You’ve researched hair restoration centers, talked to family or friends who have had hair transplant surgery, looked at before and after photos, read reviews, and had a consultation with the doctor who is going to perform the procedure. Sounds like you’re ready to take control of your hair and self-esteem!

Not so fast. When it comes to hair restoration, optimal preparation leads to optimal results. As such, we’ve put together a general schedule to help you prepare for treatment day.’

Up to One Month Before the Procedure

Book any travel accommodations you may need. This includes travel to and from the clinic, as you will be recovering from anesthesia, time off from work and social obligations, and so on.

One Month Before

One month before the surgery is the time to make sure your hair and scalp are as healthy as can be. Begin by massaging your scalp for 10 to 20 minutes each day to help regulate blood flow, even the skin tone of your scalp, and promote the healing process.

Two Weeks Before

This is the time to take steps to ensure a healthy healing process. Consult your doctor and follow their pre-surgery advice. Let them know all medications you are currently taking as some may interfere with surgery and recovery. Stop drinking alcohol as alcohol widens blood vessels, therefore increasing swelling and the incision site. You should also refrain from cutting your hair at this stage. This is particularly important if your donor areas are short in length to begin with.

One Week Before

If you smoke, this is the time to stop. Smoking makes it more difficult for the body to heal after an incision, as anything with nicotine can make it more difficult for oxygen to move through your blood. This can also increase your chances of leaving scars on your incision site. At this time, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to help control any kind of possible infections in your body.

The Day of Surgery

Just before your hair transplant surgery, you should wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner as usual. You should not use any additional hair styling products like gel or hairspray, as you’ll need to keep your hair relatively natural. While doctors commonly request you cease eating and drinking anything but clear liquids around midnight the night before your procedure, your doctor will give you his or her own instructions.

It’s natural to be nervous for any kind of surgery, even a relatively minor one like a hair transplant. The experienced staff at DiStefano Hair Restoration Center will help you through every step so that you feel confident, comfortable and at ease through the procedure and beyond. Contact us today with any questions or to schedule your free consultation.