Over the years, hair transplant surgery has gained widespread popularity among men and women all over the world who wish to achieve an aesthetic upgrade by restoring the hairline, thickening the beard or eyelashes, or getting over noticeably less follicles that are performing at suboptimal levels. As the world is taking a drastic turn towards making health-conscious choices, we can observe another rebellion of people embracing veganism to stand for what they believe in and fight against the unethical treatment and consumption of our non-human cohabitants of the world. Vegans are in no way under the impression that nobody should have hair transplants because everyone is entitled to their own decisions and modifications, but it is essential to provide proper procedures to those in need who end up on our table. Veganism is a philosophy that stands against exploiting any non-human creature; therefore, they do not eat any animal products nor use any animal-derived products. They refrain from using anything where an animal might be abused, exploited, or slaughtered. They are the most compassionate beings because they feel the pain and suffering of these creatures and believe that all need to live an abuse-free life. Studies have also shown that they have lower risks of certain types of cancer, high blood pressure, and above all, heart risks. This article will emphasize the importance of the first line of post-operative nutrition and how one could apply plant-based healing while recovering from a hair transplant procedure. The injection of healthy, bioavailable, and high in antioxidants food quickly accentuates the overall and, most importantly, the patient’s recovery.
Understanding the Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet for Post-Transplant Recovery
Read any post-operative nutritional guidelines provided by your surgeon for the first few days of recovery. If there is a discrepancy, consult with your doctor about your interest in a bundled event lasting from a day to ten days. Trust yourself and your own recovery enough to add vegan nutrition into your plan as soon as possible. If unsure, add vegan nutrition bit by bit and see how it goes. Be sure to always stay vigilant for signs of an allergic reaction or intolerance whenever adding new foods to your diet.
Most vegan whole, nutrient-dense foods provide nutritional value directly related to promoting healing, collagen creation, cellular regeneration, and division. They may also help to decrease the risk, severity, and duration of erectile dysfunction and other potential side effects. Many of the vegan immune modulators also have anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling influences, which may help to dampen other common post-operative events less severely than seen in the general population. Add to this that the abundant antioxidants, compounds, bioflavonoids, enzymes, and phytochemicals in everything you’re consuming will help to fuel benefits both for newly transplanted hair and the new growth that will soon follow.
An important part of the role of the surgeon and the post-operative team is in educating those within the vegan community as to why vegan nutrition can help with this process, as there are many misconceptions or uncertainties about veganism that result in feedback loops of not getting the care that could be beneficial. Even more so, folks tend to not seek services, products, or support that is traditionally valued or beneficial for those who do not identify as vegan. Some also worry that vegan eating is complicated or expensive, and as such, an increased educational approach early can reduce this. There are enough non-vegan doctors, nurses, friends, and family members grilling folks who are vegan more frequently than doctors and nurses do regarding vegans eating a ‘regular’ diet.
Essential Nutrients for Hair Health in a Vegan Diet
To support a healthy, fast recovery that is accompanied by new hair growth, it is important to consume a balanced diet that meets the body’s regular needs through sources that are plant-based. This can be done by consuming a variety of whole foods while keeping added sugars, excess salt, and heavily processed foods to a minimum. Most vitamins and minerals offer benefits in other areas of health, making a balanced diet agreeable to the unique needs of the post-hair transplant patient in the days following surgery.
To properly heal and support hair health, it is essential to ensure a sufficient intake of the proper vitamins and minerals. Particularly helpful vitamins include vitamin A, a potent antioxidant that can provide protection for hair follicles and support sebum production. Vitamin C, known for encouraging the absorption of iron by the body, is essential in hair nutrition. The B vitamins are known to promote faster, thicker hair growth. Capsules and supplements can also be taken, especially when it comes to protein. On top of proper hair nutrition, a good vegan diet should be full of other vital nutrients such as amino acids and essential fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to prevent hair loss and support hair growth. Iron, a necessary nutrient, encourages the circulation of blood, which is heavily required for hair growth, and can be obtained from legumes, lentils, and dark leafy greens to invest in the health of hair and the whole body. Since hair is made almost entirely of protein, however, a rapid and full recovery and excellent hair growth would not be possible without the intake of such food components. Combined with the qualities detailed in the preceding nutrition plan, the vitamins that have been placed on each day in the following nutrition plan offer additional nutritional reinforcement over the next array of food sources.
At the same time, it is important to note that iron deficiency and mineral deficiencies are common in anyone because many individuals do not currently consume the optimum daily servings of vegetables, fruits, greens, nuts, seeds, and grains to meet their nutritional needs overall. Since the deficiency of certain nutrients may result in slower recovery and poorer hair growth overall, the inclusion of a good variety of whole food plants to supply these nutrients is useful during the recovery period. Deficiencies can generally be prevented by consuming fortified sources of nutrients or maintaining high bioavailability of nutrients with other food or beverages as part of a balanced diet every day. Plan each meal to include at least one food from each food group, and consume enough food from each group to meet your individual nutritional needs.
Vegan Supplements for Hair Growth and Recovery
They say beauty comes from within, and we believe the same can be said for health. While a balanced diet can generally provide all essential nutrients, certain supplements can support hair growth and recovery. Below, we outline a number of vegan-friendly options valued for promoting hair growth, each sourced from natural plants and minerals instead of animal-derived products. Before using treatments, it’s important to be informed about the supplements you’re taking, as well as to speak with your hair transplant surgeon or another qualified health professional. When purchasing over-the-counter products, look for an independent quality mark to ensure the highest quality.
Scientific research has found that biotin supplementation can help support hair restoration and promote thicker, healthier hair. If you’re looking for a vegan biotin supplement, we suggest starting with 2,500 mcg of formulated D-biotin taken at one daily dose. After some time, you may consider increasing your biotin intake up to 5,000 mcg. Other lesser-known supplements may also have hair-restoring effects. Silica has been found to promote hair growth by improving the elasticity and strength of hair. Because many people are deficient in this mineral, which is primarily found in rice, people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet may especially benefit from silica supplementation. The research surrounding hair-restoring claims of marine algae-derived supplements is relatively new. However, a pilot study found that women taking oral marine alkaline complex containing silica had a significant reduction in total hair loss, more hair in the body, and better hair vitality compared to the placebo group. Other studies confirm that the ingestion of choline can lead to thinner hair.
Natural Alternatives to Traditional Aftercare Products
Along the same line, the necessity to use beauty products that are vegan and cruelty-free is just as pressing. In order to facilitate the aftercare of one’s hair transplant, we suggest using natural remedies, whether they be store-bought or homemade. This way, not only are we using items derived from plant ingredients to care for our hair and scalp, but we are also avoiding any canceled-out veganism that might result from using commercial products originating from unethical companies. Repetition of hair washing and application of healing ingredients can give rise to a high consumption of shampoos and creams in the weeks following the procedure. Instead of using mainstream and nutritionally doubtful products, it would be advisable to seek alternatives that would prove to be cheaper, more reliable, and, of course, vegan.
Aloe vera gel, avocado butter, sea buckthorn oil, essential oils such as rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, grapefruit, lemon, and geranium, marine and earth clays, certain vegetables, and essential fatty acids found in vegan fish oils have all been known to benefit hair health. Removing or at least decreasing the usage of harsh chemicals will help your scalp to recover more quickly, and the use of natural hair care products will promote hair growth. From a commercial standpoint, a variety of natural, gentle, vegan, and cruelty-free hair products are available to treat your hair and scalp, many of which are widely available in health food stores. Offering a convenient and easy healing process with accurate dosage, these items can also certify that none of the ingredients used are contraindicated by the professional situation. Even after the healing process, natural, sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free alternatives can be considered. If you have short hair and are eligible for a complete recovery, our top recommendation is to only use natural hair and scalp treatment items that are vegan and cruelty-free.