Preparation Guide · Hair Transplant

Already have a date for your transplant?
How to prepare properly.

Preparation is not a formality. It's part of the result. This guide covers everything you need to know and do in the weeks before your transplant.

Validated clinical content Based on specialised clinic protocols Dr. José María Úbeda · Clínica Alpha

"The pre-operative stage of a hair transplant is just as important as the post-operative one. The condition you arrive at the operating theatre in largely determines how the result will turn out."

01 · Countdown

What to do at each stage
before the day of the procedure

Some changes need to be made weeks in advance, others only the day before. Knowing when to act avoids last-minute mistakes.

4 weeks before

Stop topical and oral minoxidil

If you're using minoxidil, you should stop it at least 2–4 weeks before surgery. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that increases blood flow in the scalp — during follicle extraction and implantation, that increase in bleeding can make the surgeon's work more difficult.

Finasteride or dutasteride do not need to be stopped unless your doctor indicates otherwise. Always check with your clinic.

Always under medical supervision
10–14 days before

Stop anti-inflammatories, aspirin and supplements

Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen), vitamin E, Omega-3 and vitamin complexes containing vitamin E increase the risk of bleeding. They should be stopped at least 10 days before the procedure.

If you take any of these on medical prescription, don't stop them unilaterally. Check with your doctor first.

Don't stop prescribed medication without consulting
7–10 days before

Avoid tobacco, alcohol, caffeine

Tobacco reduces peripheral blood flow and can compromise the survival of newly implanted follicles. It's recommended to avoid it at least 7–10 days before surgery — and also during the first 10 days afterward.

Alcohol and caffeine affect clotting and hydration. It's recommended to stop alcohol at least 3–7 days before, and caffeine on the days immediately prior.

The sooner, the better
5–7 days before

Stop intense exercise

High-intensity exercise increases blood pressure and blood flow in the scalp. It's recommended to stop it about 5–7 days before the procedure. Light activity like walking is fine.

Light activity: no problem
The day before

Final preparation

Wash your hair with shampoo, leaving no product residue. No gel, hairspray, masks or conditioners. Drink plenty of water — hydration makes the procedure easier. Prepare a button-up shirt for the next day.

Clean scalp · No products
02 · Medication

What you need to know
about medication before the transplant

This is the most important part of preparation. Decisions about medication should always be made with your doctor — never on your own.

Stop (in advance)
  • Topical minoxidil — 2 to 4 weeks before. A vasodilator that increases bleeding during surgery
  • Aspirin and ibuprofen — at least 10 days before. Inhibit clotting
  • Vitamin E and Omega-3 — at least 10 days before. Anticoagulant effect
  • Vitamin complexes with vitamin E — check composition and consult your doctor
  • Arginine, Citrulline, Beta Alanine — vasodilators that can interfere with clotting
  • Anticoagulants — only under explicit medical direction. Don't stop them without supervision
Continue (unless told otherwise)
  • Finasteride / Dutasteride — generally continued. Your clinic will confirm
  • Regular medication (hypertension, blood-sugar-lowering drugs, thyroid, etc.) — unless your surgeon says otherwise
  • Antidepressants or other psychiatric medication — never stop without medical consultation
If you take any regular medication, inform your clinic at the pre-operative consultation. Never stop a prescribed medication without first checking with the doctor who prescribed it and with the clinic's team.
Medication your clinic may prescribe

Some surgeons prescribe oral or topical corticosteroids in the perioperative period to reduce inflammation and prevent complications such as folliculitis or scalp dermatitis. The regimen varies depending on each clinic's protocol and the patient's characteristics — it's not universal. Your clinic will tell you if it applies to your case.

03 · The scalp

Arriving in the best
possible condition

The condition of your scalp on the day of the procedure directly influences the procedure itself and how your skin responds in the first few days. There are concrete things you can do to arrive in better condition.

No active irritation

The scalp should not present active flaking, scabs, pustules, intense redness or flare-ups of dermatitis or psoriasis on the day of surgery. If you have any of these conditions, notify the clinic in advance — prior treatment may be necessary or, in severe cases, the procedure may need to be postponed.

No product residue

On the day of the procedure your hair must be clean and free of any cosmetic product: gel, hairspray, oils, masks or conditioners. This residue can make it harder to extract follicles and increase the risk of irritation in the donor area.

Balanced scalp

Avoiding products with harsh surfactants, strong fragrances or alcohols in the weeks beforehand helps you arrive with a less reactive scalp. The more balanced the pH and skin barrier are, the better it responds to the procedure and the first washes.

The shampoo you use matters

Using a shampoo with a physiological pH (~5.5) and no harsh surfactants in the weeks before your transplant helps keep your scalp balanced, free of underlying irritation and free of product residue that could interfere.

The added advantage: if you start before the transplant, you won't have to introduce a new product right when your scalp is at its most sensitive.

04 · The day of the procedure

What to bring
and how to arrive prepared

✓
Have a normal breakfast

To avoid feeling dizzy during the procedure. If surgery requires general anaesthesia or sedation, your clinic will tell you if you need to fast beforehand — this is usually not the case for transplants under local anaesthesia.

✓
Button-up shirt

Essential. Don't wear jumpers or t-shirts that need to be pulled over your head. Getting dressed and undressed could rub or dislodge the newly implanted follicles.

✓
Clean hair, no products

Wash your hair that morning with shampoo only. No gel, hairspray, oils or any cosmetic product.

✓
Don't drive home

You may be given medication that causes drowsiness during or after the procedure. Arrange for someone to pick you up or use public transport or a taxi.

✓
Don't shave your hair

The medical team will adjust the length needed for extraction. Don't do it yourself beforehand unless explicitly instructed by the clinic.

✓
Report infectious conditions

If in the days before you develop flu, a cold, acute asthma or another active infectious condition, notify the clinic immediately. The procedure may need to be postponed.

05 · When to contact your clinic before the day

Some situations require notifying the clinic in advance, not on the day itself. Don't wait if any of these appear:

An active flare-up of dermatitis, psoriasis or any scalp condition
An active respiratory infection — flu, a cold, acute asthma
Any ongoing infectious condition
A change in your regular medication in the weeks before
Doubts about whether to stop a supplement or medication
Any other question — that's what the medical team is there for
!
Preparation is not a formality. It's part of the result.

Arriving at the operating theatre with a balanced scalp, without medication that increases bleeding and without product residue is not clinical bureaucracy. It's the foundation the surgeon works on. The difference between arriving well prepared and not being prepared can directly affect the result.

Practical summary

Pre-operative checklist
before your date

Do
  • Stop topical minoxidil 2–4 weeks in advance
  • Tell the clinic about all the medication you take
  • Stop aspirin, anti-inflammatories and anticoagulant supplements 10 days before
  • Avoid tobacco at least 7–10 days before
  • Wash your hair the day before and the day of surgery without products
  • Wear a button-up shirt on the day of the procedure
  • Eat a normal breakfast (unless fasting is prescribed)
  • Arrange transport home
Avoid
  • Stopping prescribed medication without consulting your doctor
  • Taking aspirin or ibuprofen in the days before
  • Drinking alcohol in the days before
  • Smoking in the days before and the 10 days after
  • Using gel, hairspray or oils on the day of surgery
  • Wearing clothes that need to be pulled over your head
  • Driving home after the procedure
  • Hiding symptoms or active scalp conditions
Ú
Dr. José María Úbeda Hair transplant surgeon · Medical Director, Clínica Alpha, Madrid

"The condition of the scalp on the day of the procedure is one of the factors that most influences the quality of the procedure. An irritated scalp, with residue or with excessive bleeding, complicates the surgeon's work from the very first minute."

V
Dr. Sara Valdecantos Hair transplant surgeon · Medical Director, Confidence Medical, Madrid

"Pre-operative preparation isn't just a list of things to avoid. It's the opportunity to arrive at the operating theatre in the best possible condition. Patients who arrive well prepared have better recoveries."

FOLIC · Specialist scalp and hair care

If you already have a date, there's something concrete you can do right now: start preparing your scalp. The product you use during these weeks deserves to be chosen with the same care as the rest of the process.

Preparing your scalp
is also part of the process

FOLIC is formulated with a physiological pH (~5.5) and no harsh surfactants — to keep your scalp balanced, hydrated and free of underlying irritation in the weeks before your transplant. And when you leave the clinic, you'll already have your routine sorted without needing to change products.

Physiological pH ~5.5 No harsh surfactants No irritating ingredients Before and after your transplant Made in Spain Dermatologically tested
View hair transplant shampoo →
Frequently asked questions

The most common questions

The usual recommendation is to stop topical minoxidil between 2 and 4 weeks before surgery. Being a vasodilator, it can increase bleeding during the procedure. Your clinic will give you the exact guidance for your case. Finasteride is generally continued — always check with your doctor.
No. Ibuprofen and aspirin inhibit clotting and should be stopped at least 10 days before. If you need pain relief before the procedure, ask your clinic what alternative you can take — paracetamol generally doesn't affect clotting, but always confirm.
Generally no. Regular medication — for blood pressure, blood sugar, thyroid, antidepressants — is continued unless the surgeon expressly says otherwise. The key is to tell the clinic about everything you take so they can assess it. Never stop a prescribed medication without first checking with the doctor who prescribed it and with the clinic's team.
No. Tobacco reduces peripheral blood flow and compromises tissue oxygenation, which can affect the survival of implanted follicles and slow down healing. It's recommended to avoid it at least 7–10 days before and during the first 10 days after the procedure.
You should use a shampoo with a physiological pH (~5.5) and no harsh surfactants or irritating ingredients. Keeping your scalp balanced and free of underlying irritation in the weeks beforehand helps you arrive in better condition for the procedure. If you start before the transplant, you also won't have to change products afterward.
It's recommended to avoid caffeine in the days before and on the day of the procedure. Caffeine has a vasoconstrictive effect that can interfere with local anaesthesia and with hydration. Have a normal breakfast but without coffee or energy drinks. Plenty of water.
What comes next

Preparing well before your transplant is only part of the process. In the coming days we'll send you information about the first washes, the most common mistakes after a transplant, and how to properly care for your scalp during the first few weeks.

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Specific guides for every stage of a hair transplant

We publish content about preparation, first washes, itching, flaking and scalp care before and after a transplant. Follow us so you don't miss the next posts.

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Care for transplanted hair
Preparation = result No improvising With medical judgement