Why do some doctors recommend not eating spicy food after an FUE transplant?

Question

Is it because it’ll delay the healing process? Or effect the survival rate of the implanted grafts? How long should I avoid spicy food?

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

After a hair transplant we advise to carefully protect the transplanted hairs for the first 5 days, after which showering and increasing your activities is possible. The transplanted hair shafts will typically fall out in about 3 weeks and the new hairs will start to grow in at 3-4 months. Full growth is judged at 10-12 months. Sometimes the native hairs in the recipient area will continue to thin over time which can give the illusion of a failed transplant, when in reality most of the density is actually from the transplanted hair. 
Eating spicy foods postop thins the blood, which causes more bleeding and bruising, and therefore delaying the healing process.

Gary Linkov, MD
Hair Specialist
Manhattan

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

It is best to contact your surgeon for post surgery issues and care since all doctors have slightly different instructions. Your doctor will be able to provide you with better insight on this suggestion.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello, great question!!! I see no reason at all to not eat whatever you want. It’s my opinion that spicy food will not do any damage to your transplanted area. Go for it and enjoy!!!

David Perez-Meza, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Great question, not really, I haven't seen any decreased growth or delay of the wound healing process  of those patients eating spicy food. I am Mexican and I have had 4 hair transplants and I never noticed any issue eating spicy food. Also, most of my patients are Mexicans in Mexico and I only recommend to avoid any greasy and spicy food the night after the surgery. For my plastic surgery patients, I may recommend some restrictions (do not eat heavy, greasy and spicy food) after major surgery for 2-3 days or more. I have never noticed any wound healing issue. I will suggest you to discuss the issue with your hair surgeon.

Sagar Patel, MD · Answer

First of all, spicy food is great. Secondly, spicy food can make your head feel flushed (we have all been there after biting into a chilli). This feeling can be exacerbated as you might already feel that way to begin. It won't hurt your transplant so if you want to get some good food go for it.

Justin Rome, MD · Answer

The day of procedure is the most important. Spicy foods or alcohol can cause the blood to thin and the blood pressure to rise which could flush the grafts out, plus you have a greater risk of getting swelling in the hairline area, or around the eyes IF the hairline is the priority.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Eating after a hair transplant as far as I am concerned is open to whatever you want to eat. I place no restriction on my patients diets

Why do some doctors recommend not eating spicy food after an FUE transplant?

Answers (7)

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