How to Deal with Pain after Hair Transplant Surgery
As with any other type of surgery, hair transplantation does present some risks, some of which are more common than others and most of which are temporary and easily dealt with. Among the most common - and temporary - risks associated with hair transplant surgery is post-surgical pain. Thankfully, this pain is usually not intense and can almost always be well controlled with medication.
During pre-surgical consultations at the True & Dorin hair loss clinic in New York, hair transplant pain and other possible risks are discussed in detail with our patients. Most patients decide that the minor risks are more than offset by the significant advantages of undergoing hair transplantation; however, the choice is ultimately theirs and theirs alone.
Post-surgical Pain
Some pain after any surgery is absolutely normal, and hair transplantation - whether one undergoes follicular unit transplantation or follicular unit extraction - is no exception. For most hair transplant patients, this pain could probably better be characterized as discomfort because, while it may be nagging and persistent, it is rarely intense. Numbness and decreased sensitivity in the portion of the scalp that received the transplanted hair are far likelier to occur than pain, intense or otherwise, and even that will resolve over time.
Patients who do experience pain rarely do for more than a few days after surgery. Dr. True or Dr. Dorin can prescribe medication to control this pain (as well as sleep medication, if desired or necessary); however, many patients are able to tolerate the discomfort without prescription medication or by taking over-the-counter medication as advised by Dr. True or Dr. Dorin. Pain may also occur as a result of infection. While infection is a potential risk of hair transplantation, that risk can be minimized when patients follow the post-surgical instructions provided by our doctors to the letter. (Antibiotics may also be prescribed to help promote infection-free healing).
Pain and soreness in the donor or the recipient areas lasting for more than a week may be indicative of more serious complications. However, pain and soreness usually subside after two to three days.
The Importance of Following Post-operative Instructions
The best way to avoid or minimize pain after hair transplantation is to follow all post-operative instructions. Patients receive specific instructions on:
- How to shower
- Activities to avoid and when they can be resumed
- How and when to apply any topical medications, if applicable
- How to control swelling and bleeding
- What to do and what NOT to do with the small crusts that will develop in the recipient area
Most of the instructions are easy to follow and require no special effort. As long as they are followed strictly, the chances of a comfortable, speedy recovery and long-term success are very high.
Learn More about Hair Transplant Pain and Other Risks
At True & Dorin, we want our patients to understand both the benefits and the risks of hair transplantation in detail so that they can make confident, informed decisions regarding their treatment. For further information about hair transplant pain and how it can be controlled, please contact our hair loss clinic today.
