How to sleep after a FUE hair transplant procedure

By Prof. Dr. Soner Tatlidede 2020-01-31

It´s quite important to learn how to sleep after a FUE hair transplant to avoid any damage to the new follicles that have been transplanted. It´s in the first day after the surgery when new follicles must settle properly in the scalp; therefore, follow the medical recommendations and avoid any complication in the operated area is the key to prevent damages to the grafts.

So, if after learning about the hair transplant cost in Turkey you decided to get an operation, and you wonder how to sleep after a hair transplant, let´s talk about the main recommendations to follow in order to take care of your new hair and prevent any discomfort while sleeping.

How to sleep after a hair transplant: first night

First night is the most important of all. We have just undergone our operation, and our head has suffered an intervention that implies anaesthesia, extracting follicles, implanting grafts ... This means that our scalp will be much more sensitive, so we must take care not only of it, but also of the new hair.

Therefore, in post op sleeping after a hair transplant is essential to take special care of the implanted area, and not touching or scratching it to avoid any damage to the new follicles. In addition, we should not be alarmed if the operated area suffers inflammation, since this is a normal process after the operation and will disappear after just a few days.

In what concerns to the sleeping position after hair transplant, the best position is to sleep upright placing a cushion or something similar behind the pillow, so that we lie with our head elevated. Besides, if we also have a travel pillow to be placed around the neck, using it will prevent us from turning the head or making any contact or pressure on the operated area.

Sleeping after hair transplant: first days

During the following days and up to the first week after the operation, we must continue sleeping like this to avoid any contact or rubbing with the transplanted area. It is also very important to rest well and be relaxed to favour recovery and healing; and of course follow medical recommendations given by our doctor and take the medication against inflammation.

One of the advantages of sleeping upright during the first days is that it prevents too much blood from flowing into the head and increasing blood pressure in the newly operated area, something that can damage the new follicles. To avoid the temptation of touching or scratching your head, even involuntarily while sleeping, a good trick is to sleep with your arms inside your pyjamas so that you can't put them out easily.

The question is: when can I sleep normally after a hair transplant? How long should I sleep upright after hair transplant? Well, normally once that 7 to 10 days have passed after the operation, we can consider that follicles are already settled and that incisions have healed; so unless that any complication surge or we have a another indication from our doctor, it´s time to sleep normally.

Things to be done after a hair transplant procedure

Apart from the aforementioned recommendations about how to sleep after a hair transplant, including sleeping upright, during the first days after the operation it is also important to follow these tips:

• Wash your hair with the shampoo recommended by your doctor, which should be PH neutral and without chemical additives or sulphates. Besides, you should wash your head gently, and without scratching or rubbing.
• It is important to drink enough liquids during the first days to keep a good hydration and to favour the elimination of anaesthesia by our body.
• During the first week after the hair transplant you should not practice physical activities (including sex, sports, etc.) that imply an effort, and of course avoiding to touch the operated area.
• You must protect your head from the sun, using big hats that do not touch the operated area, but not caps that could apply pressure on the grafts.
• You should not bathe neither on the beach nor in the swimming pool during the first weeks, due to the presence of chlorine or other substances.

These are just some general recommendations, but you can ask your doctor if you need more information or if you still have doubts about how to sleep after a FUE hair transplant. At Clinicana we are at always at your disposal to help you, and remember: you have a free online consultation service without any obligation for you. Give it a try!