Is there any risk to having a hair transplant procedure 3 weeks after rhinoplasty?

Question

Hi everyone, Is there any risk by having a Hair Transplant procedure 3 weeks after the rhinoplasty surgery? The hair transplant would be only to recover my hairline But the HT doctor says that I have to stay for about 3 hours with my face down for the graft extraction. Would this normally be a issue? Thanks in advance for your answers.

Marco Barusco, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question!

Having a hair transplant just three weeks after rhinoplasty requires careful consideration, especially given the specific posture required for the graft extraction phase. I generally recommend waiting at least 6–8 weeks. The face-down position required for graft extraction could place unnecessary pressure on your healing nose and potentially interfere with your rhinoplasty recovery.

I suggest discussing this with both your rhinoplasty surgeon and hair transplant doctor to ensure your safety and the best outcomes for both procedures. Waiting a bit longer may reduce risks and provide optimal results.

Best regards,
Dr. Marco Barusco

Timothy Jochen, MD · Answer

Hi there! It’s great that you’re doing your research and being cautious about your recovery process.

After a rhinoplasty, your nose is still healing, and having your face down for an extended period could potentially put pressure on the surgical area. This could cause discomfort or, in some cases, interfere with the healing process. While 3 weeks post-rhinoplasty might seem like enough time, everyone’s recovery is different, and it's important to prioritize healing.

I’d recommend discussing this with both your rhinoplasty surgeon and the hair transplant doctor. They can give you the best advice tailored to your specific situation. It might be worth considering a bit more recovery time before going ahead with the hair transplant to ensure both procedures have the best possible outcomes.

Take care, and feel free to reach out if you have any more questions!

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Having a hair transplant procedure has no negative effect on your rhinoplasty recovery. Your nose might still be swollen 3 weeks after the surgery but this will not cause any problems for your hair transplant. Best of luck to you.

Arslan Musbeh, MD · Answer

Our preference is to perform the hair transplant before rhinoplasty.
However, if rhinoplasty has already been done, it is safer to wait at least one month before undergoing the hair transplant.
This waiting period allows the tissues to heal properly, minimizing the risk of pressure or trauma to the nose during graft extraction.

If possible, wait 6–8 weeks after rhinoplasty to ensure full recovery and stabilization of nasal tissues.
During the hair transplant, keeping the head slightly elevated instead of fully face-down can help reduce any pressure on the nose.
Discussing the optimal head position with your surgeon beforehand is also recommended for maximum safety.

Upavan Pandya, MD · Answer

Having a hair transplant just 3 weeks after rhinoplasty can be done in some cases, but there are important precautions. The main concern is pressure on the healing nose, especially during the follicle extraction phase, where patients often lie face down for several hours.
To reduce any risk, here’s what can help:1. A special donut-shaped pillow or one with a central hollow can be used to avoid any direct pressure on your nose.2. Side-lying (lateral) position during extraction is another option that can keep your nose safe while still allowing proper access to the donor area.
Always inform both your hair transplant and rhinoplasty surgeons, so they can coordinate and ensure the healing nose is fully protected.

Vincent Gardner, MD · Answer

With regards to when it would be safe to have a hair transplant after rhinoplasty. Typically, I would wait at least two months to allow for full recovery from anesthesia. But in and of itself, there's no contraindication to having it three weeks after as long as anesthesia is OK with it. You should expect some facial swelling from the Hair Transplant. This could affect recovery from the rhinoplasty just due to the extra swelling.

John Peter Cole, MD · Answer

You should check with your surgeon who performed the Rhinoplasty regarding being face down. Your nose will be though a hole so you should not put pressure on the nose. Personally, I harvest with the patient seated because this is the only way to see the angle of hair growth perfectly. In other words, the head is never face down in my procedure. BTW, I am the one who developed the FUE technique. Face down harvesting is not a good way to perform the surgery.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to have a hair transplant 3 weeks after a rhinoplasty. You could still be swollen and you most likely will have to lay face down for a transplant which would be uncomfortable as well as not good. If you still have questions, I suggest asking the surgeon who performed the rhinoplasty. Best wishes to you.

Dr. T

Dr. T

Audrey G. Bauer, MD · Answer

My one hesitation would be that about 20% of patients get significant swelling of the forehead, eyes and bridge of nose after a transplant.  Ideally, if you can avoid doing a transplant until 90 days, (assuming no complications from your rhinoplasty) then you'll be better able to deal with this, if it arises.

Steven C. Chang, MD · Answer

Hi, there is no additional risk by having your hair transplant done 3 weeks after rhinoplasty surgery if it is done via the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) method. Unlike the FUE method, you do not need to be in a face down position at any point during the FUT surgery. This, however, might be a restriction if you plan to have your transplantation done via the FUE method though.

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