Dr. Niraj Goenka

Are you planning on undergoing hair transplantation because of extensive hair loss? A hair transplantation surgery is effective in making up your lost hair, but there are several facts you should know before undergoing the procedure. There are certain strict do’s and don’ts associated with hair transplantation, both before and after the process.

Before hair transplantation
Do's

• Wash your hair well before the surgery day on the morning of the surgery.
• Wear clothes which do not need to be pulled off over your head after the surgery.
• Arrange for transportation for going back home.

Don’ts

• Do not take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines for seven days before the procedure.
• Do not consume alcohol, take vitamin B, E supplements for seven days before the surgery.
• Do not smoke for three days before, and on the day of the surgery.

After hair transplantation

Do’s

• Remember all instructions given by the surgeon for care after the procedure. Although there are general guides for care, you should listen to your surgeon and his guidelines.
• Try keeping your scalp dry on the first day after transplantation, which enables your skin to heal.
• Keep your scalp clean during the recovery process. Soreness and numbness may be felt, and you should not put anything on your scalp that may cause side effects.
• Take proper care of your scar. Scarring and itching are likely and you should deal with these using topical creams prescribed by your surgeon.
• You may take painkiller medications to ease discomfort and pain, three to four hours after the procedure.

Don’ts

• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight immediately after the hair transplantation, and also for the next few days.
• Avoid touching or fidgeting with your grafted scalp. Picking and rubbing your sore scalp may cause the new grafts to fall out before getting the chance to grow.
• Do not take alcohol for the first five days after the hair transplantation procedure.
• Abstain from smoking for one month after the procedure as it disrupts the flow of blood to your hair follicles.
• Do not involve yourself in any form of sports activity or exercise right after the procedure. You may resume working out after a period of ten days, and you must wait for one month to get back to other physical activities and sports.
• Avoid engaging in activities which result in intense sweating. Sweating enhances the risk of infections to your grafted scalp. You should also avoid steam baths or sauna treatments for one month after the procedure.

In case you are a diabetic, you need to talk to your surgeon about ways of handling your diet and insulin management, before and on the day of the hair transplantation procedure.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

PRP is a latest, state of the art technology that employs non-surgical methods to stimulate hair growth in case of hair loss. Advancements in research have enabled scientists to make new inroads in the field of wound and tissue healing. The result of these researches is PRP, which is a natural way to rejuvenate your scalp, skin and stimulate your hair growth.

How does PRP work? 
The presence of mesenchymal stem cells and autologous blood products in human blood contain specific growth factors that assist in tissue regeneration and healing. PRP has been used to heal skin and wounds for over two decades now. Apart from this it finds use in oral surgery, cosmetic surgery and neurosurgery as well. It is also the promising treatment to promote hair growth.

Benefits:

1. It is a progressive healing treatment that doesn't require surgery.
2. Simple, rapid and highly effective system.
3. Autologous (from patient's own blood).
4. The system is biocompatible and xeno-free, so there shouldn't be any safety concerns.
5. Increase in the concentration of platelets can be observed.
6. It helps in the elimination of undesired erythrocytes, which significantly decrease the fibroblast proliferation.
7. Contains growth factors that help in the stimulation of growth of the hair follicles.
8. Can be performed preoperatively, intraoperatively, or post operatively.

The Science of PRP 
There are special cells called platelets used in PRP, that have been theoretically proved to stimulate hair follicles growth by stimulating stem cells and other important cells in the ecosystem of the follicles. They are instrumental in promoting the healing ability and regeneration of cells, formation of new cells and response to injury. PRP stimulates inactive or newly implanted hair follicles, and makes them active by inducing them into a growth phase.

Platelets are known to contain various structures, which are crucial for blood clotting and cell regeneration, and are released during the repair process by the body. Some of these structures are: glycogen, alpha granules and lysosomes.

Who should not go for PRP Treatment?

Those with heavy drug and smoking issue should avoid PRP. Also those who drink a lot of alcohol should avoid PRP. Those suffering from platelets related ailments, sepsis, chronic liver disease, thrombocytopenia, hyperfibrinogenemia, systemic disorders and cancer should also stay away from PRP.

Conclusion

At length, PRP is a boon for all those who aren't fans of surgery or the ones who prefer a more aggressive but non-surgical approach for treatment to their ailments. The results might vary from patient to patient, but it is certainly one of the most promising technologies to stimulate hair growth and rejuvenate your skin, and the results are quite convincing. So decide wisely!

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!