Worried - 4 months post op. Did I screw it up?

[GimmeBack]

Hey Guys,

 

I am very worried. I had my surgery 4 months ago with a very renowned doctor.

 

Today, I got my hair totally soaked in the rain. I was not wearing a hat as it was late evening and sun was ling set. I am now worried that I may have screwed up my transplant. I came home and quickly shampooed my hair to make sure everything was clean. Do you guys think I screwed up my transplant? I still have not seen any regrowth so I am not sure what to expect now.

 

2) I shampoo twice, morning and evening, and have been doing the same since the procedure. Is that not good for the transplanted hair? The clinic said it was ok to shampoo as often as I liked? Can you guys please let me know if that is okay?

 

 

Your inputs will be much appreciated. Thanks all. Cheers!

[xtatic5]

Rain cannot harm your grafts. Additional shampoo will do nothing but potentially dry out your hair.

[evil]

I agree with xtactic5 that the rain had no effect on your hair and also that the shampoo may dry out your scalp/hair, maybe consider shampooing once every 3/4 days so the natural oils in your scalp can moisturize your scalp a little. Also at 4 months you most likely will not see any growth yet, the growth is only just begining so all you'll see is miniature hairs with the help of a magnifying mirror.

[GimmeBack]

Thanks guys. I am a little relieved now.

 

Are we not supposed to shampoo every day after HT to make sure the scalp is clean? If I do not shampoo everyday, will that not stop the growth? So what should I do those days, just rinse my hair with water?

 

I let my family take a look at my scalp once in a while when they are over, even they cannot see the hair with the naked eye when it is sprouting?

[Slickers]

Gimmeback, I don't know why you think a bit of rain is any different to standing under a shower. Relax And at 4 months there's really nothing to be worried about in terms of damaging grafts, that's only a concern in the first week to two weeks max.

 

Who was your doc? And was it Fue or FUT?

[Garageland]

Don't worry you won't have done any harm. Please remember 4 months is just the very start of things and many patients don't start to see a benefit until 5/6 months from surgery. It's a long waiting game and patience is the key.

[xtatic5]

Are we not supposed to shampoo every day after HT to make sure the scalp is clean? If I do not shampoo everyday, will that not stop the growth? So what should I do those days, just rinse my hair with water?

 

Special cleaning is only necessary immediately post-op, typically for 2 weeks. After that you may return to your pre-op washing routine. This will not affect your growth.

[GimmeBack]

Thanks Garageland. I guess I am worried because I have followed alot of posts before my surgery and I have seen patients to atleast some signs that it is growing or everything is on track, but at 4 months things are not looking so good.

 

Can you guys also answer a couple of more questions?

 

- When I shampoo and dry my hair, I notice some dry flakes and dead skin and stuff. I am not shampooing gently or babying my hair. I normally shampoo and scrub my scalp, but still dry skin flakes are there on my scalp. Is this dry flaky skin going to hurt the grafts? What can damage the grafts at this point?

 

- Can I start using Revita shampoo? Is there any harm if I use it daily? I am 4 months post op?

 

- I have started taking 3000 mcg MSM and 2000 mcg of Biotin. How should I take it? Recommended dosage?

 

Slickers,

 

I wouldn't like to name the surgeon until I see some results beacaue all of a sudden this thread will be occupied with alot of unwanted replies. I will wait for another couple of months. I had FUT.

 

- Should I use Rogaine foam? How do you guys suggest I should use it post op? After shampoo, morning, evening?

[Slickers]

GB just sent you a PM.

 

Def get on rogaine foam and use it twice a day (morning, night) as per the directions. It should help speed up growth. Are you on Fin?

 

The supplements I think are a good idea as well, based on nothing other than a lot of early growers seem to be chomping them down so no harm giving them a whirl too.

[GimmeBack]

Yes, I am on finasteride. Thanks Slickers.

[greatjob]

have you been taking monthly progress pictures? A lot of the time the change is so gradual you don't really notice it until you compare pictures, especially before the 5/6 month mark. You may have some growth at this point, but it may just be hard for you to notice.

[agenteye]

GimmeBack-

 

Definitely no risk of damaging anything 4 months post-op....especially with rain! =) I agree with Slickers.....get on that Rogaine foam immediately to help speed up growth. As far as Revita, I use it currently......and was definitely using it by 3 months after my transplant. I notice a huge difference in my hair being fuller and typically healthier. I think you're shampooing your hair way too much. It's not good to use shampoo as often as you are, as your hair has natural oils that you are stripping every time you wash it this way. That is probably a big cause of your dry/flaky scalp. Try shampooing once every 2 days......or if you end up buying and using Revita....once every day. Also, I think you are using a little too much biotin and MSM. You should be getting all you need from your regular diet and supplementing biotin with 1000 mcg instead. Anything more than that, and your body is most likely going to excrete the extra anyway.......

[GimmeBack]

Where are you guys buying your Rogaine from? Are you guys using foam or liquid? Shampoo morning and evening before applying Rogaine?

[agenteye]

I shower once a day (or if I shower twice.....only shampoo once). I buy Rogaine Foam through Amazon.com.....as it is cheaper for a 3-month supply (through their "Subscribe and Save" program). The foam is effective, and very easy to apply. I use it twice a day....once in the morning, and once in the evening as directed!!

 

Hope that helps.....

[GimmeBack]

Sent you a PM Agenteye

[greatjob]

I buy the generic foam from costco, I think a 6 month supply is around $60 if I remember correctly

[Garageland]

Thanks Garageland. I guess I am worried because I have followed alot of posts before my surgery and I have seen patients to atleast some signs that it is growing or everything is on track, but at 4 months things are not looking so good.

 

Can you guys also answer a couple of more questions?

 

- When I shampoo and dry my hair, I notice some dry flakes and dead skin and stuff. I am not shampooing gently or babying my hair. I normally shampoo and scrub my scalp, but still dry skin flakes are there on my scalp. Is this dry flaky skin going to hurt the grafts? What can damage the grafts at this point?

 

- Can I start using Revita shampoo? Is there any harm if I use it daily? I am 4 months post op?

 

- I have started taking 3000 mcg MSM and 2000 mcg of Biotin. How should I take it? Recommended dosage?

 

Gimmeback

 

At 4 months your grafts are firmly lodged in your head as they were after a week. You should be washing your hair normally as you did before surgery. Some people have dry scalps try applying a little coconut oil to the scalp and massage in and see how that helps. A little dry skin is not going to harm the grafts.

 

You start start the shampoo and use it daily if you wish but that may be the cause of your dry scalp try washing every other day and see how that clears up. Taking MSM will only speed up your hair growth and extend the growing period, as far as I am aware there is no recommended dosage but 3000mg is certainly enough.

 

Wish you all the best and remember 4 months is just the very start so try not to worry so much.

[GimmeBack]

Thanks everyone. At 4 months post-op what can damage the grafts?

 

I mean not having clean pillow or hat, can that affect the grafts somehow? I make sure that everything that comes in contact with my scalp is clean, but I travel alot and I am not sure how strict the hotels are with their hygiene and also the sweat build-up in the hat, can that somehow put the grafts at risk?

 

What should I be avoiding to do at this point?

[greatjob]

Thanks everyone. At 4 months post-op what can damage the grafts?

 

I mean not having clean pillow or hat, can that affect the grafts somehow? I make sure that everything that comes in contact with my scalp is clean, but I travel alot and I am not sure how strict the hotels are with their hygiene and also the sweat build-up in the hat, can that somehow put the grafts at risk?

 

What should I be avoiding to do at this point?

 

Its good to be cautious but at 4 months post op about the only thing that will harm your grafts is a very severe sunburn, and at this point even that is unlikely to do a lot of damage. You are pretty much at the point where you can 100% stop worrying about it and just go about your life.

[GimmeBack]

Thanks Greatjob. I guess I am over-cautious because I haven't started seeing results yet. Once I see some growth/new hair it will settle in then. Until that point I want to make sure that I am not doing anything to jeopardize my results. Thanks once again.

[KhalfanUAE]

Hi Gimmeback, I dont think so rainwater can ruined you HT specially 4 months already passed. But washing your hair 2 times a day might be problem as far as I know its not really good for healthy hair too. When I have go my HT my specialist suggested me to use Sebamed lotion 1 hour before washing hair. After 1 house again wash my hair with Sebamed shampoo. And she suggested me to use always either natural shampoos or Sebamed.