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Can I Drink Coffee Before or After My Hair Transplant?

At My Hair UK we understand that coffee is an essential part of many people's daily routines. However, when preparing for your hair transplant, it’s important to refrain from consuming any form of caffeine on the day of the procedure. This includes coffee, tea, Coca-Cola, Red Bull, or any energy drinks.

This is a brief guide from our surgical team as to why, and how it can negatively affect your transplant procedure:

Coffee Before Or After Hair Transplant

Can I Drink Coffee Before a Hair Transplant?


1. Caffeine and Local Anaesthetic


One of the key reasons we ask you to avoid caffeine before the hair or beard transplant procedure is its effect on local anaesthesia. Caffeine can interfere with the anaesthetic’s effectiveness, potentially leading to discomfort during the procedure. This could cause unnecessary delays or require adjustments to the anaesthesia, which we want to avoid. To ensure the local anaesthetic works properly, we recommend that you skip caffeine on the day of your transplant.


2. Caffeine as a Vasodilator


Caffeine is a vasodilator, meaning it causes blood vessels to expand. This can increase blood flow, which may lead to excessive bleeding during the transplant procedure. Bleeding can complicate the process, making it more difficult to achieve the best results. To reduce this risk, avoiding caffeine before your surgery is important for a smoother, safer experience.


3. Caffeine and Blood Pressure


Caffeine can also cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. For some individuals, this increase can be more significant, which could potentially lead to complications during the procedure. Keeping blood pressure stable is critical for the safety of the procedure, as higher blood pressure could raise the risk of bleeding and make the procedure more difficult to perform. By avoiding caffeine, you help keep your blood pressure within a normal range, contributing to a safer procedure.

Can I Drink Coffee After a Hair Transplant?


Once your hair transplant is complete, we suggest continuing to avoid caffeine for at least 48 hours. While this is unlikely to cause your hair transplant to fail, it can help promote healing and contribute to a more comfortable recovery and very high doses in particular should be avoided.


1. Healing and Hydration


The healing process after a hair transplant requires adequate hydration to ensure proper tissue repair. Caffeine, being a stimulant, can lead to dehydration, which can hinder recovery. Staying hydrated is essential to support the healing of your scalp and transplanted follicles, and reducing caffeine intake during the first 48 hours ensures that your body isn’t overstimulated or dehydrated. This can help facilitate a smoother recovery.


2. Reducing Swelling and Inflammation


Caffeine can sometimes increase levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, which can result in increased swelling and inflammation. This is not ideal after a hair transplant, as controlling inflammation is key to ensuring the best possible healing. By avoiding caffeine during the early stages of recovery, you can reduce the likelihood of increased inflammation and support a more efficient healing process.

3. Controlling Blood Pressure and Bleeding


While caffeine’s impact on blood pressure is typically short-lived, it’s still beneficial to avoid it for the first 48 hours after surgery. As with pre-surgery guidelines, stable blood pressure helps minimise the risk of bleeding during recovery. By maintaining stable blood pressure and avoiding stimulants, you aid your body’s healing process and increase your chances of a smooth recovery.



By avoiding coffee and other caffeinated drinks like tea both before and after your hair transplant, you ensure the best possible outcome. This simple step helps the anaesthesia work effectively, reduces bleeding, and supports your healing process.

If you have any further questions about caffeine, your recovery, or anything else related to your hair transplant, feel free to contact us. Our team is dedicated to supporting you throughout every step of your journey.

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