Ask a doctor

Hair transplant; Does smoking pot affect hair post FUE treatment ?

Doctor Answers 6

April 28th, 2016

THC and Nicotine with hair transplant.

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Smoking cigarettes will reduce your vasculature and delay healing time.  Results should still be obtained, but may be delayed in some. 

Anecdotally with our patients whom smoke marijuana regularly (2-3x/day) we've noticed a 1 month delay to the onset of growth but once growth occurs, the velocity of the growth catches up with non-thc smokers.
Baubac Hayatdavoudi, MD


Beverly Hills Physician
5.0 out of 5 stars 42 reviews

February 16th, 2017

Marijuana

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

There are no studies that specifically indicate that it would impact your FUE results. However, smoking of any kind can restrict blood flow which could theoretically impact your grafts. I would recommend waiting at least a month before any kind of smoking.

Sean Behnam, MD

Sean Behnam, MD
Santa Monica Hair Restoration Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 91 reviews

May 3rd, 2016

Smoking may affect hair transplant results. This includes Follicular Unit Extraction as well as smoking marijuana.

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Smoking may affect hair transplant results. This includes Follicular Unit Extraction as well as smoking marijuana.  It is advisable that you do not do this.

Learn more: https://newhair.com/resources/

Jae Pak, MD

Jae Pak, MD
Los Angeles Hair Restoration Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 105 reviews

May 3rd, 2016

NeoGraft

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Thank you for your question. Smoking cigarettes is unhealthy, and inhaling any smoke is unhealthy as well. From a medical standpoint, it is best to avoid smoking of any kind especially after an operation as it will reduce blood flow. I suggest you consult with the board certified facial plastic surgeon who performed your procedure for further detail.

Best wishes,

Learn more: http://www.drclevens.com/

Ross A. Clevens, MD

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 124 reviews

April 28th, 2016

Pot smoking after a hair transplant?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
There are no studies looking at the use of cannabis following a hair transplant.  This applies to both FUT and FUE.  I agree that nicotine can reduce the blood flow to the scalp so we encourage patients to avoid this; however, heavy cigarette smokers seem to get great results just as non-smokers get great results.  Smokers do tend to have less circulation to the skin so they bleed much less typically than non-smokers.  
John P. Cole, MD

John P. Cole, MD
Atlanta Hair Restoration Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 15 reviews

April 27th, 2016

Pot smoking after transplant

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
I routinely tell my patients that traditional cigarette smoking is known to reduce the blood supply to the grafts. The same may be the case for pot smoking but I am unaware of any study that proves it. Advice, play it safe.
William Rassman, MD

William Rassman, MD
Los Angeles Hair Restoration Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 28 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.