Sun Exposure and Sweating: Summer Rules After a Hair Transplant
Planning a transplant in the summer? Discover why UV rays are the enemy of new grafts and how long you must wait before hitting the beach.
The Risk of UV Rays Post-Surgery
Many patients combine their hair transplant trip with a summer holiday, especially when traveling to Mediterranean countries like Turkey. However, exposing your newly operated scalp to direct sunlight is a critical mistake that can jeopardize your entire investment.
Why is the Sun Dangerous?
After a transplant, your scalp is basically healing from thousands of micro-wounds.
- Hyperpigmentation: UV rays stimulate melanin production. If fresh incisions are exposed to the sun, the skin can heal with permanent dark spots (hyperpigmentation), leaving a spotted, unnatural look on the scalp.
- Damage to Grafts: The new hair follicles are vulnerable. Severe sunburn penetrates deep into the epidermis and can literally kill the newly implanted roots before they have a chance to anchor and grow.
When Can You Go in the Sun?
You must avoid direct sunlight completely for the first 4 weeks. After the first 10 days (once scabs are gone), you can wear a loose-fitting bucket hat or fisherman hat when going outside. Baseball caps should be avoided initially as they rub tightly against the front hairline. As for the beach and swimming pools: absolutely no swimming for 4 weeks due to the risk of infection from bacteria in the sea and harsh chemicals like chlorine in pools.