While stress can sometimes provide you with the drive you need to get things done, it mostly just has negative effects on the body, particularly if you are stressed out for prolonged periods of time. From panic attacks and weight gain to hair loss, stress can really do a number on your health and wellbeing.
If you are currently experiencing a lot of stress in your life, it’s only natural to wonder whether it will end up affecting the results of your hair transplant, particularly if you’re going to be spending a sizeable amount of money on it.
It’s important to remember that you will experience some hair loss after your transplant. This is a natural part of the healing process and not something to be alarmed about following your procedure.
Even though most hair transplant specialists agree that stress doesn’t have a direct impact on transplanted hair, there are other aspects that are linked to feeling stressed that could indirectly impact your results.
Be Honest with Your Surgeon
Being honest with your hair loss specialist right from the beginning is the first step to achieving the best possible hair transplant results. When you’re discussing your hair loss treatment options during your consultation, be honest with your surgeon about your lifestyle habits as they can affect your results.
Heavy smoking is one example of a lifestyle habit that can indirectly affect the results of your hair transplant. Everyone knows that smoking affects your blood circulation, which means that blood flow to your scalp will be affected too. Your new hair grafts need a healthy supply of blood to take root and thrive and smoking can hamper this process.
Excess alcohol consumption can also negatively affect the blood clotting process because it thins the blood. The same applies to medications and herbal medications – one of your supplements could alter the results of your surgery, which is why it’s necessary to discuss everything with your surgeon. Your surgeon may prescribe medication after your surgery too, so it’s important for him to know if you’re taking anything that may interfere with the prescription.
This is not to say that you need to stop smoking and drinking but limiting your intake will certainly increase your chances of having a positive hair transplant experience.
Practice Stress Management
Even though stress doesn’t have a direct impact on your hair transplant results, it does affect your mental state, which often has a knock-on effect on your physical health.
Stress definitely has its place in certain situations but excessive stress is never good for your mental and physical health over the long term. In the month leading up to your surgery, try adopting a few stress management techniques that can help lower your stress levels. Deep breathing, a new exercise routine and simply taking time to relax can all help enhance your hair transplant results. Limiting your alcohol intake and the number of cigarettes you smoke can also go a long way in helping you manage your stress.