Post-transplantation, hair growth has a high probability of being patchy and uneven for some time. There is also the possibility of it growing faster on one side than the other. Whenever that occurs, several people shift to shaving or cutting their hair to equal the field. But, this isn’t something to be done right after a hair transplants.
Moreover, several people question whether they are allowed to get a haircut following a hair transplant or change their hairstyle. You are capable of doing both, undoubtedly. Even so, prior to grabbing your clippers, razors, scissors, or going to a hairdresser, step back a little and read our recommendations first.
How Soon After A Hair Transplant Can You Get A Haircut?
Scissors can be employed for a haircut one month after a hair transplant procedure. Yet, for a minimum of three months, do not utilize razors, clippers, or electric shavers on your hair.
Be borne in mind that the recipient and donor sites will be shaved prior to a hair transplant. The hair might be cut from one to three millimeters short for better sight during the extraction and implantation processes.
Therefore, there is no need to have a fuss about shaving or cutting your hair by yourself (or at a hairdresser) a couple of weeks following the procedure. Nevertheless, by the time the hair starts to grow, at the peak of three months, cutting the transplanted and non-transplanted hair the way you like is safe. Recall that the hair growth speed can vary not only from one individual to another but also from one area of the scalp to another.
Why Should You Not Cut Your Hair Immediately After Hair Transplant?
There is a list of reasons why you should cease having your hair cut while you are in the initial stages of recovery.
Graft Dislodgement
Among the biggest risks and complications of getting a haircut following hair transplantation is the dislodgement of the newly transplanted grafts. Keep in mind that for hair grafts to become completely secure in the scalp it can take up to two weeks. So, if you exert pressure, even the tiniest bit, on them before the two weeks mark, they can pop out.
Moreover, you might need to brush your hair, which is an all-new reason for grafts to come out. And the exact same thing can occur if your hand or the hairdressing tool you are utilizing winds up hitting the scalp.
Infection
A further issue with having your hair cut straight after your procedure is that there is an elevated risk of infections. That is seeing that you will have open wounds on your scalp for at least a couple of weeks. And in case your tools are sterile, their bacteria will be transferred to the scalp, leading to an infection, which in turn, of course, delays recovery.
The reason behind the fact that scissors can be employed for a haircut before razors or trimmers is that the latter produces a higher risk of infection. They will directly touch the scalp skin, which will be fragile and touchy for a little time. Thus, not using these tools for a minimum of three months is of utmost importance.
Bleeding
It is not unusual for individuals to cut themselves while cutting their hair or shaving. Normally, it isn’t an issue.
However, when you have grafts on your scalp that are trying to create their roots, it becomes an issue. If you cut yourself or end up poking the scalp’s skin with scissors, you can harm the grafts and induce bleeding. Yet again, this will postpone the recovery and make you much more susceptible to inflammations, infection, and ultimately, bad scarring.
Irritation & Itching
Folks who shave know very well about the itching and irritation that follows. Often, you might end up with bumps. All of this will only be an obstacle to your recovery. Particularly throughout the initial two weeks, the time during which the wounds are trying to recover, the scalp will feel itchy. When you add into the equation the itchiness caused by shaving, things can become messy.
Heat Damage
Several individuals get their hair blow-dried following a haircut, seeing as that enables them to see the end results.
Right away after a hair transplant, it is required to cease the use of a blow dryer since the heat can harm the fragile skin on your scalp. There might additionally be a possibility for harm to the grafts. Although you might be thinking of blow-drying in a cool setting, talk to your doctor first.
What Haircut Should You Get After Hair Transplant?
You are enabled to get whatever kind of haircut you desire following a hair transplant. Though the hairstyles you can pick from are quite restricted in the initial months, after three months, you can choose whichever style you like. At that point in time, the grafts will be secure in place, and the majority of the temporary side effects will have diminished.
If your heart desires, you can get a fade or crew cut, or you can give a thought to having a buzz cut, in order to hide the hair transplant better. This is only possible after three months following the transplantation.
Prior to having your hair cut at a salon, ensure that you are informing the barber that you have undergone a hair transplant. In doing so, the barber will be taking additional measures to make sure that the haircut does not impact the final outcomes of the procedure. Furthermore, he might suggest certain hairstyles that best fit your situation till your hair grows back completely.
Can You Change Your Hairstyle After Hair Transplant?
You can always alter your hairstyle following a hair transplant. There is no constraint existing regarding some hairstyles. You can decide upon cutting or not cutting your hair. All up to you. Simply ensure waiting until you have gone past the safety threshold of one to three months for scissors and razors, trimmers, or clippers, respectively.
In the event that our recovery has been postponed because of some reason or another, make sure to have a consultation with your surgeon prior to getting a haircut. It is probable that you might have to hold it for a little while. Know with certainty that nothing bad will happen to the transplanted hair if it is cut at the proper time.
How Short Can You Cut Your Hair After A Hair Transplant?
You can decide on keeping your hair as short as you would like following the hair transplant. Nevertheless, bear in mind that when keeping your hair too short, the scars on the scalp must be noticeable (in the initial months of recovery). Scarring can disappear fully following a year, so there is no need to worry about them after that, in spite of your hair being short.
Yet another thing to take into account is that it may not be a wise decision to maintain your hair at a short length if the donor area is delicate. Donor areas that are less thick can turn out to look slightly slim and uneven if you cut the hair quite short. This will not be happening if you maintain the hair fairy longer.
Conclusion
Getting a haircut following a hair transplant is totally cool, on the assumption that you hold it for a month prior to using scissors and three months prior to using trimmers, razors, or clippers. Shortly after the procedure, the grafts in the scalp are fragile and the scalp is also delicate and quite sensitive seeing as it contains open wounds.
Attempting to cut your hair only a couple of days or weeks after the procedure can harm not only the scalp but also the grafts. Thus, you should forestall for as long as directed by the surgeon. Then, you can style your hair the way you desire.