Postoperative Instructions
The guide to post-treatment care
The best possible outcome of a hair reconstruction after rehaar® not only depends on the successful procedure but also requires correct behavior from the patient.
Planning Process
Day 1 After Treatment
Congratulations, you made it!
Focus on resting initially and avoid any strenuous activities or sports that could make you sweat. Instead, opt for gentle walks outdoors. Spending around half an hour daily in the sun can promote the healing process, but be sure to avoid getting sunburned. Do not touch the treated areas. Ensure that you regularly and generously spray the treated areas with saline solution. We’ll provide you with an ample amount for this purpose.
The following medications, foods, etc. can be resumed as usual:
- All painkillers
- Enzymes
- All multivitamin supplements, including Vitamin B or E
- All proteins (protein powders) L-arginine, L-lysine, L-citrulline
- Muscle relaxants
- All blood pressure-lowering medications
- Nasal sprays
- All homeopathic remedies and sedatives
Days 2 to 10 after the treatment
You should not wear a cap or anything similar until the grafts are securely anchored in the tissue. With the help of our innovative treatment method at rehaar®, we strive to make the procedure as invisible as possible to the untrained eye. During the healing process, wound fluid forms, which encapsulates the grafts. To limit this process as much as possible, you should use the saline solution extensively and regularly.
Failure to adhere to this rule can cause the wound fluid to dry and adhere to a cap. This can happen very quickly, and when removing the cap, there is a risk that the adhered, crusted areas, including the freshly implanted grafts, will be pulled out as if with tweezers. These grafts are then no longer reusable for a subsequent transplantation attempt. In some cases, wearing a cap may be possible within the 10-day period, depending on the healing process and wound fluid production, after consultation with us.
Please refrain from visiting tanning salons or saunas.
You should bathe for 20 minutes, ideally twice a day, over the next 10 days.
Here’s how to proceed:
- Fill the bathtub with water at a comfortable temperature (optional: add bath additive).
- Use earplugs to prevent water from entering your ears (this helps avoid ear infections).
- Submerge your head repeatedly or keep it submerged under the water surface. Ensure that your mouth and nose are above the water surface for breathing, so that the implanted areas are completely surrounded by water.
- After about 20 minutes, mix some shampoo and water in a cup with your finger to create a solution.
- Pour this solution over your head and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with several cups of clean water.
- After bathing and drying, continue to spray your head with saline solution and let it air dry.
- Avoid letting towels or anything else touch your head.
- Ideally, repeat this procedure twice daily for the next ten days.
Day 11 after the treatment
Congratulations, you have now successfully completed the most important measures after the procedure!
Today, the crusts will be loosened.
Instructions for bathing
For the first 15 minutes, immerse the transplanted areas beneath the water surface. Once the crusts have softened due to the water, gently shampoo the transplanted areas with circular motions, applying light pressure. This process helps to loosen most of the crusts. Important note: Some hairs may also come loose along with the crusts. This is a normal process because the newly transplanted stem cells, or grafts, ensure the growth of new hair. Finally, thoroughly rinse your head with clear water.
Please note: Do not attempt to remove any formed crusts yourself, and under no circumstances should you scratch the areas!
In the following days, while shampooing, gradually increase the pressure of the massage so that all crusts disappear after 13 to 14 days. You may use a towel to dry your hair, but do not rub it against your scalp.
Further Important Information
If swelling occurs, you can reduce it by positioning your head slightly elevated (45°) during sleep until the swelling subsides.
Please ensure adequate hydration, go for walks, and spend time primarily in well-ventilated and cool areas. Heat and stress can promote swelling.
The newly implanted hairs typically shed as planned after three to four weeks. Please note: Yellow or white tissue is often present at the top edge, and the hairs may resemble hockey sticks.
This is not the stem cells, as they can only detach in conjunction with bleeding. Redness at the recipient site and uneven skin areas are normal and may persist longer depending on skin type.
The healing process will accelerate over time.
During the first week, all sports activities are prohibited. From the second week onwards, you may engage in non-contact sports such as jogging or cycling.
However, it is advisable to avoid intense sweating, as it may lead to inflammation in the transplanted areas. All contact sports, such as boxing or weightlifting, are prohibited for the first 2 weeks.
Light sweating is acceptable, and you can bathe or shower cautiously following the postoperative schedule.
After three to six months, the newly transplanted hairs, initially very fine, begin to grow. Over time, the new hairs gradually adopt characteristics similar to the original ones.
Please note: During this period, it’s important to be patient and try to focus less on the hair, as visible results typically appear after 12 months.
Additionally, please be aware that cysts may develop in the newly implanted areas during this time. This occurs when hairs grow inward, causing infection in the area. These infections may appear similar to pustules. Such infections must be treated promptly.
Here’s how to treat the affected areas:
Gently cleanse the areas with a disinfectant soap containing iodine. Then, using a sterile injection needle, carefully open the cysts. Avoid applying excessive pressure to the area and only work on it until some blood is visible. Carefully pull out the hair with the needle to allow it to continue growing. Afterward, clean the treated area with saline solution.
Over the next two weeks, it’s important to take care of your head. This period is critical because the implanted grafts may still be fragile.
Avoid any impact or trauma to your head, and protect the transplanted area from direct sunlight for the first 4 months, especially if exposure exceeds 30 minutes. If necessary, shield the areas with headwear such as a hat or cap.
Especially during the first two to three weeks, the donor areas may be sensitive and cause discomfort, particularly at night. Common pain relievers are permitted as needed and tolerated.
You can visit a hairdresser two weeks after the treatment.
When using hair dye, use products that are particularly gentle on the skin.
Perms, straightening treatments, braiding, pore-clogging hair fibers, attaching foreign hair, or any other actions that may cause mechanical hair loss can damage the transplanted hairs and lead to total loss.
Contact us now
If you’re interested in hair reconstruction, reach out to us through the contact form, and we’ll find a solution together.