If you are considering having hair restoration surgery or have recently had a procedure performed, your surgeon most likely stated some precautions that you should take so that the process is successful. You are going to experience a normal amount of “shock loss” wherein the transplanted hair will fall out once the restoration procedure has been performed. This is a normal part of the hair restoration process when surgery is done to correct any balding or thinning condition, so there is no cause for alarm.
However, the consumption of certain products can have a negative impact on the overall hair restoration process. You need to be aware of the potential effects that alcohol, herbal products, medications, and tobacco on the procedure and the negative consequences that you could be subject to when using these after your surgery. The following information will give you an idea of the risk factors involved.
Alcohol consumption – drinking any alcoholic before increases the chances of excessive bleeding after the hair restoration surgery has been performed because it impairs the clotting of blood in the body. This risk of bleeding is increased within a couple of hours of drinking alcohol so your surgeon will tell you to avoid drinking any for several weeks.
Herbal products – these can cross-react with other prescription medications that you may be taking during the hair restoration post-operative period. As with alcohol, this may also increase the risk of excessive bleeding. It is advisable that if you are taking any that you consult with the surgeon prior to having the procedure performed.
Prescription medications – whether you are taking these legally or recreationally, there are numerous medications that increase the risk of bleeding. This also applies to certain OTC (Over-the-Counter) medications as well. These can cross-react with herbal products and even vitamin supplements as well, so you should avoid taking any of these for a while prior to and after the hair restoration procedure is performed.
Tobacco smoking – aside from the risks of certain cancers, the effects of long-term tobacco smoking can be devastating anyway. Don’t be surprised if the hair restoration surgeon tells you to quit smoking weeks prior to and weeks after the surgery has been performed. As a heavy smoker, you will no doubt have difficulty doing this but just remember that your health is at stake and smoking increases the risk for excessive bleeding occurring after the surgery has been done.
