Can I Sweat After A Hair Transplant?

Hello Doc,
This is a wonderful service that you provide here. I applaud your commitment and dedication. I am scheduled for my first HT and am nervous after reading some web postings on a site that indicates HT’s are not the answer. Pretty scary stuff…See: home1.gte.net/dschrode/newtransplant-tales.htm

Anyway, I live in the Dominican Republic and have decided to work with Dr. Alba Reyes. Currently I am in the states and wanted to ask you a couple of questions.

Does the recipient area always have to be shaved?
Will Avodart provide the same protection as proscar for shock prevention?
How long until I can sweat as I live in a warm enviroment and go to the beach often (I wear a hat)?

Thank you again and I look forward to your reply.

Reading the horror stories are part of good research. They are the exception to the general work being done now, though. A good doctor is your assurance that these terrible things will not happen to you, but unfortunately there are still some of those doctors out there today. As I like to tell my patients, do your research! Much of this research is covered in this site in many ways (see The Truth About Cheap Hair Transplants).

To answer your questions —

1. The recipient area where the strip is harvested does need to be shaved. Once the strip is harvested, the longer hair area above and below are brought together so that no shaved area should be seen.
2. Avodart (dutasteride) will provide the same protection from shock loss as Propecia/Proscar (finasteride).
3. You can sweat after the first few days and even run a marathon after 5 days if you have good post operative care and washing.