That's a good question, sarge. I had my HT 5 weeks ago and I asked about it but my doc didn't seem to be too interested in it and doesn't prescribe it.
<bsouter>
Posted
I used it two months ago after my transplant. My doctor suggested it but left it up to me. I don't have a transplant experience without it to compare it to but I did find it worked well to keep the area moist and seemed to speed up healing. I had shed most scabs by 5 or 6 days and all by 7 or 8 days.
It's a little pricey but I would definitely use it again.
bsouter
<paul rose>
Posted
Dear Sarge:
I think that for most hair transplant surgeons the jury is still out regarding the efficacy of Graft-Cyte.
The studies that were done in the past were probably not the best in obtaining and analyzing data. In actuality it is very diffcult to measure hair counts and graft survivial. Additionally there is always some skepticism when the people performing the work receive monies from the companies or have an interest in the company's success.In the case of Graft Cyte I'm sure that the physicians involved tried to be as objective as possible
At the clinic where I perform surgery we use the product. I do think that it helps diminish crusting in the area and seems to enhance healing. It is unclear if a saline or other type of physiological liquid would do the same. Water might work as well for the crusting problems.
I think that patients like participating in their care and want to minimize any crusting.
Whether the Graft-Cyte really benefits the transplanted hairs is still difficult to say with certainty. I believe that it does not injure the grafts.
Today is day 7 post op for me. I used the last of my Graftcyte spray mist (4.5 oz I think) yesterday. I lost all of my scabs this morning with a prolonged shampoo and scalp massage. I had heard the Graftcyte shortens the healing from 7-9 days to 5-7 days. Well, at 7 days for me I guess you could argue either it did or didn't help. I did (either psychologically if not physically) enjoy the refreshing & moistening, and would use it again. Rick
To all wondering about Graftcyte, my experience with it, speaking for all of our patients, is that it works very well. We have been sending all of our patients home with it, post operatively free of charge, since it has been on the market. We have had patients who have had surgeries before it was available and then used it for their following procedure when it became available...they all claim that the scabbing went away much quicker. Who's to say that as long as you keep it moist for the first few days, even with saline solution, that it too, would keep the scabbing to a minimum? We do not charge our patients for it that way we make sure that everyone is using it. I know that it definitely doesn't harm anything. We tell our patients that once they are out of the bottle we have provided, the scabs should be gone and there is no use for another bottle. It is said that the main ingredient, copper peptide, promotes healing. The feedback, once again, that we get is that it has worked well for all of our patients.
I use the graftcyte shampoo (it's been 5 days post HT) and it work fine for keep the area clean. However, it seems to leave the reat of my hair un-conditioned. Is it okay to also use conditioner?
I have no experience with graftcyte. I used T-Gel. But I personally did not use conditioner until about day 14 postop. I am probably over paranoid about anything containing alcohol. All conditioners do. although they call it Cetyle or Cearyl Alcohol. I hope others will answer your post, even a doctor maybe.
Good Luck
<Dr.Glenn Charles>
Posted
Most hair transplant surgeons would agree that during the first two weeks following hair restoration surgery only gentle cleansing shampoos or graftcyte shampoo should be used. Once the scabs have all fallen off (1-2 weeks) it is ok to start using conditioners and medicated shampoos.
