a towel
The idea here is to avoid rubbing your wet hair. Wet hair is fragile and prone to breakages. More badly, excessive rubbing with your towel causes friction to your already sensitive and weak scalp. Also, you can end up dislodging your newly grafted hair follicles.
So, you use a microfiber towel to pat your hair while drying. The good thing with microfiber garments is that they are gentle and soft to your hair. They Soak water more than your regular towel.
When using the microfiber towel, you are saving yourself from snagging and tearing your hair follicles.
Ii. Untangle your hair strands before it completely dry
After patting your hair with a microfiber cloth, don’t wait for your hair to dry before you detangle hair completely.
Therefore start to untangle your hair when it is 50% dry. When straightening, ensure you do it in small circles starting from the roots working your way outside towards the end.
News flash, be gentle when doing this, and hold your hair with one hand as you comb. Remember, your transplanted hair follicles are still week. Therefore don’t risk unplugging them from the recipient area.
Here is the catch, to make it easy for you to detangle your hair strands, spray leave-in hair conditioner. The conditioner will soften the hair strands; thus, you will use less effort to untangle your hair strands.
Remember to use a wide hair comb that does not stick and snap your hair follicles.
To ensure your hair has a better look after drying, apply a recommended hair spray, gel, or hair mousses. That does not only add style to your hair, but it leaves your hair looking healthy and shiny, with added volume.
Iii. Wait for the hair to dry and apply your favorite style that you desire
You have to be patient and wait for the hair to dry before trying your favorite style. After you have confirmed that your hair has dried totally, you can apply a little styling gel for a better look and easy play.
What is attractive with hair styling is that people have different types of hair. Therefore pay attention to your type of hair and work out with the proper technique to style.
After air-drying your hair and you wish to have your hair blow-dried, then consider the following.
- Ensure you have a suitable blow dryer
A hair transplant is a worthy investment; therefore, investing in a suitable blow dryer goes a long way to cut the damage you may face.
An ideal blow dryer should have features that will enable you to handle your hair and take the shortest time to dry your hair.
- When performing a blow-dry, ensure you use hair heat protectant products.
The heat that emanates from the dry causes damage to the hair follicles, especially grafted hair strands.
Therefore heat protectors act like sunscreen, thus shielding your hair from the heat.
- Use a dryer that allows you to adjust the level of heat that you desire. Different hair works with varying levels of heat to ensure they dry completely. So choose the one that is fit for your type of hair.
Using a blow dryer should not be a problem after the hair transplant process. Generally, after two weeks or three weeks, your transplanted hair follicles have healed and firm in the recipient area.
The minor incisions and scabs have healed and therefore not affected under moderate temperatures while blow-drying.
Avoid using heat that is high that makes you feel as if your skin is burning. That way, you will hurt your donor and recipient areas hence damaging your hair follicles.
Apart from that, consult your hair transplant surgeon. It will allow you to decide about hair washing and drying after the hair transplant procedure.
What Are The Common Hair Styling Methods After Hair Transplant?
The following are standard hairstyling methods used to style hair after a hair transplant procedure. Here are the different locations of hair transplants.
- Textured curls
- Brushed up
- Comb over
- Caesar
- Stick back and roll.
There are various hair styling methods used by many people when styling their hair. However, it all depends on personal preference. By the way, what works for you might not work for me. Again, a different hair type determines the kind of style that will work for you.
A person with curly hair will prefer a different hairstyle than a person with straight hair strands. Above all, always ensure you choose a styling method that does not put a lot of pressure or strain on your newly grafted hair.
By doing that, you will cause damage and affect the results anticipated after a hair transplant.
Can I Shave My Hair As A Way Of Styling After Hair Transplant?
Yes.
You can shave your hair 14 to 21 days after a hair transplant. But, how short or how long your shave should be will depend on the hair transplant procedure used.
Patients who have used the FUE procedure can maintain their shave below grade 2 of haircuts. However, those that used FUT might require wearing long hair cuts until the scar at the donor area heals.
After you have undergone a hair transplant, the standard procedure is to wait for at least two weeks before touching or shaving your hair.
By doing that, you are giving the root follicles transplanted time to heal and implant in the recipient area.
What Is Hot Air Hair Styling?
It involves direct hot air under high temperatures from the blow dryer to alter your hair looks. That means you use hot air to turn the curly hair into straight hair strands and the straight hair strands turned into curls. Different tools carry out hot hairstyling, which includes the following,
- Styling wands
- Curling irons
- Flat irons
- Flacked rollers
- Hair steamers
Because of the damage the hot air styling causes, use moderate or low temperatures on your hair follicles. The advantage of mild or cool airs is that they help cool the scalp.
It maintains a healthy-looking hair strand while keeping your hair follicles. But, hot styling removes essential nutrients, kills the proteins and removes moisture from the hair strands.
It also damages the natural oils, thus exposing your hairs to harsh conditions that lead to hair breakages.
You would not wish to undergo another hair transplant procedure. It is an expensive undertaking that needs patience for you to have lasting results.
You can choose to avoid hot air as a way of styling your hair, but if you must use it to style and experience new looks with your hair, then · Use an adjustable blow dryer tool to regulate the low heat temperatures to avoid damaging your hair. ·
You can use heat protecting sprays that will act as a shield against hot air.
What Are The Easy Ways To Style And Protect Your Hair After Hair Transplant?
The best ways to style and protect your hair against damage after a hair transplant are pretty easy and straightforward to use. They include the following
- Use the air-drying method to dry your hair before you proceed to style. It is the only natural way that maintains moisture content and natural oils. Again, it protects essential nutrients that keep your hair healthy.
Ii. Always pamper your hair. The fact that you decided to undertake an expensive hair transplant procedure that means you value your looks. So, do the following to have lasting and healthy looks.
- Daily conditioning of your hair. Or apply a leave-in hair conditioner at least once every week. Conditioners help to reduce tangles that stick and split the hair. In comparison, a leave-in conditioner maintains hair nutrients and prevents loss of natural oils.
- Use of spray and mousses helps to improve hair volumes making your hair look nourished and healthy.
Iii. Avoid exposing yourself to extreme conditions that might damage your hair after transplant. Fierce winds, high humid conditions and harsh hot sunlight. The ultraviolet rays from the sun have never been friendly to hair.
Protect yourself from those rays because they make your hair dry and fragile, thus causing them to break.
Iv. Be concerned with damaging hair products. Consult our hair transplant surgeon, who will guide you on the products to avoid based on your hair type.
- As much as you will love to have a fantastic hairstyle, you will not achieve that without a proper diet. So, always eat a nutritious diet that promotes hair growth and maintains volumes of healthy hair follicles.
Call To Action
Hairstyling gives you a new experience with your new transplanted hair. So, remember to be kind to your hair when styling.
Don’t be an aggressive hairstylist that loves jumping from one hairstyle to another without much attention to the hair. Instead, be an intelligent hairdryer and stylist, one who is kind and gentle to decide what happens to his or her hair after hair transplant reviews and checking with proficient hair transplant surgeons.
When you visit our clinic, you meet a chain of seasoned best hair surgeons in Dubai who will make you an intelligent hairstylist.