Hair Transplant DesignHair Transplant Design
Patient sitting in the Hair Transplant Design waiting room, filling in his clinic paperwork on a clipboard

Pre-Op Checklist for Your Hair Transplant

The weeks before your procedure are simple if you know what to stop and when. These are the same instructions your surgical team gives you, laid out as a countdown: 2–4 weeks before, 7 days before, and the last 72 hours to the morning of. If anything here differs from what your provider told you, follow your provider.

Your Countdown, Step by Step

Each stage has a short list. Do them in order and the morning of your procedure has nothing left to think about.

2–4 Weeks Before01

Stop smoking, start early

  • Stop smoking and vaping. Ideally 2 to 4 weeks before, and no less than 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Do not shave your head unless your surgical team instructs you to.

7 Days Before02

Medication, supplements and hair dye

  • NSAIDs: no ibuprofen, naproxen or diclofenac. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you need something.
  • Supplements and herbs that increase bleeding: stop vitamin E, high-dose omega-3, ginkgo, garlic, ginseng, turmeric extracts and similar.
  • Minoxidil, topical or oral: stop 5 to 7 days before.
  • Finasteride or dutasteride: usually continued unless your provider instructs otherwise.
  • Hair coloring: no dye in the 3 to 4 days before the procedure.
  • Do not shave your head unless instructed.

72 Hours Before to the Morning Of03

The final stretch

  • From 48–72 hours out: no alcohol or recreational drugs; cut down on caffeine and energy drinks; no intense exercise and no long sun exposure on the scalp.
  • Wash your hair the night before and the morning of, with a gentle shampoo (baby shampoo). No conditioner.
  • Nothing in your hair: no gels, waxes or hair spray on the day.
  • Eat a light breakfast. No caffeine or energy drinks that day.
  • Wear a button-up or zip-up shirt, so nothing pulls over your head afterward.
  • Do not shave your head unless your surgical team specifically instructs you to.
  • Bring your ID. If you paid the deposit by credit card, bring the same card, or the cardholder with their ID, for verification.

Your Quick Checklist

The whole page in one list. Screenshot it, or tick it off the night before.

  • No smoking or vaping at least 1–2 weeks before.
  • No alcohol 48–72 hours before.
  • Stop NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac) 7 days before.
  • Stop vitamin E and herbal supplements (ginkgo, garlic, ginseng and similar) 7 days before.
  • Minoxidil, topical or oral: stop 5–7 days before.
  • Finasteride or dutasteride: usually continued unless instructed otherwise.
  • Wash your hair the night before and the morning of the procedure.
  • No gels, waxes or hair spray on the day of surgery.
  • Loose or front-opening clothing.
  • Do not shave your head unless instructed.
  • Bring your ID and the card you paid the deposit with, or the cardholder.

Tell us before you come in

Call the clinic if you develop a fever, cold symptoms or scalp irritation, or if any of your medication changes before the procedure: 813-773-8013. A quick call beforehand is always better than a surprise on the day.

How many grafts will your session need? →

What Happens After the Checklist

The aftercare kit every patient takes home: wash shampoo, spray, headband, dressings and ointment in a green pouch
The kit you take home after the procedure. Real photo.

The checklist ends the moment you sit down in the chair. From there, two pages pick up the story: what the day itself looks like, hour by hour, and how the first weeks go once you are home with your kit.

How the FUE procedure day works What happens after: the post-op guide

Before-Surgery Questions, Answered

Should I shave my head before surgery?

No. Do not shave your head unless your surgical team specifically instructs you to. It is the one item that repeats at every stage of the checklist, because it comes up so often.

Can I keep taking finasteride?

Usually yes: finasteride and dutasteride are normally continued unless your provider instructs otherwise. Minoxidil, topical or oral, is different and is stopped 5 to 7 days before the procedure.

What should I wear on the day?

A button-up or zip-up shirt, or any loose, front-opening clothing, so nothing has to be pulled over your head afterward. Nothing in your hair either: no gels, waxes or hair spray that day.

Can I drink coffee that morning?

No caffeine or energy drinks on the day of the procedure. Start cutting them down 48 to 72 hours before, and have a light breakfast that morning.

Not Sure About One of These?

Medication, supplements, the deposit card, anything on this page: one call clears it up before the day. In English or Spanish.

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