12 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting a Hair Transplant

Lessons From Two Hair Transplants

Amit shares lessons from undergoing two hair transplants at Vera Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. His first procedure involved about 6,100 grafts for his hairline and mid-scalp. A year later, he had a second procedure with 4,000 grafts for his crown.

Before Surgery

1. Research the clinic and surgical team. Don’t rely only on before-and-after photos on clinic websites. Try to speak with former patients and learn about the surgeons who will perform the procedure and their work.

2. Prepare in advance. Amit recommends eating well and reducing smoking, alcohol, and caffeine before surgery. He suggests making changes early rather than at the last minute.

3. Be prepared for more than one procedure. With extensive hair loss, it may not be safe or practical to cover everything in one session. Amit needed a second transplant and advises setting realistic expectations.

4. Ask about medications before surgery. Amit says clinics may want to assess the scalp without hair-growth treatments. He mentions pausing minoxidil or finasteride beforehand, but any medication changes should be confirmed with the treating surgeon.

Early Recovery

1. Wash gently. Amit says the first 12 days are important for keeping the scalp clean. Follow the clinic’s washing instructions, even if touching the scalp feels intimidating.

2. Use moisturizer if recommended. Amit found that his scalp became dry during the first 12 days. He says the moisturizer provided by the clinic helped with dryness, redness, and flaking.

3. Expect possible shock loss. Amit experienced shedding around the third month and initially worried the transplant had failed. For him, this phase was temporary, and growth returned gradually.

Ongoing Care and Patience

1. Discuss ongoing hair-loss treatment with your clinician. Amit says finasteride may help preserve existing, non-transplanted hair, while minoxidil may support growth. He emphasizes consistent use and notes that finasteride can have side effects.

2. Be patient with your first haircut. Wait for the clinic’s recommended timeframe, explain the transplant to your barber, and ask for a cut that avoids exposing the donor area too much.

3. Consider supportive maintenance. Amit mentions vitamins, shampoos, and hair oils as possible additions to a routine. These may include vitamin B, zinc, iron, and B-complex, but he says they are not all essential and may suit people differently.

4. Prioritize consistency. Treatments and supplements may take at least six months to show changes, so an irregular routine is unlikely to help.

5. Document your progress. Take photos regularly—such as monthly during the first year—to compare changes and track growth over time.

People, Places, and Products Mentioned

• Speaker: Amit
• Clinic: Vera Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey
• Products and treatments: Minoxidil, finasteride, moisturizer, vitamins, shampoos, and hair oils