After a hair transplant or cosmetic procedure in Beirut: what to ask the pharmacist before you fly home

Beirut is a well-known regional destination for hair transplants, cosmetic dermatology, laser, plastic surgery and dentistry. People come from Iraq, the Gulf and Jordan for a couple of days or a week, then fly home. The question we hear at the counter every day: "The doctor gave me this list. Where do I start?"

First: fill the clinic's prescription

Most clinics give a prescription after the procedure. Bring it, or send a photo on WhatsApp, and we'll prepare it. At pickup we go over three things with you: when to take each medicine, what might clash with your regular treatments, and whether the quantity lasts until your follow-up or the end of the period the doctor set.

Second: the daily care your doctor allows

Gentle cleansing

Skin or scalp is more sensitive than usual after any procedure. Fragrance-free cleansers without harsh soap are the safe choice once the doctor allows washing. On our shelves, Cetaphil, CeraVe and A-Derma are there for exactly this.

Moisturising and barrier repair

After laser and peels the skin needs a simply formulated moisturiser. Ask your doctor about La Roche-Posay Cicaplast or the ceramide creams from CeraVe, which are among the most requested in these cases.

Sunscreen is not optional

Treated skin pigments easily in the sun, and the sun in Baghdad or the Gulf is harsher than Beirut's. SPF 50+, reapplied every two hours outdoors, from the day your doctor allows it. Our sunscreen guide explains the difference between textures.

After a hair transplant

The first days follow a protocol set precisely by the clinic: when washing starts, with which shampoo, and how. Don't improvise. Once the doctor clears you to return to normal care, we'll help you choose a gentle scalp shampoo from Ducray or Vichy Dercos.

Third: what to postpone

• Any new product your doctor didn't mention, however "natural".
• Exfoliants, acids and retinol until the doctor explicitly says so.
• High-dose supplements and vitamins without asking. Some affect bleeding or interact with post-procedure medicines. Five questions before buying any supplement.

Fourth: the going-home kit

The most important weeks of recovery happen at home, where you may not find the same product easily. The day before you fly:

• Work out with the pharmacist a quantity for the whole aftercare period your doctor set, not just your stay.
• Take dressing supplies if you need them: saline, sterile gauze, gentle medical tape.
• Ask the doctor about flying after the procedure: when it's allowed, and any precautions on the plane.
• Read what to know about travelling with medication, and keep the prescription and invoice with the treatment in your hand luggage.

When to call the doctor straight away

Fever, spreading redness, pain that gets worse instead of better, discharge, or bleeding that won't stop. These aren't pharmacist questions and they don't wait. Call the clinic that did the procedure, or the nearest emergency department if you're already home.

We stay in touch

We're on Ardati Street in Manara, a few minutes from the clinics of Hamra and Verdun. After you're home, any question about using what you bought from us reaches us on WhatsApp, and we answer. See the skincare we stock.