Vortex

@Gatsby @A_4_Archan thanks both - I’m just past 6 months post op, have been styling my hair with water this whole time lol. I’ll ask my surgeon just to make sure

Title sums it up - when is it safe to start using hair styling products (gels, sprays, leave in conditioners etc) after a hair transplant?

Thanks!

Hey guys. 

What are your opinions on when it’s safe to go outside without a hat post op? For reference I’m about 3.5 months post op and have not gone outside without a hat yet - trying to protect the recipient from the sun and also UV rays on cloudy days.

When did you go outside without a hat? My post op says to wear a hat for 3-6 months but obviously 3 months vs 6 months is quite a big gap of time. I’ll probably just play it safe but please tell me your experiences

thanks!

Haha. I came up with my own method:

I slept very elevated laying on my back, but would cocoon the duvet around my whole body and wrap it under my arms/hands.. so basically my arms wouldn’t be able to move. That way if I did try and squeeze free of the duvet cocoon i’d probably wake myself up lol. I slept like this for weeks and it worked for me 😃 @lunch_owl

2 hours ago, BaldV said:

can you post some pictures?

Would the pics determine whether or not the scalp can be shaved months after FUE? Or you just curious to see? I may make a thread soon

12 hours ago, Rafael Manelli said:

It won’t harm the grafts at all at your stage. Not a chance. Buzz away.

Ok cool, thanks! Do you know what the advised time period is before buzzing the scalp? I’ve seen so many different opinions online 

Hey guys, how long do you have to wait post-op before buzzing / cutting hair?

I have been letting it grow out for a few months ever since I had my HT (shaved FUE), so as you can imagine, the difference between my native / transplanted areas are looking quite ridiculous now. 😅

I really want to buzz my whole head down to 3mm or so but I don’t know if it could somehow affect or damage the growth, or if I’d have to use scissors?

3 hours ago, Gatsby said:

Not at all. I would be giving oral minoxidil at least 6 months before casting judgement. Taking it while growing out a hair transplant will be difficult to judge due to the fact that it takes months for the new hair to mature. I would remain on the drug and be patient. I take oral minoxidil 5mg and for my situation I have found it to be a game changer. All the best!

Thanks, I’ll definitely keep taking it and see what happens. On the topic of implanted hairs maturing… when they initially appear, is it like a black dot on the scalp, or are they basically invisible when they’re growing and only become noticeable once they’ve gained some pigment/matured a bit?

4 hours ago, Archan said:

It doesn't mean that its not working ...evryone adopts to medication in different way and its not a thumb rule that you will have shedding ..its never one thing fits all kinda thing when it comes to meds....so don't worry and continue using the meds if your body tolerated it well and you didn't face any adverse effects ...it will help your native as well as your newly implanted hairs in a great way...best of luck and keep updating ...

Okay thanks, I just thought it was strange! I haven’t had any side effects thankfully, so I’ll just keep taking it. 

Hey guys, just a question really - I’ve been taking oral minoxidil for approx 2 months now to support my recent HT, I was expecting some sort of shed by now (of native hair) but it hasn’t happened. Does this mean it’s not working?

You can send them an email directly: customer.care@mywhtc.com

thanks guys, I got confirmation that it’s fine to start taking straight away - now I just need to find a supplier 

Anyone know of reliable companies / doctors (UK based) that prescribe oral minoxidil 2.5 - 5mg?

I’m aware of ‘Hims’ and ‘Manual’, never used these companies before though and I’d prefer to not be tied up in a subscription service. I’ll consider it though if they’re decent.

If anyone has experience with this please share! 

I don’t want to interfere with the transplant… any general consensus on this?

Getting a little concerned as I’m still swollen after several days.. if it is decreasing it’s at a snails pace. Kind of tired of looking like mr potato head.

Thanks guys!

2 hours ago, HappyMan2021 said:

I didn't forget anything because I'm a baller. But some notable items I brought with me were my own travel pillow and a bunch of snacks. Even though these items were available at the local convenience stores, I didn't want to waste whatever precious little free time I had doing shopping trips - especially in a non-English speaking foreign country. 

Depending how long you are away and when your donor area starts itching, I say Aloe Vera is also an essential item to bring. But that also depends on if/how long of a supply your doctor gives you painkillers for. For all my HTs my donor area didn't start itching till Day 5/6 or so when I was already back home. 

Other than that its just like any other trip, any other items you would normally bring. 

Thanks mate, got those ☑️. Will deffo bring some aloe vera gel

6 minutes ago, airporteffect said:

You're overthinking it! Just relax and be ready for a long, boring day.

Yep I sure am haha. But I’m going to be abroad for a chunk of the recovery so wanna make sure I’m not forgetting anything important

Guys, surgery is fast approaching and I’m trying to be as prepared as possible.  What’s an item that you wish you would’ve brought for your surgery / recovery when having the procedure done abroad, but forgot to? (Or just didn’t consider at the time).

Any answers would be super helpful as I’m sure I’ve probably forgot something. 

thanks 🙏🏽

19 minutes ago, HappyMan2021 said:

You really only need to be spraying for the 1st 4 days or so. After that you just gently pour water on your head until your post op instructions say you can resume showering normally (full pressure nozzle)

You can always ask your clinic for an extra bottle of saline to take. I'm sure they get that request all the time. If they refuse I'd be worried about whatever clinic you are going to in the first place 😬

I'm not certain but I feel like saline spray/solution is commonly available in drugstores, pharmacies, etc. The clinic provided saline spray won't be any different than any you can find elsewhere. 

Ah I was told 7 days of spraying, I’ll definitely ask the clinic for an extra bottle though! I also bought a small bottle of argon essential oil and considered maybe spraying that on the scabs after day 7, but I’m not sure haha. Just wanna make sure the after care is on point 

Basically, no idea how much spray I’ll receive from the clinic when I have my surgery soon, and I want to make sure I have enough solution to spray for 2 weeks (I guess that’s when the scabs should all be gone by?). I would rather not mess around making the solution, storing it in the correct containers etc, easier to buy. 

The only saline I can find in shops seems to clearly state that it’s for contact lenses - is this the exact same solution that you would use to spray grafts?

These are ingredients for a saline solution from a popular pharmacy (that says it’s for lenses):

0.005% w/v hydrogen peroxide, sodium chloride, sodium phosphates, water

Appreciate  this probably seems like an odd question but need to be prepared. 😅

I like the hairline design - it looks like it suits your head shape from the pics. I guess 3000 was the max amount of grafts that could be safely implanted for blood supply etc? It definitely looks natural and you still have more time for it to thicken up. Happy for you man!

+1 also curious, I’m considering starting it after my op, but will have to find out how soon after you’re allowed to start.

17 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Trust in the process. Make sure you prepare yourself for the ugly duckling phase. Remember, you could look worse before you look better. Never compare yourself to others. You’re an individual. Therefore, your growth may start at a different time. Talking to patients really helps go through the process. I suggest starting a journey thread when you get it done. 

Thank you. To be honest I’m totally fine being an ugly duckling for a little while, it’s a short term inconvenience for a lifetime result.🤞🏽 

2 hours ago, mavigo said:

Being that I just had my second procedure, I just tell my self that it's a worth investment in myself and it won't be the last. That life is worth living and constantly improving. 

This helps me cope with the possibility of future hair procedures or even other cosmetic procedures. It'll be fine. 

Absolutely a worthwhile investment! Just really hope it will be a success. Time will tell I guess

4 hours ago, mister_25 said:

I know exactly how you feel, that was me a little over a month ago. Truth be told, no one can magically make your anxiety of the procedure go away other than yourself.

One thing that did help that I still do for the ugly duckling phase I’m currently in and for the anxiety before the procedure, is that I just keep reminding myself that I’ve taken what I believe to be the possible approach for my case/situation.

I guess my one tip for you would be make sure you overprepare yourself so that you don’t leave any room for doubt on your end.

Thanks man, yeah I will definitely be over prepared haha. Will be bringing notes to discuss before the op just to make sure the goal is clear. I think it’s making me feel on edge because there’s been so much anticipation and preparing for a (very) long time, so it kind of just has to go well haha. More nervous about the end result than the actual surgery tbh.