Swelling can occur as a result of inflammation or oedema, which is the retention of fluids in a part of the body. The reason for swelling after a hair transplant is the injection of fluids under your skin during the surgery. It makes the surgical process easier for the surgeon. Moreover, it intends to prevent any harm to your head or veins through the tools used. The accumulation of this fluid is one reason behind swelling.
Inflammation resulting from an injury can also cause fluid buildup, resulting in swelling. Incisions made in the scalp are regarded as injuries in this case. There’s nothing to worry about, though, because swelling means that your body has already begun the healing process. As the blood flow to the wounded area increases, you can also expect pain and redness.
Swelling after a hair transplant is expected and normal. You might start worrying about the swelling thinking that it’s because the surgery went wrong. But that’s not the case at all. Your swelling will eventually go away. If you stress about it, you might just delay the process. So, you should relax and be patient.
The liquid injected under the skin might stay there for around 3-5 days. However, it can last for as long as a week, with swelling usually occurring in the forehead. If the swelling persists any longer than that, make sure to contact us immediately.
Following our aftercare instructions is necessary to speed up the recovery process. You can effectively deal with post-op swelling by doing a few things. First, for one week after the surgery, you need to be careful about your sleeping position. Lie down on your back at an angle of 45 degrees. Do not sleep on your forehead, in any case.
We will give you a headband to wear after the surgery. This will prevent the swelling from going down to your face as a result of gravity. You may wear the headband for 3-4 days.
You should also avoid leaning forward too much. Also, do not look down or bend down. You can ask someone around you for help. It is recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise soon after the surgery. They can make you feel sick.
To decrease swelling, you should drink lots of water as it can flush out the fluids accumulated in the body. Moreover, you should avoid salty foods. It can result in water retention due to the greater amount of sodium in the kidneys.
You can also make gentle cold compressions to your temporals. For that, you can use ice but wrap it in a cloth and don’t apply it directly to your skin.
Longevita will also provide you with medications to deal with swelling. Keep in mind that swelling after a hair transplant is part of the process, so it’s nothing to stress about.