Although modern hair restoration is minimally invasive and therefore, easy on your body, it is still a surgical procedure. There is always a risk of swelling after surgery, even if it is carried out smoothly. The good news is there are a few simple steps you can take to get the most out of your hair transplant

A few days after the hair transplant, there may be swelling which can affect the forehead and eyes. The look you get is surprising, but it’s nothing to worry about. Swelling can cause discomfort. However, it is not harmful to your health and will go away in just a few days.

This article is about what causes the swelling and the prevention tips after hair transplant surgery provided by Cyber Hairsure Clinic surgeons at Hyderabad.

What is the swelling?

Swelling refers to the enlargement of an unusual part of the body, both internal and external. It can develop either as a result of inflammation or because of fluid retained in the body. Quite naturally, when that happens, that’s how the body reacts to any trauma. Surgical wounds are also a form of injury that can cause infection and swelling. Another reason may be anaesthesia because a lot of fluid is injected into the head before surgery. Medicines are also injected during surgery, which can cause swelling.

What causes Swelling After Hair Transplant Surgery

When we look at hair transplant patients for the first time, we may see swelling appearing right on the forehead or under the eyes. Swelling can occur due to a hair transplant procedure, in which the surgeon injects certain fluids, such as anaesthesia and adrenaline, into the scalp to stop the pain and bleeding, and to create a space between the scalp and skull muscles so that it can easily remove hair follicles from the donor area. With proper treatment, the swelling can last for several days, while in some cases, it can cause infection and discomfort to the patient.

The following steps must be followed to avoid complications due to inflammation. This not only reduces swelling but also prevents further infection and discomfort.

Tips to prevent or reduce swelling

There are ways to minimize swelling even after it has developed. Both prevention and minimization techniques are discussed here:

Cold compress:

Using a cold compress can help reduce puffiness around the eyes. They help narrow the blood vessels near the eye, preventing the effects of eye puffiness. Everything must be done with care, as excessive use of cold compression can also affect the growth of new hair follicles.

Compression can help reduce swelling by reducing blood flow. It is advisable to compress the cheeks and not on the head. Because the graft is still fragile, unnecessary pressure or movement can damage it. Hence, they should be avoided.

Avoid vigorous exercise:

Understandably, this is a routine and essential part of their daily routine for some exercise, but also one of the things to avoid immediately during a hair transplant. This can lead to sweating, which should be avoided at all costs. 

You may be able to resume regular activities 3 to 4 days after the transplant. However, avoid strenuous physical activity as it can increase swelling. It can also cause swelling to bursting, which can eventually lead to the formation of a blood clot. Also, vigorous exercise will make you sweat, and sweating can interfere with the healing process by increasing the risk of infection.

Elevate your head:

The surgical area must be elevated and usually recommended for all types of surgery, not just hair transplantation. However, this is where your head should stay up even while you sleep, and you shouldn’t try to bend over and look down instead of lifting it.

Sleep on your back

It would help if you didn’t sleep on your forehead at the immediate stage of your next hair transplant. Make sure your back supports the weight while you sleep. Also, watch out for the angle of your head. Put a few pillows under your neck to reduce swelling.

Drink lots of water and keep hydrated:

During a hair transplant, make sure to stay as hydrated as possible. This is because water helps clean the liquid that is injected into the head during surgery. This will help reduce swelling, so drinking lots of water is recommended.

Drinking more water – 2-3 litres per day – can shorten the time it takes for the swelling to go away. Water helps clear fluids from the lymphatic system more quickly.

Continue with massage:

It is best to use a gentle sweeping motion from the centre of the forehead to the side to push the fluid under the skin. It is important not to pull the skin, and you should avoid touching the recipient area.

Take the medicine

Cyber Hairsure Clinic will give you medicine to treat hair transplant pain after surgery. In addition to the treatment, you must carefully follow the instructions after the operation. Our hair transplant follow-up team will ensure that you stay in touch with you for 12 months to monitor your treatment process and get the best results.

If you have any questions about other side effects of swelling, you can always book a consultation with an experienced member of the Cyber Hairsure Clinic team.

Avoid certain drugs:

Avoid taking aspirin and ibuprofen for a week as these drugs cause blood thinning and increase swelling.

Use of steroids

Very low dose steroids help reduce swelling on the forehead. This steroid is given as an injection. Corticosteroids are even given to reduce swelling.

Swelling is a prevalent side effect of hair transplants. These are usually mild side effects that go away after a few days, but sometimes they get worse and last longer. In this case, proper treatment must be taken, and care must be given to improve the situation.

Conclusion:

If you experience slight swelling after following all the tips above, you should consult a doctor as early as possible. You can apply the ice pack every hour for up to 10 minutes. We hope that these tips will be of use to you after recovering from a hair transplant.

These instructions must be followed if swelling is detected after hair transplant. For more information on hair transplant, please contact Cyber Hairsure Clinic medical team at the following numbers 040 49540202 / 8331020202.