Sleeping after hair transplant

As more and more people are opting for the hair transplant treatment, it becomes extremely important to know about the sleeping techniques and postures post the treatment. Post procedure, doctors usually suggest patients to sleep on their sides and not sleep flat on their backs.

• The scalp is much more sensitive post the hair transplant and sleeping flat on our backs can lead to swelling. It might disturb your sleep but it is better to maintain caution than suffer from later stage hassles.
• Fixed sleeping pattern should be followed for three to four nights only and has to be followed right from the first sitting onwards.
• Following a proper sleeping pattern is essential in order to maintain the newly transplanted hair and allow it to settle into the scalp.

• A patient would always know that the hair has been artificially transplanted and is in a state of swelling and pain. The body does register the pain as it is unusual to hurt ourselves while we are sleeping. This is where the subconscious mind takes over.
• Keep a pillow upright on the end of the bed where your head is placed. This is meant to prevent your head from bumping into the wooden panel and hurting your head while you are asleep.

Still, some people do have strange ways of sleeping and which can considerably affect the grafted area and spoil the dressing. If you are wondering why doctors abstain from bandaging the scalp, know that it leads to blockage of venous and lymphatic drainage of the scalp. A common spray called Grafcyte is sprayed on the patient’s head right after the surgery which helps in healing the transplanted area. So do not insist on a dressing. Let your doctor decide on what needs to be done. At times, bandaging is also avoided to prevent the follicles from sticking to the covering.

The fluids accumulated in the hair follicles during the surgery must drain and therefore, proper pillow support on all the sides and under the head is important. Swelling occurs only when there is fluid retention in the scalp. One must also remember that proper sleeping pattern can reduce the chances of swelling but cannot totally prevent it. Frequent tossing and turning while sleeping can also cause the fluid to stay inside the follicles. The trick is to ensure that the grafted area is placed on the pillow comfortably. Do not freak out! There are medicines available in the market that can help reduce the swelling such as Valium. Consult your doctor in case of any untoward developments on your scalp.