Reducing Bleeding after Hair Transplant Surgery

Many men who suffer from hair loss and balding look for ways of achieving a natural, full head of hair. Thanks to advances in hair transplantation techniques, such results are relatively easy to achieve. When you visit a hair loss clinic and discuss your situation with a hair restoration specialist, you will be able to get all the information that you need regarding surgical and non-surgical treatments for baldness.

Right now we want to look at hair transplant surgery, and focus on one of the common side effects as patients recover: bleeding of the hair grafts and the donor area.

About Hair Transplant Surgery

First some basics on hair transplant surgery. Modern hair transplant techniques involve the removal of hair follicle units from a donor area, usually the back portion of a patient's head. (Given the way that hair loss progresses, the hair in the back portion of the scalp is likely to be preserved.) Once these follicles are harvested, they are then transplanted into the frontal areas of the scalp. When they heal fully, these transplanted follicles will grow natural hair in the once-bald part of the scalp.

Bleeding After Hair Transplant Surgery

Many patients who undergo hair transplant surgery will notice some amount of bleeding, both in the graft area as well as the donor site. This is natural and to be expected as part of the healing process. Thankfully this is only temporary.

How long will bleeding last?

In most cases following follicular unit transplantation or follicular unit extraction, the bleeding will last for about two weeks. During this time, the grafts and donor area will naturally scab over and heal, which is a normal part of the process. The bleeding can be easily managed and minimized.

Basic Post-Op Instructions to Prevent Excessive Bleeding

First of all, patients should never pick at the scabs on their scalp or peel them. This impedes the healing process and may actually damage or dislodge the transplanted hair follicles.

In the first few days after surgery, patients should avoid taking any medications that thin the blood. This can cause excessive bleeding in the scalp. Patients should only take the prescribed medicines that their hair restoration specialist has provided and follow instructions to the letter.

In the case of swelling in the donor area, place a sterile gauze pad over the donor site and apply an ice pack to it for roughly 10 minutes every hour and no longer. Do NOT apply the ice pack to the hair grafts themselves as this can harm their viability.

Carefully Cleaning Your Graft Sites in Case of Bleeding

In the event of bleeding, patients should apply a light, clean cloth to the bleeding grafts or donor site and apply light pressure for a few minutes. It's very important to treat the scalp delicately, especially to maintain the health and placement of the transplanted follicles.

Avoid Exercise to Reduce Bleeding

Exercise, heavy lifting, and other strenuous physical activities that result in sweating or pressure/tension on the skin should be avoided for a few days after surgery. This helps prevent bleeding and also gives the transplanted follicles an opportunity to heal fully.

Learn More About Hair Transplant Surgery

For more information about hair transplant surgery as well as your many other options to consider for effective hair restoration, be sure to contact our hair restoration clinics in New York, Boston, and New Jersey today. Our entire team here is eager to discuss these and other matters with you in greater detail.