Sleeping After Hair Transplant: Right vs Wrong Positions

Sleeping after hair transplant in the right position is a very critical step in the aftercare process.

The first week after the operation could be disturbing for some patients as they have to adjust their sleeping habits.

Therefore, to get the best results and avoid damaging the grafts patients must know how to sleep after a hair transplant. 

Now without further ado, let’s get right into the details and show you how you can sleep without causing any damage to your grafts.

The Best Way to Sleep After Hair Transplantation

Opinions differ about the correct sleeping positions after hair transplantation. But due to our deep experience in this field, we came up with some suitable sleeping positions.

Here are the best sleeping positions after a hair transplant:

1. Sleeping on the back

   In the first 5-7 days, the best way to sleep after hair transplant is by lying down on your back. With your head elevated 45 degrees.
   
   
   Sleeping on the back after hair transplant

   This posture makes the body upright on the bed in such a way that the upper body is higher than the lower body. It is exactly the same as a doctor's bed.
   
   This can be achieved with the help of soft pillows. We recommend our patients use 2 pillows to keep their heads elevated while sleeping. 
    
   Sleeping in such a way will help to reduce the blood pressure from flowing into the transplanted area. 
    
   It will also prevent the liquids (saline solution and anesthetic) injected into the scalp from coming down to the face making it swell. 
    
   At first, this sleeping posture could be uncomfortable for people who have not accustomed to it. 
    
   But bearing it for a few days will protect your transplanted grafts from any possible damage and friction with surfaces.

2. Sleeping on a Small Pillow
   
   It is common that most people use quite long pillows while sleeping. But using this kind of pillow after hair transplant allows patients to rotate their heads freely causing damage to the follicles.
   
   To avoid this, a small pillow must be used under the head to keep it from tossing and turning easily.

3. Using two long pillows on the sides

   Patients can use two long pillows and place them on the left and right sides of the body.
   
   This will keep them from sleeping on their sides and stay alert whenever they are about to turn over.
   
   

4. Using a neck pillow

   Usually, Turkey hair transplant package will include all the necessary post-op kit and a neck pillow will be included. After a hair transplant, clinics provide their patients with a neck pillow to support their necks from tilting left and right.
   
   Use the neck pillow along with 2 other pillows to keep your head upright.

SUMMARY

There is a consensus between hair transplant doctors that the best sleeping position after hair transplant is to lie down on your back with your head elevated 45 degrees by using two soft pillows.

Common Mistakes While Sleeping After Hair Transplant

There are certain sleeping postures that patients need to avoid after hair transplant.

These are the postures that most of us prefer yet when it comes to hair transplants they must be adjusted for a short time.

So, what are the wrong ways to sleep after hair transplant and why?

1. Sleeping on Sides:

   In general, it is completely wrong to sleep on the sides after a hair transplant, especially for the first 5-7 days.
   
   Sleeping on the sides causes constant friction on the scalp and gets in the way of anchoring the grafts firmly to the scalp.
   
   
   

   Wrong position to sleep after hair transplant

   
   

   Eventually, it increases the chance of detaching the newly transplanted grafts.
   
   

2. Sleeping on the stomach

   Some people think that sleeping on the stomach causes less harm to the transplanted hair.
   
   In fact, sleeping on the stomach not only does it harm the hair – especially on the temples – but it also increases the swelling on your face.
   
   Therefore, by using the pillow tactic on both sides patients can control their sleeping patterns for a few days.

SUMMARY

Patients must avoid sleeping on their sides or stomach after hair transplant. These positions could dislodge the hair follicles and increase swelling on the face.

Why Is It Important to Sleep In a Certain Way After Hair Transplant?

After hair transplant hair follicles are still delicate and prone to be detached if you do any sudden movements.

This friction could either be with the pillow or with the hand due to involuntary rubbing of the head during sleep.

All of these things are not in the interest of the patient and only destroy the grafts.

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Also sleeping normally after hair transplantation will expose the implanted follicles to infection and possibly increase the swelling on your face.

Mild Swelling After Hair Transplant

Therefore, patients must know how to sleep after hair transplant in order to avoid these damages and ensure the success of the operation.

Keeping your sleeping area clean

To avoid infections, we recommend using clean pillowcases and bed sheets.

Also, try to wash your pillowcases with fragrance-free laundry detergent to reduce inflammations and allergic reactions.

It’s common to see some light blood stains and liquid discharge on the pillowcase the first couple of nights after hair transplant.

To keep it clean place a waterproof pillow protector before sleeping. This way you’ll keep your sleeping area clean and comfy.

Conclusion

Now that we have thoroughly explained how to sleep after hair transplant you'll be able to avoid any damage to the scalp and hair grafts.

Always remember that in a hair transplant 50% of the success rate depends on how well you follow the aftercare instructions.