How to Maintain a Healthy Scalp for Optimal Hair Growth After Hair Transplant?

May 23, 2019 | By Dr. Sangay Bhutia (Hair Transplant Specialist in Delhi)

Ask any good surgeon and they will tell you how crucial post-operative care is for regrowth after a hair transplant procedure. More importantly it is not just about avoiding an infection, but the overall health of the scalp, which is an important factor that impacts the growth of hair post the procedure.



Here are some ways to maintain a healthy scalp so you get the best results after your hair restoration:

Be gentle with your scalp
The grafts risk getting dislodged if the patient rubs their scalp vigorously during shampooing or because it feels itchy. Hair can be shampooed after a transplant as per the surgeon’s instructions. However, the patient should shampoo gently and preferably use lukewarm water. The patient might be tempted to rub off the crusting that forms after a transplant but it is not advisable. The crusting falls will fall off on its own.

Don’t get too physical
Avoid vigorous exercising at the gym, contact sports, or any kind of physical activity where your scalp either gets too sweaty or someone else could accidentally dislodge your grafts while playing. Excessive sweating can sometimes cause an infection. Patients are, however, encouraged to do some light exercise like walking. It is good for enhancing the blood flow, and in effect helps hair regrowth.

Usage of Minoxidil
The surgeon can prescribe Minoxidil post the transplant to invigorate hair growth, but the patient shouldn’t start applying the topical solution on their own. Sometime the use and concentration of Minoxidil can cause Pruritus or itching.

Although the likelihood of Pruritus being caused by the use of Minoxidil is very low, but it is important to consult with the surgeon before using it. In the case of occurrence of Pruritus, the surgeon can prescribe topical medications.

Folliculitis
There is a small chance that the patient develops inflammation of hair follicles or Folliculitis post the transplant. In this case as well, the patient should consult the surgeon. If the patient notices inflammation and small pustules in the donor or the recipient area, it possibly is Folliculitis.

Diet Matters
Eating right is important during the recovery and hair growth period for the health of the scalp. Patients should include a fair amount of iron, Vitamins D, E and C, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein-rich foods like eggs, walnuts, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, fish etc during recovery. Hair is made of protein and eating a healthy, balanced diet will definitely boost hair growth.

Avoid smoking, drinking
Both the consumption of alcohol and smoking can affect the amount of nutrients that reach your scalp, which means that these activities affect hair growth. These should be avoided post a hair transplant.

Keep the heat at bay
Avoid hot styling tools or hair dryers during the recovery and hair growth period as well. While a dryer can be used on a cool setting but straighteners or curling irons are best avoided. Staying out in the heat and strong sun for too long is not good for the scalp either. If the patient chooses to wear a hat till their hair grows out, pick a loose one.

Apart from these, the surgeon might recommend dietary supplements depending on the health of individual patients, those should be taken religiously and most other post operative guidelines should be followed so you can maintain a healthy scalp and boost your hair growth.