Post Operative

Hair Wash

The day after the surgery the patient goes to the clinic, where there is a Spa prepared for removing the dressing and washing the hair.

This first return is important, as the patient will see the correct way to wash the hair without harming the transplant and will lose the natural fear that exists after the surgery. It is important that the dressing is removed at the clinic to prevent some strands from being removed along with it. On this first day there will be an LED session and laser lymphatic drainage.

LED

LED (Light Emitting Diodes) is a technology that uses several diodes that emit light at different wavelengths, each with a different degree of penetration into the skin. It has several indications, including in hair therapy and in the postoperative period of hair transplantation, where two types of light are used: Red and Infra-red

The LED uses the principle of Photobiostimulation, which is characterized by increased cellular metabolism. Light radiation acts on mitochondria, stimulating the synthesis of ATP (substance that is a source of energy for cells), the synthesis of proteins and also contributing to cell division. All patients have a session on the first postoperative day.

Patients residing in Fortaleza can undergo treatment in order, in the earliest stage, to decrease the postoperative inflammatory process and stimulate healing. In a later phase, the main function is to stimulate the increase of the local blood supply, important for the taking of the hair, and to stimulate the hair follicles. If the surgery was well performed, the result will be good with or without the use of LEDs, however the treatments performed in the postoperative period can further improve the quality of the result. We believe that in patients with thin hair, with little donor area and older, they should always carry out complementary treatments. Patients who do not reside in Fortaleza and want to make use of biostimulation, can perform a similar treatment with the Low Power Laser, or Low Level Laser, which is portable and can be performed at home.

Low Level Laser

The low power laser has been used for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia since 2003, but after its approval in January 2007 by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), a strict organ that regulates the use of medicines in humans in the United States, their use in capillary therapy it has increased a lot. It is used in the postoperative period with the function of reducing the inflammatory process and bio-stimulation of hair follicles, similar to the LED. This device has the advantage of being portable and the patient can use it at home.

Drainage

In addition to the benefits of manual lymphatic drainage, we associate the diode laser that acts directly on the dilation and contraction of lymphatic vessels and micro blood vessels in the region, resulting in a more effective elimination of excess water and toxins from the body, thus reducing the time of postoperative recovery.

Withdrawal of stitches

The internal stitches are made with absorbable threads and on the scalp skin are made with a very fine mononylon thread. This external suture is removed at the clinic around the 15th postoperative day (there is no problem with removing it a few days before or after).

Month-by-month evolution

In this item you can follow the normal evolution of hair transplantation. It is clear that what is here occurs in the vast majority of cases, but the evolution varies according to the individual characteristics of the patients.

1st DAY

On the first day the patient goes to the clinic to remove the dressing, wash the hair and perform a drainage session.

The aspect is that of thousands of incisions with small crusts where the follicular units are implanted. In the case of Long Wire Transplants, you can see a large number of threads with a considerable size, giving a preview of the final result.

Regarding the donor area, if the patient had hair with a size of more than 1.5 cm, nothing is noticeable, since the remaining hair covers the points.

1st WEEK

On the second day you can drive, work and do your usual activities, avoiding physical exercise and exposure to the sun (see general guidelines). The use of caps is allowed to disguise the implanted area. In approximately 60% of patients there may be edema (swelling) in the test and in the eyelid region. This edema occurs due to the migration of the local anesthetic that was used in the surgery and that, due to gravity, can descend to the eye region. When it occurs, it becomes more intense on the 3rd day and regresses spontaneously until the 6th day. No medication is needed, but massages on the forehead area from the center to the front of the ears can be beneficial.

At the end of the first week, during the bath, you can use your fingertips to gently massage the implanted area, which favors the fall of the crusts (be careful not to pull them). It is normal that the implanted hair fall together, but the root remains implanted.

15 DAYS

The stitches are removed at the clinic (for patients who live outside Fortaleza, we make a type of absorbable suture). In this stage most of the crusts have already fallen, as well as the majority of the implanted hair (both in the classic technique, as in the technique of long threads). When all the scabs fall off, the postoperative shampoo can be replaced by the patient’s normal use shampoo.

 1 MÊS

All the scabs will have fallen, as well as the implanted wires. There is no sign of the implant, besides a slight flushing (redness) in the implanted area related to the increase in local circulation. The patient is free for all physical activities, beach baths and swimming.

2 MONTHS

There is still no sign of hair growth, but at the end of this period some cysts similar to “pimples” may appear. This can mean wires jamming at birth. At this time it is important to return to the clinic or contact via email for guidance.

3 MONTHS

Some strands may start to grow, but they are still insufficient to appreciate the result. These will grow one centimeter per month, on average, which still takes approximately 3 months to reach a size that can be combed. Cysts as described in the second month may appear in greater numbers. Some patients may have the feeling that the hair will not grow, but just be patient, it is still very early and the hair has its own growth cycle.

4 MONTHS

Many strands have been born, but are still small and the patient may think that the result will be that, which may make some more anxious. “Where’s my hair at?” or “Is this the only result?” are common thoughts. Just keep your patience for another month or two. Cysts stop appearing.

6 MONTHS

Most of the hair is already born, some are already 3 centimeters. You can already have a good idea of the result, although the hair is still not too big to comb and there are new strands to be born. It is common at this stage for the patient to hear exclamations such as “You are different! I just don’t know what it is … Are you thinner? ”. It is incredible the reaction that some people can have to the change that the hair promotes in their physiognomy, but they do not realize that a transplant was performed, due to the degree of technical refinement of the surgery performed in our clinic. The natural front line with sparse threads and a design based on the normal anatomy of the scalp guarantees this discretion.

Para muitas pessoas, se você não disser que fez um transplante elas não perceberam, e para outras que você disser, não acreditarão dada a naturalidade.

8 MONTHS

At this stage, the result can be seen near the end, but some threads have not yet taken the final shape. In patients with more advanced degrees of baldness, a new surgery can be programmed (when necessary), since the donor area is generally sufficiently elastic for a new removal, if desired.

1 YEAR

All hairs have already grown and are permanent.