Shaved head and HT

[Highlander]

So since getting a shaved head is basically mandatory, what are some good ways to hide having had a HT without being a total recluse for a month?

My plan has been to get one done in Winter so I can just wear a beanie 24/7 and it won't look weird. Plus, being a student I can wear it indoors and outdoors no problems. But can you wear a beanie after a HT, or is it too tight? For Europeans, what would be the ideal time of year to get a HT? I guess there's always summer, and just wearing a loose fitting hat. But I would feel odd wearing a hat indoors all the time.

[chrisis]

I've got the same plan in mind. I want to try to take a month off work and hibernate as much as possible, then use beanies and hats when necessary.

I was told by Dr Feller it would be fine to wear a hat straight after the transplant, but personally I think a week or two allowing as much air getting to the skin would be better, to allow the skin to heal. I would also worry about constricting blood supply, so be wary of any that are too tight.

My workplace actually does not allow people to wear hats, but I'm hoping they'll make an exception in special circumstances. Heck, they allow Muslim hijabs and whatever else, and hair is practically a religion right? least it makes more sense.

[Marc Dauer, MD]

I'm not sure whether you both are planning to have FUT or FUE, but with FUT there is certainly no necessity to shave the entire head. To the contrary, I usually tell my patients to leave their hair a little longer prior to FUT so that it covers up the donor area completely and allows them to cover the initial crusts with their pre existing native hair. For FUE we do have to shave the entire donor region but not necessarily the recipient region, though most patients opt to shave their entire heads in order to have all the hair grow back at the same length. For the first 2 weeks after the procedure I prefer to have my patients wear a hat that does not touch the grafts. After 2 weeks a ski cap or tighter fitting cap is fine.

[gillenator]

Great advice given here. May I also point out that if the patient decides to wear a ball cap (most do) to cover the head, and you have strip, be sure that the band of the cap is not snug or tight against the sutures.

A looser size that does not aggrevate the sutures or rub on the grafts is usually recommended by many HT surgeons. Bandanas work great too

Once back at home or in privacy, try to not wear the cap at all, and just allow the air to circulate. Most docs will want their patients to keep the grafts moist as they heal, especially during the first 72 hours post-op.

Not long ago one guy told me in an email that he was wearing a pull over stocking cap post-op while he slept. IMHO, not a good idea.

Best wishes to you!

[Highlander]

The reason I want to get FUE is because FUT leaves the scar. I really don't want to have something like that on the back of my head - even if you claim it's subtle. At least with FUE the scarring is incredibly minor, and you can wear your hair super short without anyone telling. Where as all the FUT people here need to concern themselves with going beyond X guard to hide the scar.


To the two people who responded: Could you please tell me when wearing a beanie is suitable? I thought a loose beanie would be ok, but if not then I'll have to change my plan of action. Right now I've decided I'm going to take a few weeks off study, stock up on food, and bunker down in my house until the scarring goes away. If I could wear a beanie then I could start going outside much sooner.

[gillenator]

If you are planning/wanting to wear a beanie then I presume that you wish to cover the recipient area? And the grafts are primariliy going in the crown area where a beanie is worn?

If so, as long as the beanie is not rubbing against the grafts, you should be ok.

[Highlander]

Grafts would be going exclusively into the hairline. You do have a point though, I never thought about the back of the head and how the beanie would touch that.

I might need to consider upgrading my beanie to a Rastafarian hat. It's okay though, I'm a uni student so I can basically wear whatever I want.

[gillenator]

Originally Posted by Highlander

Grafts would be going exclusively into the hairline. You do have a point though, I never thought about the back of the head and how the beanie would touch that.

I might need to consider upgrading my beanie to a Rastafarian hat. It's okay though, I'm a uni student so I can basically wear whatever I want.

What about a bandana? That's one of the best options because you can wear one loosely tied.