Can I get sun on the donor site a week post op?

Question

7 days post Neograft. 900 grafts in frontal/temporal hairline. No bleeding, scabs are 50% gone in recipient,90% gone in donor, I have strictly followed post op protocol. Both sites have healed well. Tuesday I return to work and my new haircut has of course exposed more scalp. If I wore a hat, would it be ok to get sun on the back of my head? I feel it would help with concealing the donor site and make the new haircut look better in general. I'm fine waiting but I wanted to check my options.

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear Rob19,Great question.  Following any hair restoration procedure, it's a good idea to stay out of the sun for long periods of time for at least two weeks.  At our practice, I instruct my patients to hold off for a month.  This is to prevent hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or hypopigmentation (light spots) or increased scarring in the areas addressed surgically. As mentioned in other answers, this information should be contained in the post-operative information packet that you should have received with your procedure.

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

Avoid the sun for 30 days if you can.  Sunscreen with an spf of 30 or greater is good for the donor site.  The sun can cause pigment changes at the punch sites.  While they often aren't permanent, you will want to avoid it if you can.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

You are right in checking all the options you have. I suggest you remain out of the sun for your NeoGraft recovery and also continue to practice safe sun exposure practices through consistent application of sunblock and wearing covering clothing including hats when you expect to be out in the sun.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you "strictly followed protocol" then everything should be fine.  If you are concerned about other issues it is much easier to call your doctor or email your doctor for issues.  In general, wearing a hat or covering your head to block out the sun's UV rays is a good idea.

Tina Venetos, MD · Answer

You may begin wearing sunscreen 2 weeks post op after the NeoGraft procedure. A sunburn can potentially cause scarring in the area that was treated as well as the donor site. I would contact your NeoGraft provider and get a copy of the post op instructions that you should have received prior to the procedure.

James D. Frost, MD · Answer

Protect these areas from sun until they are completely healed.  With that said, if you absoluyely have to, the donor site is less likely to be damaged by sun than the recipient site.  Sunscreen may be used on the donor site but I would not risk it on the recipient sites.If in doubt, always avoid sun.  I hope you are thrilled with your new hair!

Elbert T. Cheng, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question concerning sun exposure after a NeoGraft procedure. After your NeoGraft hair transplant procedure, you will want to stay out of prolonged sunlight for about 30 days. The risk is that prolonged sun exposure will lead to hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation (dark spots or light spots), conditions which you will want to avoid. If you will be in the sun, you should plan on wearing a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher in the donor area for your protection. Talk to your board-certified facial plastic surgeon about their own specific aftercare instructions during your next office visit. Good luck with your procedure! - Elbert T. Cheng, MD

E. Ronald Finger, MD · Answer

One week after hair transplant surgery is a little soon for direct sun exposure. This may cause pigmentation changes, but more importantly, the heat from the sun will cause some swelling in the grafted areas. Our usual recommendation for direct sun exposure is one month. We allow hats to be worn after five days, and certainly you do not have to remain inside for this period of time.
Thank you for your question and best of luck to you.

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! We suggest no hats for several weeks, at least two, and maybe more depending on how its healing. Additionally, as mentioned below, sun exposure that early after this procedure is not recommended as the area is definitely still healing, could scar or have hyper or hypo pigmentation issues. Best to wait for a month or so. Glad to hear its healing well! Dr. Grant Stevens

Michael E. Kelly, MD · Answer

I would avoid any sun exposure for at least a month after NeoGraft.  First and foremost, when you are going to be in the sun, you should always wear sunblock, and you can't put any medicated or chemical topicals onto the implantation site for about 4 weeks.  Of course, a hat is a great solution, however, especially in the immediate post-treatment phase, you don't want to wear a hat that can put any pressure on the implantation sites.  All said, I recommend my patients defer any significant sun exposure or activities that would cause a lot of sweating for about a month, just to be safe.

Can I get sun on the donor site a week post op?

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