9 things no one tells you about
How to Sleep After a Hair Transplant
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1. Invest in a Quality Neck Pillow
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You need one. Seriously.
A supportive neck pillow helps keep your head elevated and prevents unnecessary pressure on your newly transplanted grafts.
Whether you’re recovering from a hairline or crown transplant, a neck pillow will be your best friend in those first critical nights.
Cem’s Pro Tip: Who says you need an expensive pillow? After testing different options, the best neck pillow he found for hair transplant recovery is the Cabeau Evolution Classic Neck Support Pillow on Amazon. It provides the perfect balance of support and comfort, keeping your head stable while you sleep.
2. Mastering the Right Sleeping Position
Common Concern: What if I accidentally turn in my sleep? Try placing extra pillows around you to prevent movement or sleeping in a recliner for the first few nights.
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3. Protective Pillow Covers
4. Beat the Swelling
5. The Semi-Sitting Position
6. How to deal with itching
Avoid rubbing or scratching: It’s natural to feel some itching or sensitivity on the scalp after your hair transplant. However, it’s essential to avoid rubbing or scratching the transplanted area, even if you feel discomfort. Why? Because any direct contact with the grafts can dislodge them or increase the risk of infection.
7. A gentle barrier
Avoid turning over: Turning during your sleep, even if it’s accidental, can easily put pressure on the grafts, potentially causing them to dislodge. To help prevent this, (and in addition to sleeping with a neck pillow), consider placing pillows or rolled towels around your body to act as a gentle barrier, which will help you stay on your back and in an elevated position.
8. Hydration in moderation
Staying hydrated is important for healing, as water supports the body’s natural recovery processes. However, drinking too much water right before bed can lead to poor fluid drainage and frequent bathroom trips. To avoid disrupting your sleep, make sure to drink water throughout the day, gradually reducing your intake as you get closer to bedtime.
9. managing pain
Mild discomfort and soreness are common in the first few days following a hair transplant. Your surgeon will prescribe medication to help alleviate any pain. Additionally, you can use cooling compresses to reduce swelling and provide relief from discomfort.
When Can I Sleep Normally Again?
As part of your aftercare, your surgeon will give you specific guidance on sleeping positions to protect your newly transplanted hair and promote healing. For the first week, it’s essential to sleep with your head elevated to safeguard the transplanted follicles and support recovery.
Around 10 days after the procedure, it’s typically safe to begin sleeping on your side, and after two weeks, you can gradually return to stomach sleeping if that’s your preference. Just be mindful to avoid putting too much pressure on the donor area. Each graft is valuable, and following these precautions is key to ensuring a successful hair transplant outcome.
Tip: Even after 10 days, avoid putting excessive pressure on the grafts to ensure the best healing outcome. Read more about hair transplant aftercare in our complete guide.
On sleep and science
Quality sleep is vital for recovery after a hair transplant, as it significantly impacts the body’s healing capabilities. Research shows that insufficient sleep can hinder recovery processes, while good sleep hygiene promotes optimal healing:
- Sleep and Healing: A study published in Sleep Medical Review highlighted the correlation between sleep quality and physical health outcomes, noting that adequate sleep enhances the body’s ability to heal after surgical procedures. This underscores the importance of prioritizing sleep post-surgery.
- Sleep Disruption and Recovery: Research from 2021 found that poor sleep quality can lead to increased pain and delayed recovery in surgical patients. This reinforces the need for effective sleep hygiene practices during the post-operative period.
- Sleep and Immune Function: A study in the European Journal of Physiology demonstrated that sleep plays a crucial role in immune function, which is critical for recovery after surgery. Poor sleep can weaken the immune response, making it harder for the body to heal.
Sleep Smart & Heal Faster
FAQ: How to Sleep After a Hair Transplant
The best position to sleep in after a hair transplant is on your back, with your head elevated at about a 45-degree angle. This helps protect the transplanted grafts, reduces swelling, and encourages optimal healing during the recovery period.
Sleeping with a neck pillow helps maintain an elevated position for your head, which is crucial in the first days following the transplant. This position reduces swelling and minimizes the risk of accidental contact with the grafts, promoting better healing.
You can generally start sleeping on your side about 10 days after the procedure. However, it’s essential to avoid putting pressure directly on the transplanted area during this time to ensure the grafts remain secure.
You can gradually return to sleeping on your stomach approximately two weeks after the hair transplant. It’s important to make this transition carefully and to be mindful of any pressure on the donor area.
Most patients begin to feel a return to normal sensation in the scalp around 2 to 4 weeks post-surgery. However, some sensitivity or mild discomfort may persist for a few weeks longer, depending on individual healing.
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Sources & expertise
We have used the following sources to compile this page:
Information checked by an expert
Alona Arel
The information on this page is checked by Alona Arel. She’s an expert on beauty and longevity and often asked to share her knowledge. For example for Healthline and Lifehacker.
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