Patient
Information

Dr. Daewoo Kim of Monara Hair Clinic is recognized as one of Korea’s premier hair transplant surgeons with a multidisciplinary approach to treatment for hair loss. His practice excels in both non-surgical hair growth stimulation and advanced hair transplant techniques, ensuring natural-looking hairlines and density.

Renowned as the best hair transplant surgeon in the city, Dr. Kim is an expert in Hair transplant FUE. Additionally, he offers a range of minimally invasive hair loss treatments.

MONARA HAIR CLINIC

SCHEDULE CONSULTATION (82) 10 3392 3291

Hair Transplant Pre-Operative Instructions

★★★ Please Inform Us of Your Medical History

It is very important that you accurately inform our medical team of your health condition, including but not limited to:

High blood pressure
Diabetes
Medication allergies
Panic disorder or anxiety disorders
Possibility of pregnancy
Any other chronic illnesses or current medications

Even if you are unable to discontinue certain medications, surgery may still be performed safely — but you must inform the medical team in advance.

1. Medications & Supplements

■ Two Weeks Before Surgery

We recommend discontinuing the following:

Anticoagulants such as aspirin or warfarin
Omega-3 supplements
Vitamin E
Herbal supplements affecting blood circulation (e.g., onion extract, garlic extract, ginkgo biloba)

■ Ten Days Before Surgery

Do not take:

Aspirin
Vitamin E
Ginkgo biloba
Multivitamins containing vitamin E

Many medications contain aspirin, so please carefully read all medication labels.

You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) if needed.

■ Three Days Before Surgery

Do not take anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., ibuprofen).
Do not drink alcohol.
Avoid excessive sun exposure.

2. Smoking & Vitamins

Please refrain from smoking for at least two weeks before and two weeks after surgery for optimal healing.
Taking Vitamin C (1,000–2,000 mg daily) for one week before surgery may help promote healing.
To reduce bruising, Vitamin K (100 mcg daily) may be taken starting five days before surgery and continuing for two days after surgery.

3. Hair Coloring & Hair Length

Hair coloring and perming will be restricted for approximately four weeks after surgery, so we recommend completing these beforehand if needed.
If you have a significant amount of gray hair, please dye your hair 1–3 days before surgery for better visualization of grafts.
Hair styling is permitted two weeks after surgery.
It is generally better to grow your hair out before surgery rather than cutting it short, as longer hair helps conceal the donor area during healing.

4. Donor Area Preparation

For standard FUE procedures:

Hair in the donor area (back and possibly sides of the scalp) will be trimmed short to allow extraction.
For smaller procedures, only a small area may be trimmed and can easily be covered by surrounding hair.
For larger procedures (800 or more FUE grafts), shaving of the entire back and sides may be required.
Please discuss the recommended approach with your doctor.

For No-Shaven FUE:

The donor area will not be shaved.
We recommend growing your hair to a length you feel comfortable with.

If you are undergoing BHT (Body Hair Transplant) using beard, chest, abdomen, or other body hair, please follow the specialized instructions provided separately.

5. Fasting & Medications on the Day of Surgery

You must fast for at least 4 hours prior to surgery for safe sedation.
Essential medications (such as blood pressure or thyroid medication) should be taken with no more than half a cup of water.
Do NOT take diabetic medication on the day of surgery.
Shower and wash your hair the day before surgery, as shampooing may be restricted on the day of the procedure.
Please avoid facial makeup on the day of surgery.

6. Clothing & Personal Items

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to remove.
Button-down or zip-up tops are strongly recommended.
Prepare a loose-fitting hat to wear after surgery.
- X Baseball caps and tight beanies are NOT recommended.
- ◎ Bucket hats, hiking hats, scarves, or zip-up hoodies are recommended.

7. Transportation & Travel

Procedures typically take 4–8 hours, depending on the number of grafts.
If you receive sedation (oral sedatives are commonly chosen for relaxation), you must arrange transportation home.
On the day of surgery, we recommend using public transportation or coming with a guardian rather than driving yourself.
If you are traveling from out of town, please arrange your flights, hotel, and transportation in advance. Our office is happy to assist with accommodations.

Day of your procedure

Eat a regular breakfast, but no coffee or caffeinated beverages in the morning as these can increase bleeding and sensitivity to medications. You will be provided lunch in the office and offered breaks during your procedure.
Routinely prescribed medications (e.g. for blood pressure) should be taken in the morning as usual unless otherwise instructed.
Wear clothes that do not need to be pulled over your head to prevent pulling out grafts immediately after your procedure. Please remove all jewelry.
Be prepared to remove contact lenses before your procedure if you normally remove them to sleep.
Feel free to bring music to listen to during your procedure. Our procedure room is also equipped with music.
Wash your hair the night before or the morning of surgery. Do not apply any product like gel.

Hair Transplant Post-Operative Instructions

★★★ The first 2 weeks are critical for graft survival.

Careful attention during this period is essential to ensure safe graft take and optimal results.

1. Protecting the Transplanted Area

Avoid touching, rubbing, or bumping the surgical area when dressing, washing, or sleeping.
Be especially careful not to let the transplanted area rub against pillows or clothing.
Even the loss of a single graft can cause noticeable bleeding.
- If bleeding occurs, do not panic.
- Apply firm, steady pressure with clean gauze or cloth for approximately 10 minutes until bleeding stops.

2. Smoking & Alcohol

★★ Smoking and alcohol must be strictly avoided for at least 2 weeks, as they directly affect graft survival and healing.

3. Activity & Exercise

Light walking is permitted at any time.
Light jogging may begin after 1 week.
Strenuous exercise and intense physical activity should be avoided for 2 weeks.

4. Wearing a Hat

Hats may be worn immediately after surgery.
Recommended: hooded tops, loose scarves, bucket hats, hiking hats.
Wear the hat lightly, as if gently placing it on your head.
Avoid tight baseball caps or tight beanies, as grafts may catch and become dislodged.

5. Shampooing & Scalp Care

You may begin washing your hair the day after surgery.
However, you must follow the foam shampoo method demonstrated by the clinic (not regular scrubbing).
Do not scratch the transplanted area.
- If itching occurs, gently tap the area instead.
- Be particularly careful not to scratch unconsciously during sleep.

6. Sleeping Position & Swelling

Sleep on your back, facing the ceiling.
Slight side positioning is acceptable, but avoid pressure on the transplanted area.
Swelling of the forehead or face may occur for 2–3 days.
- Apply cold compresses to the forehead (not directly on grafts).
- Rest while lying on your back.
- To reduce eyelid swelling, gently massage above the eyebrows from the center outward several times a day.

7. Medications

Prescription Medications Provided by the Clinic

If you are allergic or unable to take any prescribed medications, please inform us before surgery so we can adjust your prescription.

Prescription medications may also include:

Antibiotics
Anti-inflammatory medication
Anti-swelling medication
Stomach-protective medication

If you experience any side effects, contact the clinic immediately.

8. Resuming Regular Medications & Supplements

You may resume your usual medications or supplements the day after surgery, after confirming there is no active bleeding.

9. Styling, Coloring & Perming

General hair styling is allowed after 2 weeks.
Hair dyeing and perming are permitted after 4 weeks.

10. Scab Removal

Scabs begin to form after transplantation.
Starting on Day 10, you may gradually begin removing them.
Do not force removal initially.
Soften scabs thoroughly with water before gently removing them.
After Day 14, any remaining scabs may be removed with firmer washing.
Normal shampooing is safe after this point.

Questions or Concerns

If you experience discomfort, unusual symptoms, or have any concerns during recovery, please contact the clinic. We are happy to guide you in detail.

Post-Operative Shampoo & Scalp Care Instructions

Proper cleansing is extremely important for healing and graft survival. Please follow these instructions carefully.

Day of Surgery

Your scalp will be cleaned at the clinic before you leave.
Mild bleeding from the donor area (back of the scalp) may occur during the first 24 hours.
- If this happens, apply light but steady pressure with clean gauze or a cloth for 10 minutes.
- Apply pressure to the donor area only.

Days 1–5: Gentle Foam Washing Method

You may begin washing your hair the day after surgery.

Step 1: Wetting the Scalp

Use cool to lukewarm water with low water pressure.
It is recommended to pour water gently over your scalp using a cup or bowl rather than allowing strong shower pressure to hit the grafts directly.
Thoroughly wet the entire scalp (top, sides, and back).

Step 2: Shampoo Application

You may use your regular shampoo, provided it is mild.
Lather the shampoo in your hands first.
Gently PAT the foam onto the transplanted (recipient) area.
Do NOT rub, scratch, or massage the graft area.
Let the foam sit on the transplanted area for 2–3 minutes until it settles.
You may gently rub and wash the non-transplanted areas, including the donor area (back and sides).

(Alternatively, you may mix shampoo with warm water in a bowl and gently pour it over the scalp.)

Step 3: Rinsing

Rinse thoroughly with low-pressure running water.
Make sure no shampoo residue remains.
After rinsing with water, gently rinse the transplanted area once more with saline solution for approximately 7 days to ensure complete cleansing.

Step 4: Drying

Do NOT rub with a towel.
Gently pat dry or lightly press with a towel to absorb water.
Allow to air dry, or use a fan or cool-setting hair dryer only.
Avoid hot air.

Step 5: After Drying

Apply disinfectant solution to the donor area for approximately one week.
Spray the graft survival spray (e.g., EGF tonic) onto the transplanted area every 4 hours for the first 3–5 days.
Continue using the bottle until finished.

Day 3

Gentle combing is permitted starting on Day 3.
Do not comb against or disturb the transplanted grafts.

Day 6 and After

You may resume normal showering on Day 6.
Normal water flow may contact the scalp.
Continue gentle handling of the graft area.

Crust (Scab) Removal

Crusts will form around transplanted grafts.
Begin gentle removal around Day 9–10.
Soften crusts thoroughly with water before attempting removal.
Gently massage to remove them gradually.
If you experience pain or bleeding, stop and wait two more days before trying again.
It is very important that all crusts are removed by two weeks after surgery.

After two weeks, you may wash and shampoo normally without restrictions.

Important Reminders

Do not scratch the scalp, even if itching occurs.
Gently tap instead.
Avoid strong water pressure for the first 5 days.
Proper cleansing reduces infection risk and promotes optimal graft survival.

Dr. Daewoo Kim is a highly experienced hair transplant surgeon recognized for his advanced surgical precision and natural-looking results. With extensive clinical expertise in FUE and high-density hair transplantation, Dr. Kim is known for his meticulous technique and patient-centered approach.

Having dedicated his career to the treatment of hair loss, he approaches each case with both technical excellence and genuine understanding of patients’ concerns. His treatment philosophy is rooted in evidence-based medicine and the latest advancements in hair restoration technology, including refined FUE techniques and customized graft design for optimal density and hairline aesthetics.

Dr. Kim has contributed to the field through academic presentations and participation in major plastic surgery and hair restoration conferences. His expertise and consistent surgical outcomes have established him as a trusted authority in hair transplantation, attracting both domestic and international patients seeking natural, long-lasting results.

More about Dr.Kim