Can I smoke cigarettes after a FUE hair transplant?

Question

Can i smoke cigarettes after a FUE transplant. Only two days have past and i can't stop myself from smoking cigarette will smoking effect negatively on the newly transplanted hairs.

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear terminator1983,
The short answer is yes, smoking can very much inhibit the growth of the new grafts, **especially** in the 2 weeks following a hair transplant procedure using any method whatsoever. Hair restoration surgery is basically a large exercise in wound healing. Thousands of wounds are created and we’re trying to have them all heal perfectly and nourish the newly transplanted follicles. Smoking or nicotine use of any sort causes a constriction of the blood vessels responsible for feeding the new grafts. I have had 3 “failures” in my 15 year career of performing exclusively hair restoration surgery, and all three were heavy smokers who did not stop in the period around their surgery. One man even left the facility to go to the parking lot to have a cigarette during his procedure! His results were predictably poor.  I advise my patients to discontinue all tobacco/nicotine use for 21 days prior to and following the procedure, for a total of 6 weeks of abstaining. I hope this information is helpful to you.
Kind Regards,
Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Dear terminator1983Thanks for the question. Smoking reduces the blood circulation and this can effect the hair grow of the "new" hair. We know that stopping smoking is not easy for the patients and this is why we recommend to consume not more than 5 cigarettes per day if the patient can not stop. I wish you all the best.

Emrah Cinik, MD · Answer

yes smoking effects you transplanted hair negatively. It will slow down your healing process and specially nikotine effects your blood circulation

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you want to stop smoking, contact your doctor for possible treatment options.  It is not a good idea to continue smoking after surgery.

Koray Erdogan, MD · Answer

Smoking affects the amount of proper blood flow to the transplanted grafts. Therefore, we highly recommend to our patients that they avoid smoking or limit smoking prior to the surgery and particularly one week after the procedure. Thus, it is of great importance to avoid smoking in order to ensure adequate oxygen and nutrient for the transplanted grafts in order to obtain the most successful outcome.

Sean Behnam, MD · Answer

Because smoking restricts blood flow, it can very much affect the outcome of your transplant, especially if has only been a few days. Wait as long as you can to resume smoking, or consider quitting.

Baubac Hayatdavoudi, MD · Answer

Smoking is not recommended after a hair restoration procedure as it effects your blood circulation and over all health.

Cory Torgerson, MD, PhD, FRCSC - Account Suspended · Answer

Nicotine and smoking constricts your blood flow to the grafts. The follicles will need a strong blood supply in order for the hairs to grow. So by smoking you may be compromising the result of your hair transplant.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Smoking after a hair transplant is not being sensitive to the graft blood supply which might be compromised.

Can I smoke cigarettes after a FUE hair transplant?

Answers (9)

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