Effect of Prescription Medications and Lifestyle Habits on Hair Surgery Results
The use of various substances, for example, can promote excessive bleeding during the operation. These include but are not limited to:
- Consumption of alcohol
- Smoking tobacco
- Use of recreational drugs
- Prescription drugs
- Over the counter supplements and medications
Additionally, these factors can also lead to high levels of oozing after the surgery.
Patients must disclose their substance use as a measure to help ensure safe and successful outcomes.
Effect of Prescription Medications and Lifestyle Habits on Hair Surgery Results : Alcohol and Hair Transplantation
Alcohol reduces the proper functioning of many types of cells. This includes blood platelets which are responsible for forming blood clots. Clotting factors are also produced by the liver.
Patients need to know that alcohol causes irreversible damage to the liver. Therefore simply refraining from drinking prior to surgery may not completely restore the body’s normal blood clotting abilities.
Effect of Prescription Medications and Lifestyle Habits on Hair Surgery Results ; The Effect of Smoking
Smoking has a negative impact on blood circulation throughout the body. And this can also contribute to high levels of bleeding during the surgery.
Secondly, smoking can also reduce the elasticity of the blood vessels. Less blood flow to the scalp can undermine the survival of the newly transplanted grafts which rely heavily on the abundant influx of oxygen and nutrients.
Effect of Prescription Medications and Lifestyle Habits on Hair Surgery Results : Recreational Drugs
Discussing one’s use of recreational drugs with a doctor can cause feelings of guilt, shame and embarrassment. However, patients need to realize that besides being prohibited in society, these substances can incur negative complications with the drugs used during the actual surgery. A good example would be the cocaine’s ability to amplify the effects of lidocaine towards dangerous levels.
Prescription Medications and Blood Clotting During and After A Hair Surgery
There are many forms of prescription drugs which can reduce blood clotting ability and pose risks for excessive bleeding. The formation of blood clots can be dangerous as they can facilitate conditions such as: pulmonary embolisms, venous thromboembolisms, heart attacks and strokes.
However, the use of drugs which thin the blood can be detrimental for many forms of surgery, especially the ones which rely on blood clotting for the purpose of healing.
This is a main reason why hair transplant patients will need to disclose all forms of prescription drugs they are taking.
Over the Counter Medications
Although asprin is considered to be a commonplace drug, it too can have negative consequences for a hair restoration procedure because it causes excessive bleeding. Bleeding disorders are relative contraindication for hair restoration surgery. Asprin works as an anti-inflammatory. It reduces the width of the blood vessels. Therefore, less blood is able to reach the scalp. And as mentioned earlier, this can be detrimental for the survival of hair grafts.
Supplements and herbal products may also seem harmless. But these too can have a counter effect on the drugs and objectives associated with hair restoration procedures. These should also be disclosed to the surgeon along with all other substances that are taken by the patient.
For a list of other topics to discuss during a hair restoration consultation, click here