Hair Transplant Pre-Op Guide

Choosing to undergo hair transplantation surgery is a big decision. While the treatment has become more common in recent years — with improved success rates and developing technology — it’s still a fairly significant undertaking.

However, by following a few important steps, both before and after your hair transplant, you can keep the whole process as stress-free as possible. To assist you with this, we’ve created this dedicated hair transplant pre-op guide to help you better understand the steps in the lead up to a hair restoration procedure. Here, we’ve outlined some important do’s and don’ts, as well as a handy checklist to ensure you have everything ready before travelling for your treatment.

The aim of this guide is to give you useful information on how to best prepare for your hair transplant. Please note that our guidelines are not intended to replace any medical advice provided to you by your doctor.

Hair Transplant Pre-Op: Important Information to Note

While there’s not a huge amount of pre-hair transplant preparation required, there are a few important points that should be followed. This guidance is relevant to all types of hair transplant surgery, whether it be FUE or DHI. To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of do’s and don’ts to help you to get your treatment started on the right foot. These are common recommendations from reputable hair transplant specialists, however, we advise that you also discuss your individual hair transplant pre-op instructions with your doctor to ensure that you make the best possible preparations for your treatment.

Hair Transplant Pre-Op Don’ts

• Don’t smoke 24 hours before the treatment.

Why? Smoking causes poor blood circulation which can both inhibit and prolong the healing process, as well as increase the risk of infection.

• Don’t drink alcohol for three days before the treatment.

Why? Alcohol dilutes the blood which can lead to an increased amount of bleeding before and during and after a hair transplant.

• Aspirin and B and E vitamins should be avoided for one week prior to treatment.

Why? Aspirin can inhibit the functions of the blood component platelets. As these are responsible for creating blood clots, inhibiting the functionality can cause increased bleeding during and after a hair transplant.

• Avoid using any hair sprays, gels, or other styling products before the treatment.

Why? Before the hair transplant surgery, your hair will be shaved down to allow for easier extraction of the hair follicles. Keeping your hair free of any styling products will make this process simpler. This is not as important for those who book the non-shave option — in which only the donor area is shaved — although this method tends to produce less optimal results.

Hair Transplant Pre-Op Do’s

• Inform your doctor about any allergies to medications that you have.

• Let your doctor know about any abnormal blood test results that you have received.

• Speak to your doctor if you have a medical condition or take regular medications.

Hair Transplant Pre-Op Checklist

Whether you’re travelling abroad for your hair transplant or undergoing the treatment at home, there are a few really important things to remember. These will help to make sure that your treatment runs smoothly, as well as ensuring that you’re as comfortable as possible while the procedure itself is taking place. Below, we’ve outlined a handy pre-hair transplant checklist.

✔ Pack books to read and a laptop or tablet with Netflix to watch during your treatment as the surgery usually takes a few hours.

✔ On the day of your treatment, wear comfortable clothes like a button-up shirt that don’t need to be pulled over your head.

✔ Bring a neck pillow to rest and support your head after the procedure.

✔ Put any lotions that the clinic gives you in 100ml bottles. This way you can pack them in your hand luggage.

✔ If you plan to buy post-op medications abroad, consider adding checked-in baggage, as you won’t be able to store them in your hand luggage.

✔ Make sure that your passport has at least six months of validity. This is especially important now for UK citizens travelling within the EU following Brexit.

✔ Print your booking confirmation and a copy of your emergency contact details.

✔ Bring any relevant medical records or test results.

✔ Pack a city guide if you’re travelling abroad for treatment and plan to explore the surroundings.

✔ Double-check your local governmental authority website about any new travel advice or if specific entry requirements — like a visa — are required.

✔ Are you travelling abroad and paying by credit card? Be sure to inform your bank that you’re going to be carrying out transactions overseas.

Preparing for Your Hair Transplant Together With Qunomedical

At Qunomedical, we are committed to supporting you before, during, and after your hair transplant surgery. Interested in finding out about the treatment? Looking for some more in-depth information? Or are you ready to get started and book your treatment? Whatever your request, contact us and one of our Patient Managers will then be in touch to help. They’ll work closely with you to find the right doctor and destination, as well as creating your 100% free, non-binding assessment, regardless of whether you choose to book with us or not. All of the doctors that we provide you with information on have been thoroughly vetted in accordance with our proprietary scoring system, Qunoscore. If you do choose to go ahead, your Patient Manager will be your personal point of contact throughout your entire treatment journey.