Returning to Work After a Hair Transplant
The decision to go back to work following a hair transplant surgery depends on how self-conscious a patient may feel about co-workers knowing that he or she had this procedure. Are you excited to show off the steps you are taking to treat hair loss? Alternatively, would you rather no one know? One of the first questions patients ask about during their hair loss consultation is when they can go back to work.
Returning to work after a hair transplantation can vary with each patient and the harvesting technique used. With the traditional strip harvesting technique, if you are able to wear a hat to your job, then good news, you COULD return to work the next day. However, if you are not able to wear a hat to work and prefer not to have co-workers know that you had a hair transplant, we recommend being off work 4-10 days, depending on your skin type and how fast your skin heals.
If you are considering the FUE (follicular unit excision) hair transplant technique, the donor area is shaved very close to the scalp. With this method, post-op visibility in the donor area is typically minimized around 5 to 10 days. The recipient area heals the same regardless if you are having an FUE or traditional hair transplant. If you do not feel comfortable wearing a hat to camouflage the donor site and recipient area after your FUE procedure, then we also recommend being off work for approximately 7 days.
For best results and faster recovery, follow our post-operative instructions and take advantage of coming into our office the day after surgery to have your hair washed by our trained technicians.
We know how important it is for our patients to have a realistic timetable on when they can return to work. Our entire team will assist you with the proper expectations from the moment you come in for the consultation until your first day back at work after your hair transplant procedure!