When can I go back to work after a hair transplant?

In most cases, hair transplants do not require a long recovery time and patients can return to their normal routine within a couple of days. Most doctors recommend returning to work after 10 to 14 days at most. 

However, your recovery time can be more or less, depending on a few factors including: 

Type of Work

One of the most important factors to consider is the nature of your work. If you work from the comfort of your own home, you can easily start working within a day or two of the hair transplant. However, it is advisable to take at least a few days off before you return to work. This gives you enough time to heal so the newly implanted hair is not fragile and easily disturbed.

On the other hand, if you work in an office, you might want to wait until one whole week or more to resume work, especially if you do not want your colleagues to notice signs of a hair transplant. This is because it takes around seven days for the redness and scabbing to subside. 

In case your job is physically demanding and requires manual labor, your doctor will most likely recommend a leave of two weeks. Strenuous physical activity too soon after a hair transplant can damage the newly inserted grafts. 

Hair Transplant Technique

FUE and FUT are two of the most common hair transplant techniques. While they both result in scabbing and redness right after the procedure, they do have one major difference. FUT transplants are more invasive and leave a visible scar that needs a longer recovery time.

So, if you have opted for a FUT transplant, you might have to wait for your scar to heal before you can return to work. Meanwhile, FUE transplants have faster recovery times so you can return to work a lot sooner.

Returning to the office after a hair transplant can feel a bit uncomfortable if you are not used to your new hair. Some patients may also worry about damaging their new hair transplant results or getting side effects. 

Here are some tips to help you return to work happily and safely without any nervousness:

• Take time to rest and recover properly, do not rush yourself!
• Make sure to follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions.
• Do not skip the spray and medication recommended by your doctor.
• Wear a cap if you still feel like your transplant needs protection.
• Try to take it easy for a few weeks after the transplant.
• Avoid direct exposure to sunlight for at least two weeks.
• Do not wear tightly fitted headwear until two weeks after the surgery.
• Work from home if possible to feel more comfortable.
• Be proud of your hair transformation!

It can take some time for patients to feel comfortable with their hair transformation. That is why many people are hesitant to come under scrutiny once they return to work. If you do not want your colleagues to notice the changes, you need to conceal the following signs that can give you away:

Shaved Hair: An FUE procedure requires you to shave the back and sides of your head. It may take 7 to 10 days for your hair to grow back to its normal length. Waiting for a week or more before you return to work can help you hide your new hair transplant better.

Scabbing: You will notice small scabs in the newly transplanted region during the first few days after the transplant. These scabs will gradually wash away as you start washing your head from the 5th day after the procedure. After one week or more, you will notice that these scabs have disappeared entirely. Naturally, scabbing on your scalp can be an immediate giveaway so it is better to wait a week before returning to work.

Redness and Swelling: Apart from scabbing, there will be noticeable redness and swelling on the scalp after a hair transplant procedure. This is because the tiny cuts made for inserting hair grafts need time to heal. It may be more visible if you have lighter-colored skin and may take anywhere from 10 to 14 days to subside. In some cases, it can last six to eight weeks after the procedure. You can use a protective cap or pieces of unshaven hair to conceal the redness left by the hair transplant.