How long after hair follicular transplantation can I use a hair dryer?

My basic rule of thumb is: no chemicals for 5-6 weeks.


From 2nd-10th days: use gentle (baby) shampoo with the least amout of additives so the fresh transplant sites aren't irritated.

After 2-3 weeks, you can go back to most regular shampoos.

I advise my patients to do any hair coloring 2 weeks BEFORE their transplant, and the generally not again unitl 5-6 weeks after the transplant. By that time, the transplanted hairs will be in their "resting stage" before starting to grow out in the 3rd or 4th month.

You should avoid using a hair dryer on the hottest setting for 2-3 weeks after surgery because your touch and temperature sensation can be numb for at leat that long after the transplant.

You should avoid combing, brushing, or blow drying the hair (with even the cool setting) until the small scabs and flakes have gone away on their own.


Hope that helps.

Hair grooming is a common question.  Here are some quick and easy guidelines we use for most of our patients:First Week- The use of our HairGrow9x which contains growth factors and other promoting agents to help keep hair clean and grafts clean.  The donor area can be cleaned with mild gentle shampoo on day 5.  Style with a comb only (brush can damage grafts).Second Week- The use of gentle shampoo can be used with either a cup of water to clean or gentle use of fingers avoiding the stream of the shower on hair graft sites.  The donor area can continue to use mild shampoo.  Third Week- Resume Minoxidil (promotes hair follicular growth) and can now wash hair under the stream of the shower gently.  The use of hair dryer can be used on a low cool setting.   Hair product can ge used judiciously away from the grafts.Sixth Week- Can resume coloring of hair and use of all styling products.  We prefer the use of chemical-free, natural and organic products when possible.Best Anil Shah

During the first two weeks after surgery, I recommend that my patients refrain from doing anything other than the specific gentle shampoos and cleaning instructions that I provide for them.
Normal shampoos and hair products can be used starting at 2 weeks after surgery.  I would recommend waiting 3-4 weeks after a transplant before using a hair dryer because the scalp sensation will be abnormal and there will be a risk of injury due to too much heat.  This also goes for heat straightening.  With respect to coloring or chemical straightening, it is best to wait about 6 weeks after any scalp surgery, including hair transplant.  Hair coloring should be done several weeks before the procedure if this is something that is performed on a regular basis.
To answer the final question, yes, follicles can be taken from anywhere on the body, but the donor areas on the back and sides of the scalp tend to work much better than body hair in most patients.
All the best,