Getting a hair transplant can be a great solution for people struggling with androgenetic alopecia. That’s why this procedure has been steadily increasing in popularity since 2016 [1]. However, the process doesn’t end after your surgeon has put down their tools. There is a whole recovery process to consider.
Good hair transplant aftercare involves some downtime before you can resume your normal activities. For example, many patients wonder how long after a hair transplant they can wear a hat. They are often surprised to learn that they need to wait 10 days before being able to do so safely.
Hats can be more than just a style choice. They can also conceal shock loss after your surgery, so you can get a hair transplant without anyone knowing. It can also shield your scalp and new hair grafts from the sun and other elements. But it is important to wait the right amount of time until it is safe to put a hat on. Keep reading this article to learn about:
Not only can wearing a hat hide the transplant scars that you’ll be left with after your treatment, but they are also a crucial part of the aftercare process.
For the first few days after your treatment, it’s best to give your scalp time to heal before covering it with a hat. So while wearing a hat may seem like a good way to hide your hair transplant, it should normally be avoided until around 10 days after your hair transplant operation. 10 days is a good time period to wait as this gives the transplanted hair follicles a chance to take root in any balding areas without anything disturbing them.
You should also avoid wearing a hat for extended periods and only wear one when you really need to. When you’re at home, it’s best to keep your scalp free as much as possible. Reserve your hat-wearing time for when you’re going outside.
Wearing the right type of hat can protect the implanted hairs from things like the sun, wind, rain, or dirt. These can potentially irritate the wounds and prevent the new hair grafts from healing properly.
After 10-14 days, the implanted hairs should have settled. In the first few weeks after your hair transplant, it’s best to wear a hat that is loose and breathable. You don’t want to wear anything that’s too tight to your head. This can stick to the transplanted grafts and interrupt the healing process. Wide-brimmed and loose-fitting hats like fishing hats or bucket hats are great to cover up your healing scalp while also offering protection against direct sunlight.
If fishing hats aren’t your style, feel free to wear a loose-fitting hoodie. Just make sure that the hoodie zips up from the front and does not go over your head. Avoid wearing clothing that must go over your head as it could get caught or snag on your implanted grafts. Instead, opt for button-up shirts and/or sweatshirts that zip up from the front.
Since you’ll have healing wounds on your scalp, wearing a hat right away may cause pain or discomfort and can increase your risk of hair transplant infection. But most importantly, for the first 7-10 days after your surgery, your hair grafts are not yet securely attached in their new places.
This means that any friction or mechanical trauma – such as rubbing against the fabric of a hat or being tugged at by it – can pull them out. It is best to protect them from any harm while they are still in this fragile state.
Hair transplants are usually relatively painless, low-risk procedures, but it’s still always good to know what to expect. If you want to ensure great results, it’s important to take aftercare seriously and follow your surgeon’s post-surgery instructions carefully. You’ll be made aware of all the specific aftercare instructions you need to follow by your doctor before and after your treatment so you know exactly what to do.
You will probably be advised to elevate your head when sleeping and be careful when washing your hair after a hair transplant. It’s also essential to learn how to dry and style your hair after a hair transplant. You may also be informed of certain medications to take after a hair transplant that can minimise the chance of experiencing an infected hair transplant.
Although it’s pretty rare, there is still a chance that you will experience some complications after a hair transplant [2]. You’ll be able to tell if your complications need medical attention if you don’t notice any improvements two weeks post-op. But if you suspect anything is wrong before this, speak to your consultant or doctor as soon as possible.
If you’re wondering how soon you’ll be able to resume your normal activities after your hair restoration surgery, here are a few general guidelines:
If getting a natural-looking hair transplant could be the solution to your hair loss worries, book a consultation with one of our world-renowned surgeons. They’ll be happy to talk to you in more detail about the hair restoration process and determine if you’d make a good candidate for this procedure.
We offer a completely free, no-obligation discovery call with all potential customers. You can speak to one of our experts and ask any questions that are on your mind. If you are unsure about what to ask, take a look at our list of questions you really want to ask about hair transplant surgery.
If the item you are required to wear on your head doesn’t serve a functional purpose (e.g. it is merely part of a uniform), you can ask for an exemption for the first 10 days of recovery.
However, if you need to wear it for health or safety purposes, such as a hard hat or surgeon’s cap, it is best to take at least 10 days off from work before you go in and wear your headgear.
If you have any reasons to believe that wearing a hat has damaged your hair grafts, it is important to contact your surgeon. They will likely ask you to come in for a check-up and determine the extent of the damage. Then they will provide you with advice on how to proceed.
It is not recommended to wear any type of headwear for 10 days after a hair transplant, as it can harm your fragile hair grafts. But at the same time, there is also a risk of developing scalp folliculitis if a hat touches your transplant in the first few days post-surgery, before the wounds have properly healed.
It is not a good idea to wear anything at all on your head during the first 10 days after your hair restoration surgery, no matter how light. Any amount of friction may damage your grafts and your scarf could get caught and pull your grafts out.
If the outside temperature is making you uncomfortable, you may want to stay indoors or in air-conditioned spaces during your recovery.
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