Efficacy of topical application after transplant

[hairtransplantGuy]

I've had a FUE hair transplant 3 and a half weeks ago. The surgeon asked me to apply 'Follica Medicinal Hair Tincture' on the transplanted area twice a day, starting from 16 days after the surgery till about 5-7 months.

The composition of this medicine is:
Benzyl Nicotinate 0.2% w/v
Vitamin K 0.2% w/v
Salicylic Acid I. P. 0.1% w/v
Alcohol(95%) I. P. 61% v/v
Colour Tartrazine

(Link to product: http://appletherapeutics.in/showprod...D=183&filter=1)

The surgeon tells me that this will help thicken growing (and existing) hair. Even if I believe that a short term effect like this could take place during the period of application, I remain very skeptical that this would have any long term/permanent effect though the surgeon says that it would indeed be the case, and that I should not discontinue usage till at least 5 months.

Has anyone else been prescribed any such thing? And do any people on the forum with medical training believe that this could have any lasting benefits?

[mattj]

I don't have medical training, but I see three notable ingredients.

Benzyl Nicotinate can apparently increase skin oxygenation (raise the level of oxygen in the skin) which could aid healing.

Salicylic Acid can make skin cells shed more rapidly, promoting growth of new cells. It's used in acne creams as it can unclog pores.

Vitamin K is used in creams to treat broken capillaries. Basically it has some vascular effect and can influence bruising.

In my non-medical opinion, this product might be beneficial to the scalp during the post-op healing process as it contains the sort of ingredients used in skincare products (Salicylic Acid is also used in some anti-dandruff shampoos), but I'm not sure that it will actually thicken hair.

[hairtransplantGuy]

Thanks for your useful reply mattj.

Apart from the benefits mattj has mentioned, does anyone know/believe whether this application could have any permanent effect on hair thickness if used for 5-7 months, as the doctor says.

Even the name of the product is 'Follica' indicating something to do with hair/follicles.

[mattj]

I can't answer your question, but I hope I can bump the thread and someone with experience of this product can help.

I do know that this product is quite well known and hairloss sufferers do use it. I doubt if it can make a real difference to the hair shaft itself, but it's probably a good product for scalp health in general.