A Beard transplant is similar to the traditional hair transplant surgery performed on the scalp, with the only difference being the hair transplant procedure is performed on the scalp while the beard transplant procedure is performed on the face – the beard area.
This is why you will often find post-operative care instructions are very similar for the beard transplant surgery as they are for the hair transplant surgery.
Below you will find some post-operational recommendations for patients who have undergone a beard transplant or people who are thinking of undergoing this surgery.
Do’s and Don’ts after your beard transplantation:
There are a number of recommended do’s and don’ts after a beard transplantation. However it is extremely important you follow the detailed post-operative care pack you will receive from your surgeon to aid recovery.
- Pain. The surgery itself will be virtually painless due to it being performed with local anesthesia. However after the surgery and once the effect of the anesthesia wears off, you may begin to feel mild paint at both the donor site as well as the recipient area, this could last upto a few days. To relieve pain use cold compressions and pain medication.
- Your face will remain slightly swollen for 3 to 5 days. Maximum will be experienced on the fourth day on and around the transplanted area. Swelling is a common side effect therefore please do no be alarmed as this will do no harm to your beard transplantation.
- Itching. This is another very common side effect after a beard transplant. Itching can occur on the face (the recipient area) as well as the scalp (the donor area). Please resist your urge to scratch the itchy area. If you feel itching might become uncontrollable, please discuss with your surgeon about what you could do.
- Sleeping Position: Like the hair transplant which is performed on the scalp, beard transplants also require the patient to sleep in an upright position, at least for a couple of nights following the surgery. Sleeping with your heard elevated will help to reduce post-surgical swelling as well as minimized chances of bleeding. Use two to three pillows to achieve desired head elevation.
Washing your face
You may be advised not to wash your face for 24 hours and it is important to follow this instruction if it is given. However you can safely wash your face and head the following day. Washing your face will need to follow the instruction given by your surgeon.
- Generously apply lotion to the transplanted area. Let the lotion sit for between 10 and 15 minutes. This will help loosen the scan around the transplanted grafts.
- Use the prescribed shampoo, if any, to wash your scalp as well as your beard. Leather a small quantity of shampoo or face wash between the palms of your hands and carefully apply it to the transplanted area.
- Gently massage the treated skin with your fingertips. Don’t rub, let the scab come off naturally.
- After washing pat dry your beard
Repeat this daily for between 10 and 14 days to remove scabs. Resist the urge to pick or scratch at the scabs.
Shaving
Don’t shave the recipient area for at least a month. The donor area can be shaved after a week, but it is best to avoid doing this for a couple of weeks.
Recovery times
The transplanted hair follicles take 7 to 10 days to attach themselves to the blood supply in the recipient area. Expect to experience shock loss within 3 to 4 weeks Hair regrowth will begin after 3 to 3 months. You will be able to notice any signs of hair growth during the fifth and sixth month post-surgery. Final results can be seen after approximately a year.
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