How to prepare before a hair transplant
To optimise your results, follow these pre-op instructions in the days before surgery. Your Luna Clinic advisor helps you get organised, while all clinical decisions remain with your independent partner surgeon.
- Understand how pricing works. The cost of the procedure is based on the technique, not the number of grafts. Changes in graft numbers will not affect the price you were quoted.
- Medicines and supplements before surgery. One week before surgery, avoid alcohol, garlic, strong spices, energy drinks, high-dose vitamins and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding. Over-the-counter aspirin and ibuprofen do the same, so ask your surgeon whether to pause them, and ask about minoxidil-based products too. If aspirin or any blood-thinning medicine was prescribed to you, do not stop it unless the clinician who prescribed it tells you to. Paracetamol is usually acceptable.
- Tell us about your health and medications. Inform us about any medications, illnesses, allergies or recreational drugs you use, as they may interact with the anaesthesia.
- Reduce smoking around your surgery. Try to reduce smoking for a few days before and after the surgery to support healing.
- Prepare for the day itself. Wear comfortable clothes, wash your hair on or before the day of surgery, and eat a light meal beforehand.
- Avoid strong caffeine on the morning. Avoid strong caffeine drinks or foods on the morning of surgery to minimise the risk of bleeding, and contact us with any questions to ease your concerns.
What to have ready for your hair transplant
Having a few essentials prepared makes your treatment day and recovery easier.
- A full list of your current medications, illnesses and allergies.
- Comfortable, loose clothing that does not need to go over your head.
- A baseball cap or loose hat (avoid tight-fitting or wooly hats).
- Paracetamol, if you use it and your surgeon has asked you to pause aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Your travel documents and Luna Clinic coordination details.
One week before surgery, avoid alcohol, garlic, strong spices, energy drinks, high-dose vitamins and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding. Over-the-counter aspirin and ibuprofen do the same, so ask your surgeon whether to pause them, and ask about minoxidil-based products too. If aspirin or any blood-thinning medicine was prescribed to you, do not stop it unless the clinician who prescribed it tells you to. Paracetamol is usually acceptable.
What to expect on and just after the day
On the day of your procedure and in the first hours afterwards, keep the following in mind:
- After surgery you may wear a baseball cap or loose hat, but avoid tight-fitting or wooly hats. Your team will show you how to wear it safely without disturbing the grafts.
- Once the local anaesthesia wears off, the donor area may feel tight and sore. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours for the first 24 to 48 hours to manage discomfort.
- Avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours to prevent bleeding.
- If you notice slight bleeding from the donor site, apply pressure for about 5 minutes with a clean swab.
Recovery and aftercare
The donor area may bleed slightly due to the extraction process. Follow these aftercare steps to protect your grafts and support healing:
- Use dressing and compression to manage bleeding. If scabs form, gently dab the area with clean tissue.
- Wash the donor area with baby shampoo 3 to 4 days after surgery, using a towel to absorb any blood.
- Avoid washing your hair in the shower for the first 4 days to prevent dislodging the follicles.
- For the first 7 to 10 days, be gentle with the transplanted area and avoid scratching, rubbing or picking at the grafts.
- For the first 2 weeks, keep your scalp out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Do not wear headgear for two weeks after surgery to protect the grafts.
- If you go outside, wear a loose-fitting hat or headscarf to shield your scalp from the sun.
- Avoid intense physical activity or exercise that may cause sweating for one week.
- Refrain from smoking and alcohol for at least a week to promote healing.
- The recipient area may show some inflammation. Take prednisone as directed by your doctor, and report any steroids you take to your doctor.
- Use the sterile water provided to keep the grafts moist for the first 48 hours to support healing.
Be patient, as results can take several months to become visible. Follow up with your doctor to monitor healing and support the best possible outcome.