If my hair stylist is a smoker, will getting a haircut from her be harmful to my grafts?

Question

I plan on getting a hair transplant soon. My hair stylist is a heavy smoker (reeks of cigarette smoke), and I’m not sure she washes her hands prior to cutting hair. If I get a haircut from her (at about 5 weeks post-op), would that harm my grafts at all? Thanks.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank your for your question.  First of all your hair stylist should be washing her hands after every client. Don’t be shy about asking her to wash her hands! No her smoking won’t have any negative impact on your transplant. Best wishes.Dr. T

George Khalil, MD · Answer

Hi brsmit,
I have several points of view on this specific subject, and hopefully they can help.

First point, absolutely the answer is yes.  Tar and chemicals/carcinogens from your barbers fingers can get into your scalp.  Is that good for 5 week old grafts?  Absolutely not.  Do you have to switch your favorite barber?  Not necessarily.  Bring a bottle of Purell with you and explain your situation to your barber.  See if he/she will use a generous amount before they touch your scalp.  Easy answer?!  
Second point, my first hair transplant (as a newly graduated doctor) was in 2011 and my hair transplant technician was a heavy smoker.  They even took a smoke break during the half way point.  I justified the decision based on how good I knew that technician was.  Would I make that same decision now?!  Absolutely not, I’m a hair transplant surgeon and could never endorse that.  Did my hair grow wonderfully with a great outcome.  Yes!
Third point, don’t smoke!  Not even one puff.  Don’t vape!  You will throw all your results down the drain.  5 weeks is a critical phase for those new grafts to start growing.  Make the comparison of a developing fetus in the womb.  If the mother smokes, the baby will be born with low birth weight, irritability, and the pregnancy may not even make it to term as a result of the smoking.  A little off topic, but I hope this comparison helps!  Best of luck on your new hairs!

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!If a hairstylist is actively smoking in your presence, you might become a "second hand" smoking victim. If your stylist washes her hands between clients ( a good practice), there should be no risk involved.Best wishes...

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

second hand smoke will not hare the recipient area grafts from a hair transplant. If you prefer not to be in her presence, find another stylist

If my hair stylist is a smoker, will getting a haircut from her be harmful to my grafts?

Answers (4)