A common question for most patients who have had a hair transplant is whether they’re able to travel in the days and weeks following the procedure. A big concern is whether it’s safe to fly after having a hair transplant. Let’s discuss in more detail.

Understanding Hair Transplant Surgery

Provided that one does not have any complications following the procedure, flying after a hair transplant is certainly no cause for concern. But, before debating the safety of flying post-op, we need to understand precisely why and how a hair transplant even takes place. The two most commonly used hair transplant methods are FUE and FUT (follicular unit transplantation), whereby hair follicles are harvested from a donor site area (usually the back or sides of the scalp) and relocated to parts of the scalp that are thinner or bald.

FUE: The individual hair grafts are taken from the donor area with a tiny punch tool, and the holes left heal much faster.

FUT: A strip of skin is cut from the donor area, from which follicles are extracted, producing a linear scar that is sometimes requires a longer recovery period.

Both techniques produce good results, but they involve creating small wounds to the scalp, which must heal properly. Post-operative care and recovery are critical to the results, with significant implications if the patient has to fly.

Can You Fly After a Hair Transplant?

In short, the answer is yes you can fly after a hair transplant, but with a few important provisions, and some timing considerations. Generally speaking, you should fly a few days after your operation. What good is waiting three to five days only? This is because your body has had time to recover from surgery, and your scalp has healed sufficiently to deal with possible air travel-related risks.

There are several questions to consider regarding flying after a hair transplant:

The First 24-72 Post-Op Hours: These are the most crucial period of time within the entire process of graft healing. During this critical period of time, the transplanted hair follicles are especially susceptible to micro injuries or any other forms of external influence.

Air Pressure, Healing, tiny changes in air pressure can have big effects on the body, even altering how fast your scalp heals after a surgery. Most surgeries are free of medical complications. But these minuscule effects might make a difference.

Infection Risk: Air travel means more people and environments means more opportunity for infection. And the scalp is delicate after the surgery itself, so you definitely don’t want an infection on your transplant site!

In order to establish that flying is possible after you have a hair transplant, we need to examine the reasons that way upon the decision a little further.

The First 72 Hours After Surgery

The first three days are the most critical because the grafts are most vulnerable between the times of extraction and implantation. If you scratch your scalp to relieve itching or discomfort, then your follicles can dislodge from the scalp, meaning you could have poorly growing or dying hair on your head for the rest of your recovery.

A. The Risk of Dislodged Grafts
The main concern with travel in the first month is the potential for pulling out the grafts; the micro-incisions made in the recipient area for the transplanted hair to be inserted relaxes after a week or so of healing, just as the hair naturally starts working its way into the scalp. A bad bump, sudden movement or pulling the grafts could result in a patchy result.

B. Cabin Pressure Changes
Another thing to consider is pressure changes in the cabin of an airplane. While a modern aircraft is pressurised to a level which causes no health problems, such pressure changes can still lead to temporary fluid retention (and, thus, mild, temporary swelling). Since swelling is a natural reaction to the surgery even without all this, taking a flight soon after a hair transplant could aggravate that swelling. Don’t forget, the surgery is induced trauma to your scalp. If there is some swelling, you should consult your physician and check with him or her whether it is safe for you to fly. If you choose to fly without consulting your physician, you might make the healing process longer than it really should be.

C. Swelling
Fluid retention (swelling) is common in the first two or three days after a hair transplant, mostly in the forehead and around the eyes. Fluid retention continues to worsen for about the first 24 hours after which it peaks and then starts to subside. Swelling takes approximately five to seven days to decline into normal levels. Flying on an airplane during this period can make it worse due to the low pressure in the aircraft cabin.

Helpful Tips to Reduce Swelling: Your surgeon may suggest sitting with an ice pack on your forehead (not directly on the newly transplanted area) and sleeping in a way that your head is elevated – possibly with pillows or by using a cushion to prevent too much swelling around the head. If you need to travel by plane, a neck pillow may help support your scalp during the flight.

The One-Week Mark: Flying After the Critical Period

By that point most patients’ scalps have begun to heal, so the risk of dislodging any grafts or of serious complications is greatly diminished. But you may still not be quite ready to travel by plane. If you are still experiencing swelling, scabbing or itching at this stage, you should certainly avoid flying.

A. Traveling with Scabs
By the seventh day, small scabs will have formed around the grafts. These scabs are a normal part of the healing process and usually come off in 10-14 days. If you will be flying any time in this period, look after them to avoid disturbing the scabs and causing damage to the hair follicles.

Recommendation: Carefully follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions for cleaning the area and avoiding scratching and rubbing the scalp.

B. Infection Prevention
Another issue with flying shortly after a procedure is the risk of infection. Planes can be crowded, and since airplanes are a relatively confined environment, this makes it easier for germs to spread. Since your scalp has tiny holes following the procedure, it poses a greater risk for infection during the initial stages of healing.

Prevention Directions: Wear a loose hat or scarf over your scalp to protect it from dirt and germs. Do not put pressure on the area where the hair was transplanted. Avoid contact with your scalp to help reduce the chances that your fingers will introduce bacteria to the wounds. Wash your hands often with soap and water.

Long-Distance Travel: Additional Considerations

For those planning on travelling beyond 10 days after the treatment, here are some additional considerations: Long-distance flights can cause changes to the circulation, hydration and comfort issues, which can affect the healing process.

A. Circulation and Blood Clots
Sitting for a long time, especially on long-haul flights, slows circulation and increases the risk of blood clotting. Whilst it is not directly related to the hair transplant, it is something to consider when thinking about general post-operative care. Slow circulation slows healing. Therefore, it is imperative to keep mobile on your flight.

Long-flight Tips: Walk up and down the aisle when you can, and squeeze your legs and feet while seated to get circulation moving.

B. Hydration
Because the cabin is so dry the body can become dehydrated, and you will heal better if you replace the lost fluids.

Drink lots of water before and during flight; avoid alcohol and caffeine, which tends to dehydrate you.

C. Compression Garments
It is possible that your surgeon will recommend that you wear the compression headband that was given to you after your hair transplant to reduce swelling. If you will be flying within the first few days after surgery, you might be well-advised to wear this headband on the flight since it will be an in-flight insurance policy, keeping the scalp supported while reducing swelling.

Aftercare Tips for Flying After a Hair Transplant

To avoid any issues with flying after a hair transplant, it’s important to follow these aftercare tips so you have a smooth recovery and reduced likelihood of complications.

A. Wear Loose-Fitting Headwear
Travelling makes it vital to protect your scalp. However, it is advised to avoid tight hats, beanie or caps as they can put pressure on the transplanted grafts and disturb the healing process. Always choose a large hat or cap to protect your head without disturbing the surgical site.

B. Avoid Strenuous Activity
Air travel, especially long flights, can be tiring. Avoid any heavy lifting or other strenuous activity until your surgeon says you are able to do so. If you can, have someone help you with luggage and other heavy items to avoid straining your body or the grafts.

C. Keep the Scalp Clean
Similarly, it is also crucial to adhere to a daily hygiene program while travelling. Medications or sprays that help you care for the transplanted area as instructed by your surgeon.

Note: if flying soon after the surgery, bring a small bottle of saline spray (prescribed by your surgeon) to keep the area clean and moist.

Monitor for Signs of Complications

Pay attention to your scalp while you are travelling – if you have bad pain, excessive bleeding, redness, warmth or pus, immediately contact your medical professional.

When Is It Safe to Resume Normal Activities After a Hair Transplant?
Normal activities, including flying, can usually resume in 5-7 days, provided that there are no complications, although this can vary based on the patient and the size of the transplant. (For some, it may be possible to return to normal activities in as little as two days.)

Recovery Timeline
1-3 Days: No matter what, rest and do nothing that could dislodge the grafts. Keep head elevated. No direct sunlight.
4-7 Days: Swelling begins to subside. Some patients are fit to fly at this point, but precautions should be taken.
7-10 Days: Scabs begin to fall off, and the risk of graft dislodgement decreases.
10-14 Days: Most patients return to normal activities, including flying, with minimal restrictions.

Flying after a hair transplant should be safe, but timing and careful measures will allow for smoother recovery and success. In theory, one could fly as soon as 48 hours after a transplant, but most surgeons won’t allow it for at least five to seven days, unless there is an emergency situation. This lets the transplanted grafts settle so that there is not too much movement involved. Patients should also be careful to avoid infections, swelling, or any physical pressure on the scalp.

With good postoperative care, adequate hydration and scalp protection on the plane, it is possible to minimize the risks of flying after a hair transplant so that you can resume normal activities without interference. You must, of course, always consult your own hair transplant surgeon regarding the specifics of your condition. This will help to ensure that your procedure follows all the recommendations, especially if you are looking to fly soon after the surgery.