Patience is a virtue. You might have patience at the doctor’s office or with your family, but waiting for your hair to grow back is often easier said than done.
Have you undergone hair transplant surgery? Congrats — the hard part is done. You don’t have to wait; you can take action right now to nourish healthy hair growth faster than ever.
Located in Marina District, San Francisco, Hair Doc uses hair transplants to transform the look of patients who want to replenish their hairline for the ultimate confidence boost. Read on to discover what’s involved in treatment and how you can maximize your results.
Receding temples. Elongated forehead. Balding crown. These are just a few of the ways people experience hair loss. Hair loss may be hard to face, but it’s a common and normal part of aging. Hair loss doesn’t affect your health, but if you wish to improve your hairline for a more desirable appearance, we are here to help.
Hair transplants have been around since the 1950s, but technological advances have allowed them to provide the most natural-looking — and feeling — results today. Our transplants are performed by award-winning surgeon Peter Panagotacos, MD, and Aaron Chen, DO.
The procedure involves creating incisions in your scalp to extract hair from areas where you have robust growth — usually the lower back of the head. On average, 1-2,000 hair grafts are created from the samples and implanted in your hair, using small microincisions in your scalp in places you’re seeking hair growth — like the crown, temples, and frontal hairline.
Hair transplants provide miraculous results, but they don’t happen overnight. Most patients experience new hair growth around 3-4 months, with results peaking at around one year. You don’t have to sit and wait for your results; be proactive to improve them. Here’s how.
Eating a balanced diet is good for your health and hairline. After your surgery, be sure to consume a diet composed of minerals, vitamins, and proteins.
This is especially important when consuming foods rich in vitamin D, such as fish, walnuts, red meat, eggs, and chia seeds. Iron-rich foods like spinach and beans can help oxygenate follicles and promote proper healing.
Hair “shock loss” in our office rarely occurs but may occur after surgery and refers to hair loss caused by the trauma of surgery. It is usually experienced in the first two months following your procedure.
It’s important to note that this is temporary, and the hair will grow back. Eating a nutritious diet decreases the chance of shock loss, so be sure to fuel your body well.
Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but we advise you to take it easy after your procedure. Strenuous physical activity creates sweat which is a breeding ground for bacteria and can inhibit your new hair growth. Not to mention, excessive activity in the beginning recovery phase can increase the chance of shock loss.
Please wait seven days to perform light exercises like walking and biking and refrain from working up a sweat. After two weeks, you can resume all physical activity, including weight lifting and running.
Topical Minoxidil, also known as Rogaine®, is a powerful topical treatment for androgenic alopecia and other types of hair loss. The medication works by increasing blood flow to the blood vessels located in your scalp while supplying them with the improved oxygen and nutrients needed for healthy hair flow. Our in-office, specially formulated topical minoxidil lotions not only have minoxidil but prescription strength medications designed to prevent scarring of the changing hairs as well as prevent DHT from telling them to age and die. Low-dose oral minoxidil has side effects that are not worth the risk as topical minoxidil is as effective.
You might have used minoxidil before undergoing hair transplant surgery, but it’s important to continue using it after because it:
Dr. Panagotacos and Dr. Chen usually advise patients to stop applying minoxidil 5 days before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding. You must get their approval after surgery before you can start medication again, which will be approximately 10 days. However, minoxidil is one of the best ways to expedite your results, with many patients seeing hair growth around the three-month mark.
You don’t just have to wait for your hair results; make healthy changes today to improve your hairline. Call 415-907-7354 for more information or book online.
