All surgeries, whether it be a minor outpatient patient procedure or a heart bypass operation, involving recovery and healing time after the surgery is completed. How much time it takes and the post-operative steps needed to ensure that healing is as quick as possible will depend on the nature and complexity of the procedure. The same goes for hair transplant surgery.
Different hair transplant techniques involve different ways of extracting hair from the donor area which the surgeon will then transplant into balding or thinning areas of the scalp. In turn, each extraction method will leave behind donor areas which experience unique post-operative conditions and lengths of recovery.
Every hair transplant patient wants to heal and get back to the normal activities of as quickly as possible, with as little visible evidence of their surgery as can be achieved. Fast healing, fewer post-operative limitations, and minimal scarring are three of the biggest reasons that the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant technique – developed by the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami’s Dr. Paul Rose – is such a popular choice among those seeking to restore their hair.
The FUE Technique Minimizes Scarring
During an FUE transplant using the ARTAS® Robotic Procedure, we remove follicular units on the back and sides of the scalp one-by-one with a one-millimeter punch device and a head positioning device designed to minimize movement. With FUE, patients can completely avoid a more obvious linear scar often associated with “strip” harvesting of the donor area. Instead, scarring occurs in a dot-like pattern and is virtually undetectable after healing and regrowth.
The minimal scarring means that patients can wear their hair quite short (but not completely shaven) without any evidence that a procedure has been done.
Fast Healing After FUE Procedure
Minimal scarring in the donor area after an FUE procedure translates into faster healing than other transplant methods. You should be able to return to work and engage in your regular activities in a matter of days.
But ensuring that healing proceeds as quickly as it can require care and caution on the patient’s part. If you follow your doctor’s post-operative instructions and avoid actions that could jeopardize your body’s natural healing process, you could unnecessarily delay your recovery.
General ways to speed your donor area healing (in addition to your surgeon’s specific directions) include:
- Avoiding alcohol for at least three days after your procedure.
- Avoiding spicy foods for at least a week
- Do not jog, cycle or lift weights within three days of surgery. Vigorous exercise or heavy lifting should also be avoided for at least one week.
- Waiting at least 24 hours after your procedure before washing your hair.
- Avoiding brushing for as long as possible, and don’t use hot styling tools for at least a week.
Schedule an Appointment Today For Your Hair Loss Evaluation
If you want to learn more about the FUE hair transplant technique, have other hair loss questions, or are ready to take the first step on your hair restoration journey, we invite you to contact us at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami. To receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.