Sunlight Exposure

[Ravenroost]

Hello all:

 

I am 9 days post-op, and everything seems to be going well (haven't lost any transplants, skin pigmentation is near-normal, scabbing and crusts are mostly gone). However this morning, a thought occured to me that gave me a fright. When I have been emerging from my apartment the last 9 days (a rare occurance), I have been wearing a hat, even though the UV index has been hovering at 0-1 all week (meaning extremely low, the lowest in fact), it has been cloudy and raining, etc. My bed is situated near a window, with the blinds *mostly* closed. Some daylight does enter the room though, and would pass over my sleeping head. I've been slumbering later in the day, due to the fact that I obviously haven't been sleeping well in the recovery period. This morning, for example, I got up at 11am. The sun is rising around 8am here, but does not come around to my window's side of the building until late in the day, perhaps 3 or 4 pm. It is obviously November, and I am in Vancouver, and we are typically a dark, gloomy city at this time of the year. As I mentioned, the UV index for us in very low at this time of the year.

 

The question may seem silly, but do I have any reason to be concerned about indirect morning light that may drift over my head through the window, given everything I have outlined above? I have no signs of anything abnormal occuing in the recipient area at all, and this is more me being curious then anything.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited November 7, 2010 by Ravenroost

[Ravenroost]

A medical experts reply would be especially appreciated.

[Sean]

I found this answer on IAHRS website, it's actually a featured topic, it gave a link to a response to the topic here Sun Exposure after Hair Transplant - Bald Truth Talk - Hair Loss, Hair Transplant and Hair Restoration Community

 

Seems like people should be careful and avoid sunlight?

[Ravenroost]

Thanks, I've read that particualr discussion. In my case, there was no direct sunlight exposure, if we define direct sunlight exposure as rays on sun beaming directly onto the transplanted area. It was just daylight, meaning it was gray and cloudly and cold, my blinds were up about a foot and a half, and the gray, cloudly, 10:30 daylight was coming through the window. There was obviously no burning, nor could there be under such conditions. As I stated in the opening post, the UV index in this city right now is 0-1, which is the lowest it can be.

 

I'm not overly concerned, I just wanted a little bit of reassuring feedback.

[Sean]

In your situation you explained, i personally think it's not a big deal, but rather the severe cases of constant sun exposure that may be affected.

 

If that was the case, then most hair restoration patients would be forced to remain in darkness until they can step out? I doubt anyone does that. Someone has to go outside and get the mail or the paper or something. In your case, it's probably no biggie and not to over think it. I think you should relax and your good to go. That's a minor thing.

[Ravenroost]

Yeah, I am feeling the same way. But right now there is the deadly combination of

 

 

1) too much time on my hands (week off work for the surgery)

2) a process that is out of my control (growth)

This leads to creeping anxiety and over-thinking the issues

 

I remember it was like this during the last proceedure as well. I kind of just wanted someone to come in my thread and be like "Stop worrying, everything is fine."

 

And you just did that so thank you.

[Sean]

I can understand your situation, I am worrying about these things too and I haven't had a transplant yet. I am scheduled for sometime in August. Till then, I have too much time on my hands when im not busy studying. I just became a "Hard Core Real Hair Club Member' like two posts ago. So, I got promoted in forum ranks. lol. I end up on these forums and look and read and research. I tell you what, I am starting to have so much knowledge on grafts, zones, placement, and etc, I think I should go take a doctors exam and some hands on training and become a doc lol. Seriously, it's gotten that bad. But glad I could help by letting you know to stop worrying and your fine. Your situation is nothing. You are good to go. Just get plenty of rest and stop stressin, remember, don't stress. Stress is one of the reasons we all end up in the hair restoration seat in the first place. Your welcome, and good luck to you.

Edited November 7, 2010 by Sean

[Ravenroost]

It is such a bothersome thing to have to go through, hair loss that is. And your situation is one I was in a few years ago, ie the pre-op should I or shouldn't I phase. I do not regret the 1st transplant, as it really improved my look and I no longer felt like I was suffering from hair loss. No one could point at me and say "He's going bald." But the problem is the anxiety surrounding hairloss never completely disappears, even after a hair transplant proceedure. Even assuming this, my 2nd surgery, is an amazing success (which for all indications it should be), there is no %100 assurance that I will not need future work. I use Proscar, and have been since I was 20 (10 years), but Proscar does not universally affect all parts of the head, and some hair thinning has occured (extremely slowly) despite it. So, I may be back in Dr. Wong's office again in 3-4 years, getting another touch up (that's what the 2nd proceedure was, about 1100 grafts in the hairline and the temples). I sincerely wish that I will not have to, but I might be there, regardless of what I want.

 

So in summary would I say I regret the hair transplant? Not on your life. Does it give you %100 satisfaction? No, it doesn't. The war against hairloss continues, and although I am winning it for the time being I do not believe this particular conflict will ever be over.

Edited November 7, 2010 by Ravenroost

[Ravenroost]

I just became a "Hard Core Real Hair Club Member' like two posts ago. So, I got promoted in forum ranks. lol

 

 

Yeah, I was like damn... this guy is a serious forum member

[Ravenroost]

If I can also make a suggestion, I waited until November to get my transplant for a reason this time. In August, avoiding sunlight is a huge stress factor. Where I live, November is all cloud and grayness and gloom. Which means a lot less sun. I do not know where you live, but you probably have less sun to deal with closer to late fall and winter then you would in the summer. Can you get your proceedure scheduled later in the year (like this time next year, perhaps)?

[Sean]

Thanks for sharing that experience. Well, this is going to be my first one. I really can't wait and obviously I do wish to have a great result. My situation today is, I get that finger pointed with statements such as your losing your hair, your goin bald, and etc etc, from every single person I see it seems plus the not making eye contact but looking up at your scalp looks while people are talkin to you. So, I said to myself, screw this, I think the only way to repair that situation is to repair the scalp. I booked the surgery and now it's just waiting game. Gotta finish up the final semester of university, and im off to the doctors seat for the procedure.

 

But I hear yea on the more then one procedure part. I really don't want to go through it again, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I'd like to have my life back honestly. A big part of that is having amazing hair again. Age 18-19 was my prime, age 28 right now is Norwood 3V. After seeing a lot of people results, and how well they turn out, it just motivates me more. I am sure your results will turn out great, that is a great doc. I wouldn't worry one bit and just let the fun times begin, wait a few months and then hairstyle how you want, the way you want to.

[Sean]

If I can also make a suggestion, I waited until November to get my transplant for a reason this time. In August, avoiding sunlight is a huge stress factor. Where I live, November is all cloud and grayness and gloom. Which means a lot less sun. I do not know where you live, but you probably have less sun to deal with closer to late fall and winter then you would in the summer. Can you get your proceedure scheduled later in the year (like this time next year, perhaps)?

 

 

Yea well, I gotta do it in August due to the schedule I face, otherwise I wont ever find time. But hopefully New Joizey, where I am from, wont be that bad. I'll try to leave at night and come back at night and try to limit my outdoor stay.

[Ravenroost]

Good luck with your surgery then, and finishing up your last semester. I go back to work Monday but I have enough hair now that I should be able just to comb my existing bangs down over my new grafts and no one will be the wiser. I also grew a beard to distract the overly invasive eyes!

[Sean]

Ravenroost, how is it going with the transplant today? Ready to go back to work? good luck

[Ravenroost]

I went back to work today, yeah. Things are going pretty well. Its day 11 and I still have most of my hairs (shedding has been minimal). Last time, I was shedding like you wouldn't believe on day 11. I had some temple work done and I did shed some there yesterday ( I was trying to work the scabs off with vitamin e oil and some hairs came off with the scabs.) I've researched it and shedding after day 7 or 8, with no blood, is perfectly normal and will not result in the loss of a graft. The cells are firmly planted and doing their thing.

 

So yeah, things are going well all and all. There is still some pain in my donor area, however, and its hard to sleep as my staples have yet to be removed. I'll be going in either tomorrow (day 13) or Friday (my next day off, day 15). I seem to be loosing non-transplanted hairs in the region of the recipient area, which I've read is normal. Sometimes shockloss occurs, and it is usually temporary. Nothing major as of yet, however.

 

Today no one noticed a thing. I combed my bangs forward and no one could see the hairline work at all.

[Ravenroost]

And thanks for being interested, Sean. It made me smile

[Ravenroost]

I spoke too soon! Shedding a lot of transplanted hairs right now. As I mentioned before, this is right on time with my last transplant. Now I just keep my fingers crossed and hope shockloss in my non-transplanted hairs in minimal. There is sooo much uncertainty involved with this process, but I just have to put faith in the work of my doctor and hope for the best. I've taken care of the transplants the best I can, and all I can do is hope my hair looks great in the end.

Edited November 9, 2010 by Ravenroost

[Sparky]

There is nowhere near as much uv in sunlight that has passed through glass, it still has uv, but not close to as much.

[Ravenroost]

Yeah, and considering the UV amount was already really low ( 0-1) I'm not too concerned here. I actually just got off the phone with my doctor's office, and they said "There is no concern here, you are fine."

[Sean]

I went back to work today, yeah. Things are going pretty well. Its day 11 and I still have most of my hairs (shedding has been minimal). Last time, I was shedding like you wouldn't believe on day 11. I had some temple work done and I did shed some there yesterday ( I was trying to work the scabs off with vitamin e oil and some hairs came off with the scabs.) I've researched it and shedding after day 7 or 8, with no blood, is perfectly normal and will not result in the loss of a graft. The cells are firmly planted and doing their thing.

 

So yeah, things are going well all and all. There is still some pain in my donor area, however, and its hard to sleep as my staples have yet to be removed. I'll be going in either tomorrow (day 13) or Friday (my next day off, day 15). I seem to be loosing non-transplanted hairs in the region of the recipient area, which I've read is normal. Sometimes shockloss occurs, and it is usually temporary. Nothing major as of yet, however.

 

Today no one noticed a thing. I combed my bangs forward and no one could see the hairline work at all.

 

 

 

 

Glad things are going well for you. Hopefully the pain is now gone and you are able to sleep now and staples have been removed. It sounds great you are able to conceal the transplant as well, by moving your hair forward, this way no one has a clue of any hairline work. Now that some hairs have shed, just be stress free for the next couple of months when you get that full head of hair. You already made that major step of getting this procedure, now you just gotta wait for the rewards. How is the donor area right now? Good luck.

[Ravenroost]

Glad things are going well for you. Hopefully the pain is now gone and you are able to sleep now and staples have been removed. It sounds great you are able to conceal the transplant as well, by moving your hair forward, this way no one has a clue of any hairline work. Now that some hairs have shed, just be stress free for the next couple of months when you get that full head of hair. You already made that major step of getting this procedure, now you just gotta wait for the rewards. How is the donor area right now? Good luck.

 

 

The pain is mostly gone but today I had really strange pain ...but not on the donor wound. It was a few inches higher, near my crown. Intense pain in a localized coin shaped area. When touched, I felt so much pain I felt sick to my stomach. Now, as I am preparing to go to sleep, it seems mostly gone but it was odd.

 

As for hair growth, well I am happy to report I haven't lost all the transplanted hairs yet, and the ones I have lost are already showing some signs of growth in certain areas! Only 18 days out and I have hairs sprouting ( well beyond my orgininal hairline, so I know they are new).