Can You Use Clippers After Hair Transplant Surgery?
If you like to wear your hair cut short, and are considering a hair transplant, you might be wondering how soon after surgery can you use clippers after hair transplant surgery. Many patients don’t realize that one of the most crucial aspects of a successful hair transplant surgery is the patient’s commitment to proper aftercare protocol.
Hair transplantation surgery is very much a real surgery, and therefore failure to take proper care of your scalp after surgery can cause inflammation or infection, which can result in a failed transplant. In order to prevent this from happening, and to ensure that your transplant lasts a lifetime it is important to be impeccable in the way you treat your healing scalp. This means that you may need to make some changes to your regular hair care routine during the initial healing stages. In this article, we will walk you through what to expect in the immediate weeks post-surgery, including how soon you can use clippers after hair transplant surgical procedures.
Using Clippers After Hair Transplant Procedures
The first thing to understand is there are two main types of hair transplant surgery; FUT (follicular unit transplantation) and FUE (follicular unit extraction). Both FUT and FUE involve the extraction of follicular grafts from one part of the scalp and their transplantation into the areas that are thinning or balding. The two surgeries have different methods when it comes to harvesting follicular grafts.
With FUT, the grafts are removed along with a thin horizontal section of the scalp tissue. The surgeon makes a small incision to remove the scalp tissue and hair follicle grafts, usually, this is done at the back of the head where the hair tends to be the thickest. After this section of hair is removed the scalp is sutured shut. The hair around the donor area does not need to be shaved, so if you wear your hair long, the sutures will be hidden under your hair.
With FUE the follicular grafts are harvested individually. The donor area at the back of the head is shaved, and instead of removing the grafts in a single strip, the surgeon uses a micro punch tool and removes them one at a time. They are extracted in a diffuse pattern throughout the donor area. The micropunch tool generally leaves little to no scarring. Many prefer this procedure because its recovery process is less painful than FUT’s. However, it should be noted that FUE is a more time-consuming surgery to perform, and therefore more expensive. You can discuss the pros and cons in greater detail when you meet with your doctor for your consultation.
Understanding FUT & FUE Procedures
Once you’ve completed your consultation, and you and your surgeon have agreed on a treatment plan, you’ll be ready to set a date for your surgery. Your doctor may give you exercises to increase the laxity of your scalp, to help prepare it for surgery. You will be instructed to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol in the days and weeks leading up to your surgery as well. Finally, you will be instructed not to get a haircut, particularly one with clippers in the weeks leading up to the date of your surgery.
Both FUT & FUE are outpatient procedures performed under local anesthesia. The scalp will be injected with a numbing agent so that you won’t feel a thing, but you will be awake during the procedure. Because the procedure can last for many hours we encourage our patients to bring earbuds so that they can listen to music, audiobooks, sports games, or podcasts that they enjoy. This helps to pass the time.
After your surgery, your head will be bandaged and you’ll be given aftercare instructions for the days immediately following your procedure. Avoid direct sunlight and UV exposure. Avoid smoking. Don’t wet your head or go swimming. Avoid any vigorous exercise that could cause you to sweat, and you must not wear any hats, helmets, or wigs. All of these things could cause damage or infection or both, to the delicate grafts that are settling into your scalp.
Hair Transplant Aftercare & Healing Phases
Up to Two Weeks
It takes between 10-14 days for the initial recovery phase from hair transplant surgery to take place. During this time it is normal for the patient to experience some redness, scabbing, and swelling of the scalp. Sleeping in an elevated position can help to reduce some of the swellings. If you had a FUT, it is normal to experience some tenderness at the site where the sutures are in place. As the scabs at the donor and transplant sites start to form, you may experience some itching, but it is very important that you don’t scratch your scalp or pick at it. After the first week, the swelling should start to diminish and symptoms should continue to improve. If the opposite occurs and symptoms worsen or persist after 2 weeks, contact your doctor.
The recovery for FUE is a little less intensive than it is for FUT but with either surgery, we recommend that you set aside at least a week, ideally 2 for rest and recovery. During this stage, you want to be sure to minimize your scalp’s exposure to the elements and avoid activities that could damage the newly transplanted grafts.
After 2 Weeks
Around 2 weeks after surgery the hair will begin to fall out, but don’t despair, this is a completely normal part of the process. After this hair fall, the new hair will begin to grow back in. You will begin to see visible results in 3-4 months. Within a year to 18 months after surgery, your hair will have grown in and the results will be apparent.
When it comes to when you can use clippers after hair transplant surgery, we recommend that you avoid clippers such as buzz cutters for the first year after your surgery. You can resume haircuts one month after surgery. However, alert hairdressers or barbers that you recently had this surgery. Scissors are your friend for the first couple. Using clippers after a transplant, especially too soon after a transplant can damage the newly transplanted grafts, or put them at risk of infection. If you’ve had a FUT surgery, sutures may be at risk of infection while healing. When it comes to both FUT and FUE, shaving the donor area too soon can impact how the skin of the scalp heals, making scarring more visible.
Your Hair Transplant Consultation
When you schedule your consultation with your doctor they can make recommendations for best practices when it comes to caring for your hair after surgery. Discuss how you prefer to style your hair. Your doctor can make recommendations on how you can achieve your desired look. All while accommodating your healing scalp after your transplant. Though it’s not advisable to use clippers after transplant surgery, there are talented barbers comfortable working with scissors only. Your doctor may be able to recommend some hair care specialists. Some may have extensive experience working with transplant patients. In general, plan ahead for your recovery so that it can be as comfortable and stress-free for you as possible.
At Best Hair Transplant, we offer complimentary consultations. Additionally, we offer the best rates on FUT, FUE, and LLLT laser therapy. We are located in Redondo Beach and have over 16 years of experience caring for hair transplant patients. We advised patients with many diverse hairstyle preferences on how to care for them after their transplant. This includes whether or when they should use clippers after hair transplant surgery.
SUFFERING FROM HAIR LOSS?
Best Hair Transplant is the best place to schedule your hair transplant in Los Angeles. We’ve helped both men and women regrow their lost hair. But don’t take our word for it. We suggest learning as much as possible about hair restoration. Do so prior to making a decision on how to address your hair loss. Not every procedure is right for everyone.
At Best Hair Transplant, we’re proud of our results and happy to provide hair restoration services. Additionally, we’re proud to make hair transplants affordable and help you save money on a variety of hair transplants.
To ensure your ease of mind, you can view our customer recommendations HERE. Furthermore, you can also see our Google reviews and Yelp reviews. We can’t wait to help you start restoring your lost hair.
YOUR HAIR RESTORATION SOLUTION
Best Hair Transplant
1970 S. Prospect Ave., Suite 2
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(213) 403-0455
