What to Do Before a Hair Transplant

Preparing for a hair transplant can feel daunting, but our team at KSL Clinic will ensure every patient understands what they need to do in the run-up to their scheduled surgery date.

In most cases, you’ll have a good few weeks between deciding to proceed with hair transplant surgery and your procedure, which means there will be ample notice to book time off work to focus on your recovery and make plans, such as arranging a lift to and from the clinic.

We’ve put together a timeframe to cover an overview of some of the main things we’ll ask you to do in preparation, but we recommend speaking with your surgery co-ordinator if you have any concerns or questions.

Planning Ahead for Your Hair Transplant

Step one in the hair transplant process is your initial consultation, during which we’ll assess your hair and scalp, discuss your expectations, and advise on how many grafts we think will be required to achieve the desired result

We’ll also advise on preparation and post-transplant recovery, and answer any questions you might have, which ensures you know what to do before and after.

Every patient is asked to disclose their medical history, as we may need to discuss medications that aren’t compatible with a procedure performed under local anaesthetic, but more usually to ensure we’re aware of any factors that have impacted their hair loss experiences.

In most instances, we’ll simply record any conditions we need to be conscious of, but this is an important part of protecting patients for whom a hair transplant may not be suitable.

Getting Ready for a Hair Transplant Procedure a Week Before

The more rested you are, the better able your body is to recover, and although we often stress the importance of getting a good night’s sleep the day before your transplant, we also know many patients are a little anxious.

Therefore, focusing on good nutrition and rest for the week before is advisable, alongside:

• Stopping alcohol intake due to the impacts alcohol can have on recovery.
• 5 days prior to your surgery – abstain from smoking, spicy/chilli foods, exercise or any strenuous activity.
• Giving your scalp a light massage, helping to activate blood flow.

Now is a good time to stock up on snacks and meals or carry out any chores you won’t want to be performing during recovery. You can use the time wisely to tick off any tasks that you’ll have to do in the next few weeks, especially anything that involves heavy lifting.

What to Do Five Days Before a Hair Transplant

In the days running up to your procedure, we request that you avoid smoking and scale back any intense exercise. If you’re taking a hair loss medication that impacts the blood flow to your scalp, including minoxidil, we’ll ask you to stop taking it 3 days beforehand.

Rest assured, you can resume minoxidil and other hair loss medications after your surgery!

Keeping your head and scalp clean is also useful. We will, of course, clean all extraction and transplant sites as an integral part of the surgery, but having a clean scalp without a buildup of oil is helpful.

How to Get Ready on the Day of Your Hair Transplant Surgery

Knowing what to expect can go a long way to relieving any nerves, and we won’t ask you to make any big decisions on the day. Instead, we create tailored treatment plans with our patients in advance, so you’ll already know:

• How many grafts we estimate to extract and implant
• The cost of your hair transplant procedure
• The anticipated duration of your aftercare

On the day itself, we’ll outline the transplant area so you can review this and ensure it matches everything you’ve hoped for.

Otherwise, there isn’t much you need to do on the actual day, but you may wish to let us know of any series or movies you’d like to watch. In every surgery room we have a TV with Netflix, YouTube or Amazon Prime available at a click of a button

We offer a range of entertainment options, which are a great way to pass the time, with local anaesthetics that ensure you won’t feel any pain or discomfort.

You’ll be instructed to have a good breakfast beforehand (although we do provide lunch, we advise eating within 2 hours of arriving at the clinic) and to pick comfy, loose clothing that you’ll be happy wearing for the duration of the procedure, which can extend to several hours.

We request you refrain from wearing a top that needs to be pulled over your head. It would be best if you could wear an item that has buttons or a zipper for ease of removal.

What do our experts say?

“Preparation is just as important as the procedure itself. Taking simple steps such as getting plenty of rest, pausing certain medications, and planning your recovery time helps ensure the best possible outcome. We guide every patient through this process so they feel confident, informed, and ready on the day of their transplant.” — KSL Clinic

The FUE Hair Transplant Procedure With KSL Clinic

You’ll find a run-through of the FUE transplant technique through our earlier guides, which outline each phase of the surgery itself, but it’s also important to consider the practicalities of your transplant.

We talked about making transport arrangements, and although our hair transplants are performed on a walk-in/walk-out basis, you can have the option of a friend or partner available to drive you home

Likewise, if you’re travelling some distance for your hair transplant, we can recommend local hotels and accommodations that offer high-quality rooms or suites, ensuring you’re made all the necessary preparations and can focus on your hair restoration journey at KSL Clinic.