Sun Exposure after Hair Transplant

[CIT]

Hi Chrissy,

May I ask if you are seeing the white dotting in the donor area, recipient area, or is the dotting also on the body? Depending on your response, you may want to have medical treatment, use a treatment that you can do own your own, or do nothing at all. There are quite a few options that may be very effective in solving this problem.

[gillenator]

And any patients having larger FUE sessions done wiill need to further recognize that they are more susceptable to the "white dot" syndrome and may not be able to shave their scalps in the summer months. And I am referring specifically to the donor zones (occipital areas) of the scalp when there is a much wider contrasts between tanned areas and the obvious circular extraction sites. Many FUE patients who's surgeon utilized 1mm plus sized punches can appreciate what I am saying.

And be careful to those former open-donor patients who had many of the former punch-out grafts done from the 70's through the 90's era. Some docs are suggesting to extract from the parietal areas when there is little to no donor left in the occipital area. And although much of that hair is still classified as terminal hair, meaning that it is DHT resistant, be careful in that area. That area has a higher visual impact than the back of one's head so you ceratinly would not want the "white dot" dilemma showing around your ears!

There's much to consider when deciding where to retrieve one's donor sources and to what extent as it is all limited and not an endless supply.

I always and I mean always feel the most for the repair patients who send me their pics and have obviously over-depleted donor zones back-to-sides. There's not much if any that can be done when you run out of donor.

Hope I am not getting too off topic on this thread!

[Dr. Lindsey]

Sun avoidance

There is a lot of good advice already on this thread. Common sense can help significantly decrease sun complications and hyperpigmentation. Meaning, if you are going on vacation shortly after a procedure (hair, face, extremity) first wear a zinc oxide containing sun block and replenish it frequently. Second, wear a hat, not a visor, but something to keep direct light off of your procedure site. Third, sit in the shade..beach umbrella or cabana. Fourth, take breaks from the sun. Don't try to get "bronze" the first day (in fact you shouldn't at all) but use moderation in your out door exposure.

I have done more than 3000 face lifts on folks, many who have either gone on vacation shortly after the procedure, or simply had the procedure in the summer and continued their normal routine. With RARE exception, I have not had much in the way of hyperpigmentation issues if folks will just exercise a bit of common sense.

In fact, we have had a number of men get hair work done and then take off to the beach for a week. Now up here in VA, its not as bright as Florida, but so far, we have had no problems as the men did what I mentioned above. Ask your doctor what his particular instructions are and follow them.

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

[Lefty76]

I had a HT about 3 months ago and due to the timing it has been very difficult to stay out of the sun. I have been wearing a hat almost daily but this isn't a huge adjustment because I've been wearing a hat almost daily for 10 years now since I started thinning.

I do notice that after wearing a hat, the recipient area does turn a pink color and I'm not sure if it's because of the heat, perspiration or if it's receiving UV rays through my hat. My scalp is definitely sensitive and still is 3 months post operation. At night I do apply vitamin E oil and by morning it seems to settle the pink coloration considerably.

I am planning a vacation to a sunny destination in a few months and I'm just hopeful that my scalp can handle the sun.

Hope this helps.

[gillenator]

I also have this white dots after sun exposure, how do I get rid of them?

I use some cream or laser?

Thanx in advance

Chrissy,

You really can't get rid of the white dots however the issue is the darker tanned skin between the dots. You have to wait until the scalp surface loses it's tan and then not expose your scalp to the sun.

The white dots are scar tissue that have little to no blood flow in them. That's why they appear white compared to the pinker tissue that has blood flow.

[Chrissy]

I also have this white dots after sun exposure, how do I get rid of them?

I use some cream or laser?

Thanx in advance

[gillenator]

I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, I was a victim of a sunburn and lost grafts as a result. After my sunburn 4 months post op, I noticed my new grafts start to shed. I thought maybe this was shock loss. I was away on vacation and when I came back home roughly 5 1/2 months post op, I was shocked by how thin my recipient area was, compared to when I left for my trip and when my new hairs were growing out. Things never really improved after that. I wasn't fully made aware of the damage sun could do to my scalp and my grafts. Temperatures in the 100+ degree range with extremely high UV are hair killers. I learned it the hard way and had to make up for it with another procedure, which ate up more of my donor

Scorpian,

Has your new procedure grown out yet?

[Paul Straub, MD]

Sun Exposure

I agree with gil that the easiest and most effective way to protect against the sun is to wear a hat. I also agree that using sunscreen requires the patient to use repeated applications and some judgment relative to the time of exposure and the strength of the sunblock. Wearing a hat does not require this judgment. However I do not like to prohibit my patients from going into the pool or the ocean throughout a long hot summer. I have recommended heavy application of a strong waterproof sun block to my California surfers and frequent reapplication. I have never known of a growth problem among those who followed my advice.

[Tsakalos]

cant wear a hat there i have to wear a suit. yes in greece. i guess i will be trying to park the car in the shade lol

[Scorpian]

Well I would still wear a hat when you go to work. The sun hitting you from the car isn't that bad. But if you're out in the sun for 30-40 minutes (outdoors walking)... especially if you're in Greece as your profile states.. you should cover up in my opinion. It's just not worth irisking the hairs.

[Tsakalos]

interesting post. what happens for people who live in warm sunny climates and who do not work in an office like me ? for example i am going to have a surgery soon. of course after the surgery i will wear a hat or something. when i go to work i go to my customers of my company, meaning i go with the car but i might spen 30-40 minutes in the sun.

whould that be a problem ?

[Scorpian]

I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, I was a victim of a sunburn and lost grafts as a result. After my sunburn 4 months post op, I noticed my new grafts start to shed. I thought maybe this was shock loss. I was away on vacation and when I came back home roughly 5 1/2 months post op, I was shocked by how thin my recipient area was, compared to when I left for my trip and when my new hairs were growing out. Things never really improved after that. I wasn't fully made aware of the damage sun could do to my scalp and my grafts. Temperatures in the 100+ degree range with extremely high UV are hair killers. I learned it the hard way and had to make up for it with another procedure, which ate up more of my donor

[gillenator]

I cannot say that I completely agree with Dr. Straub. The problem with wearing sunscreen on the scalp and no hat is that you never know if you have enough coverage and adequate levels of block. In addition, our scalps tend to sweat with constant sun on them and the perspiration washes or diminishes the protection. With a hat, you are covered.

IMHO, spending periods in direct sun post-op beyond 5-7 minutes is taking a risk without wearing a hat. The sunscreen/block is great for other parts of the body, and even then, the consumer is advised to re-apply when in the sun for extended periods.

Thanks for the clarification Gil, your advice..."Post op...wear a hat or sunblock anytime outdoors regardless if its full sun or cloudy and overcast.
The reason I was curious about protection even when in a vehicle because I thought of in-direct sunlight and direct sunlight or UV rays through your drivers window(but I agree with you,not often on top of your head).Like I said, Im am outdoors or in a vehicle at least 10 hours everyday.

I know it sounds anal and maybe Im over concerned,but I really dont want to do any thing that could jeapordize the new growth, and Im someone who will play it way safe for this short period until my new hair comes in.
Dale

[gillenator]

[QUOTE=Skeptic1st;2355]I am fortunate I found this particular thread,and Im a little upset because my HT doctor didnt mention a single thing about sun exposure in both his verbal and written post op instructions,and considering that I work outdoors for a living,I would think that information should of been provided.Im only a month and a half post op now so I dont think I was careless enough in the sun to do any damage yet, but there were several days I was outdoors with no hat.I only wore a hat most of those past days because of the cold weather here in NJ so I guess I lucked out.I would like to pose a little more specific question for everyone.. you,ve all agreed that no "direct sun" on the scalp is good,except for short periods like 10 minutes or less.What about days that are overcast with no sun, or rainy days?There are still UV rays present through clouds correct?and sometimes it can be very bright outdoors even without the sun. And what about when Im driving in my car, or work truck, too risky?If I go in the pool with my kids,Ill probably use sun screen although I hate any creams, or gels in my hair. What level SPF would be safe?

Skeptic1st,

Yes indeed there can still be strong UV present even with a cloud covering, and you'll hear weather people and derms warn about it. I am not sure what you are referring to about being in the car or truck because you are under cover when you are driving right? Lastly, use the sunblock with the highest block rating because the higher rating, the more protection. If you're in the pool, you will need to reapply it more often. Read the labeling of the product before you buy it and use it.