Exact Answer: 7 – 10 Days.
A hair transplant is a procedure in which a dermatological surgeon moves hair to a bald area of the head. The surgeon usually moves hair from the back or side portion of the head to the front or top of the head where the hair density is extremely low. The procedure involves taking healthy hair follicles from the donor area and implanting them into recipient areas of the scalp affected by hair loss.
Summary
Hair transplants are conducted at high rates. However, what is most important is how well one follows the surgeon’s post-surgery instructions and takes care of one’s new hair grafts to achieve the best and optimum results from the hair transplant procedure.
How Long After Hair Transplant Can You Wear A Hat?
To avoid damaging the fragile and new hair grafts, patients are recommended to wait until 6-7 days before wearing any kind of hat or cap. If you need to cover your scalp anytime before the sixth day, it may be possible to wear a very loose-fitting hat that must not come in contact with the new hair grafts.
The implanted grafts are extremely tender and should not be touched for the first five days after the surgery. Post-surgery, the scalp might show some signs of scabbing and redness which is quite normal after a hair transplant.
Our looks indeed determine the level of our confidence today. In the quest to improvise our look, we must not compromise on adhering to the precaution and guidelines that are given by the doctor when one has undergone procedures like a hair transplant.
After this procedure, the grafts are sensitive and require special care to facilitate successful healing. Therefore, they should be protected from any kind of touch as possible for the first 6-7 days after surgery.
| Effects After Hair Transplant | Days After Surgery |
| Signs of redness, swelling, and scabbing | 1 to 4 |
| Reduction and healing in swelling and redness | 4 to 7 |
| Proper grafting of newly transplanted hair follicles and their growth | 7 |
Why Can You Wear A Hat So Long After Hair Transplant?
One of the most common queries of hair transplant patients is how soon after the surgery is it safe to wear a hat. Following the hair transplant, the patient may experience some bleeding, swelling, and scabbing in the initial days after the procedure. At this point, the scalp is extremely sensitive, surgeons recommend waiting for at least 7 days before wearing anything over the scalp to ensure that the hair grafts are permanently anchored to their new position on the scalp.
Wearing a hat could risk the grafts getting compressed, damaged, or worse, displaced. If the newly implanted grafts get damaged, they can create empty patches in the new hair implanted region on the scalp and thus, jeopardize the entire hair transplant recovery process. To avoid any kind of serious complication post-operation, wearing a hat is considered safe once the new hair grafts are permanently anchored.
Even when wearing any type of headpiece post hair transplant, certain precautions must be taken like not letting the cap or hat touch the implanted grafts while wearing or taking it off. Wear headpieces made of soft fabrics and if possible, avoid cotton as it sticks to the scalp and causes irritation. Wearing clean hats will ensure that there is no risk of any infection. Refrain from wearing a hat or any headwear for long durations of 5-6 hours a day.
Conclusion
Wearing a hat immediately after the transplant could dislodge, move or even compress the grafts that could result in the outcome not being satisfactory as desired.
Thus, after undergoing a hair transplant, give a sufficient amount of time to the newly implanted hair follicles to get adjusted to their new position of the scalp and don’t disturb fragile follicles by touching or wearing a hat. As recommended by doctors, wait for at least a week, till the hair grafts are permanently implanted onto the scalp, to wear a hat or any other headwear.
References
- https://www.dermatology.org.my/pdf/Malaysian_Journal_of_Dermatology_2018_05Jul18.pdf#page=82
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-540-78795-2_12
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