Are you planning on getting an FUE hair transplant surgery, and are you wondering when you can return to work after the procedure? Well, there’s no straightforward answer to this, as the answer varies from person to person and depends on many factors.
Hair transplants are considered one of the most effective methods for hair restoration. However, not everyone can resume work immediately after the surgery. Some people will need to take some time off work.
If you or a loved one just had a hair transplant and you’re concerned about when you can resume work, then keep reading this post.
What is Hair Transplanting?
Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure used to move healthy hair from one part of the head to another area. The part where the hair is removed from is called the donor area, and the part where it is being inserted is called the recipient area. The transplanted hairs are designed to look natural and blend well with the host’s existing hair, providing a permanent solution for hair loss and regrowth.
Hair transplantation can be performed on men and women who have lost most or all of their hair due to the following reasons:
- Alopecia areata (patchy baldness)
- Dystrophy (a progressive disease of the hair follicles that causes hair loss)
- Other conditions, such as scarring, skin cancer, and scalp infections
Factors to Consider Before You Resume Work After a Hair Transplant
Just before you go back to work, there are certain factors you should consider. If you’re a remote worker, then you can get back to work the next day. However, if your work requires you to be physically present, then you should wait for about five to ten days.
If the latter is your case, you should also consider the following factors.
The Type of Work You Do
A hair transplant requires you to keep your head away from direct exposure to sunlight, as this can lead to sunburn and destroy the implanted hairs. Therefore, if your work requires you to stay under the sun, you should consider taking a two-week break after the surgery.
Wearing tightly fitted caps can also damage the new hair implants; hence it’s advisable to resume work after two weeks if your work requires you to wear tight hats or face caps.
How Long After Hair Transplant is Grafts Secure?
The first five days after a hair transplant are crucial to the success of the surgery. This is because the new hair settles into the scalp at this stage. Hence, it’s best to avoid any form of physical labor, as a slight touch can dislodge the hair. It’s also important to take about 10 days off work to give the new hair enough time to settle in the scalp.
How to Conceal a Hair Transplant
Most people, especially the overly conscious ones, prefer to hide their hair transplants from people. If you care so much about what people would say, then you may want to wait for about two weeks before resuming work.
Importantly, the following reasons will easily make people notice you had a hair transplant:
- Redness in the donor and recipient areas
- Short haircut on the back and sides
- Small scabs in the newly implanted area
However, if you wish to resume work as soon as possible, you can go for an unshaven hair transplant treatment.
Tips For Returning To Work After Hair Transplant
Resuming work after a hair transplant can be stressful and tiring. You should consider working from home if possible. However, if you must appear physically, the following tips will help you:
- Stay away from hard labor as much as possible for about 14 days.
- Use your off-work days effectively by taking adequate rest.
- Protect your hair graft by wearing a hat.
- Let someone in your workplace be aware of your hair transplant surgery.
- Follow the surgeon’s aftercare instructions adequately.
No matter what kind of procedure you’re going through, putting your career on hold is never an easy decision. But in the case of a hair transplant, you must allow yourself ample recovery time to watch for new growth and any differences in hair texture. If you can delay for an extra week or two to ensure that everything goes smoothly at home, the payoff in results will be worth it. You can also discuss your concerns with your consultant to get different treatment options that suit your working environment and general needs.
