Find out whether it is possible or advisable to have a hair transplant in summer and what postoperative care is required during the warmer months.
In general, surgical procedures that are neither urgent nor essential are often avoided during the summer, not because they are clinically contraindicated or because of difficulties with the surgical technique itself. The reason elective procedures may be less convenient at this time of year is the postoperative period during the hottest months, particularly when patients need to wear compression garments or dressings or require regular wound care.
With this in mind, we asked our dermatologists expert in hair disorders to answer one of the most common questions about undergoing a hair transplant during the summer.
Is it possible to have a hair transplant in summer?
Summer can be just as suitable a time as any other to undergo a hair transplant. In fact, from this perspective, it can be easier to manage than some other surgical procedures performed in other units at Grupo Pedro Jaén. For many people, it can be a particularly convenient time because the procedure can be scheduled to coincide with summer holidays, making it easier to follow postoperative instructions and manage any temporary discomfort. However, there are a number of points to bear in mind.
Healing after a hair transplant in summer
The healing process is an important factor in the outcome of any surgical procedure, as it influences the risk of infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation and the development of keloids — raised scars that can differ noticeably in colour from the surrounding skin.
When it comes specifically to hair transplantation in summer, it is important during the healing process to ensure that the transplanted follicles remain adequately hydrated. Otherwise, they may be damaged and shed. Summer heat can increase dehydration and may also cause itching as a result of greater sweating.
This combination of factors may affect the survival of some transplanted follicles. To help reduce this problem, thermal water can be sprayed onto the treated area approximately every 90 minutes to two hours.
Take care with sun exposure after a hair transplant
Dermatologists emphasise the importance of sun protection throughout the year and of avoiding direct exposure during the middle of the day. After a hair transplant, these precautions are particularly important.
Direct sun exposure should be avoided, especially during the middle of the day, both to reduce dehydration of the transplanted follicles and to prevent sunburn of the scalp. Sunburn after a hair transplant may compromise transplanted follicles and can also lead to scarring. Depending on the type and extent of the scar, this may make a subsequent corrective procedure more difficult. For this reason, particular care should be taken to prevent sunburn throughout the first year after surgery.
One of the best ways to protect the scalp is to wear caps or hats once 15 days have passed since the procedure. Wearing them before this point may damage the micrografts through friction.
Can I go to the beach after a hair transplant?
Going to the beach shortly after a hair transplant may not be particularly comfortable because of the heat, sun exposure and sweating, but it is not necessarily contraindicated. However, after undergoing a hair transplant, it is generally advisable to wait around two weeks before going to the beach and swimming in the sea normally. Sun protection for the scalp should always be maintained to help protect the transplanted hair during the recovery period.
Can I swim in a pool after a hair transplant?
Many patients assume that swimming pools carry fewer risks than the beach after undergoing a hair transplant in summer. However, the recommended waiting period before swimming in a pool is similar: approximately two weeks. Even when pool water is appropriately chlorinated, microorganisms may still be present and could complicate postoperative recovery. In addition, chlorine is an irritant and may be too aggressive for a recently operated scalp.
After a hair transplant, do not stop your treatment
This recommendation is not specific to summer, but it is important to remember. A hair transplant does not cure alopecia. After a hair transplant, patients should continue the medical treatment prescribed by their dermatologist expert in hair disorders in order to maintain the non-transplanted hair. If medical treatment is discontinued after the transplant, the patient may progressively lose density in the non-transplanted hair and, over time, may find that the underlying alopecia continues to progress.
Post updated. First version published on 26 July 2022.
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