How to Prepare for a CT Scan

This guide outlines how to prepare for your CT scan, including what to wear, eating and drinking instructions, and information about contrast dye. Following these steps helps ensure accurate images and a smooth appointment.

New to CT? Read What Is a CT Scan and How Does It Work? for a simple overview before your appointment.

Check your referral

Your referral form or booking confirmation will specify whether your scan requires contrast. Preparation can differ depending on the type of CT ordered by your doctor.

Unsure why CT was requested? See Why Your Doctor Might Refer You for a CT Scan.

General preparation

  • Bring your referral, Medicare card, and any previous imaging if available.
  • Arrive 10–15 minutes before your appointment to complete forms.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing without metal zips, belts, or buttons.
  • Leave jewellery, watches, and piercings at home when possible.
  • Continue taking your usual medications unless instructed otherwise.

Fasting and hydration

  • If your scan uses contrast, avoid eating for 2–4 hours before your appointment.
  • Drink water to stay hydrated; clear fluids are usually fine.
  • If your scan does not use contrast, you can generally eat and drink normally.

Learn how contrast affects preparation in CT Scan with Contrast vs Without Contrast.

Patients with diabetes or kidney conditions

  • Tell us if you have diabetes or kidney problems. These conditions can affect how your body handles contrast dye.
  • If you take metformin, you may need to pause it temporarily after your scan. We will give specific instructions.
  • Bring a list of current medications with you.

Contrast injection preparation

  • For contrast scans, a small IV cannula will be placed in your arm.
  • Let staff know if you have had any reaction to iodine contrast before.
  • Inform us of asthma, allergies, thyroid disease, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For more on safety, read Are CT Scans Safe?

Pregnancy and children

  • If you are or might be pregnant, inform us before your scan. We will assess whether CT is necessary or suggest an alternative such as ultrasound or MRI.
  • For children, we tailor scanning protocols to keep radiation dose as low as possible.

On the day of your scan

  1. Arrive a few minutes early to complete your questionnaire.
  2. Remove metal items and change into a gown if required.
  3. If contrast is used, you will have a brief consultation before the injection.
  4. Relax and follow the radiographer’s instructions during the scan.

Curious what happens during the scan? Read What to Expect During a CT Scan.

After your scan

  • If you had contrast, drink extra water through the day to help flush it from your body.
  • You can eat, drink, and resume normal activities immediately unless told otherwise.
  • If you notice redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site, contact us or your GP.

Quick checklist

  • Referral and Medicare card ready
  • Loose, metal-free clothing
  • Follow fasting instructions if contrast is used
  • Drink water before and after
  • Arrive early to allow time for paperwork

In summary

Most CT scans require little preparation. Following these simple steps helps ensure clear images and a safe, efficient experience. If you are unsure about fasting, medications, or contrast, contact our team before your appointment.

Buy Minoxidil Online In Australia – The Complete Review. Visit Our Pharmacy ↓


Minoxidil: The Australian Doctor’s Review That Could Save Your Hair

Written for men and women over 30 who are tired of watching their hair thin.

Attention: The Mirror Doesn’t Lie — Hair Loss After 30 Is Common, but It Is Not Hopeless

As a doctor in Australia, I hear it every week: “Doctor, my hairbrush looks like a small animal died in it,” or “My part line is getting wider,” or “I’ve stopped wearing ponytails because my temples look bald.” If you are over 30, you may be dealing with hormonal changes after pregnancy or menopause, years of tight hairstyles, heat styling, or simply genetic hair loss. The emotional toll is real. You may avoid photos, feel less confident at work, or even consider expensive wigs. But here is what I want you to know: there is a clinically proven, TGA-approved treatment that has been helping Australians regrow hair for decades. It is called minoxidil.

Interest: Why Minoxidil Is the First-Line Medical Treatment

Minoxidil is one of the most studied hair regrowth treatments in the world. Originally developed as a blood pressure tablet, researchers noticed it caused hair growth, and it was later made into a topical liquid and foam. In Australia, you can buy it over the counter at Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, and other pharmacies without a prescription.

Minoxidil at a Glance
Key PointDetails
What is it?Topical minoxidil 2% or 5% solution or foam
TGA approvalYes, for hereditary hair loss in men and women
How it worksWidens blood vessels, improves follicle blood supply, prolongs the anagen (growth) phase
Who can use itAdults over 18; especially relevant over 30
Time to see resultsFirst stabilisation at 2–3 months; visible regrowth at 4–6 months; best at 12 months
Common starting side effectTemporary shedding in the first 2–6 weeks (not permanent)

Unlike shampoos that claim to “thicken” hair by coating the shaft, minoxidil actually works at the level of the hair follicle to keep hairs in the growing phase longer and wake up dormant follicles. That is why doctors trust it.

Desire: Minoxidil Tackles Your Real-Life Hair Loss Triggers

Minoxidil for Traction Alopecia

If you have worn tight braids, weaves, extensions, or even a very tight ponytail for years, you may have traction alopecia — hair loss that occurs where the hair is pulled too hard for too long. In Australian multicultural communities, this is especially common. The good news? Provided the follicles are not permanently scarred, minoxidil can help revive them. I advise patients to stop tight hairstyles immediately and apply minoxidil once daily to the affected edges. Over several months, many see fluffy new baby hairs along the hairline and nape. Minoxidil does not just cover the spot; it encourages real regrowth.

Can Minoxidil Cause Hair Loss Initially?

This is the number one reason patients stop treatment too early. In the first 2–6 weeks, some users notice more hair falling out. This is called “minoxidil dread shed.” It is not a sign that minoxidil is making you balder. It is a sign that the medication is working: it pushes out old, telogen (resting) hairs to make room for new, thicker anagen hairs. If you stop at week three, you will miss the regrowth that follows. As a doctor, I tell my patients to expect it and keep going. The hair you lose during dread shed was going to fall out anyway; minoxidil is simply speeding up the replacement cycle.

Minoxidil and Hair Colour Change Reports

Some patients tell me they think minoxidil changed their hair colour. True colour change is rare. More often, the new hair is thicker, stronger, and reflects light differently, so it may appear slightly darker or more vibrant. Minoxidil does not contain dye or bleach. If you colour your hair, you can continue — just apply minoxidil to the scalp and wait for it to dry before applying hair colour or heat. If you notice any unusual dryness, switch to the foam formulation, which is less irritating.

Minoxidil for Menopause Hair Thinning

For women over 45, dropping oestrogen levels can trigger diffuse thinning at the crown and a widening part. Minoxidil is a first-line treatment for female pattern hair loss in Australia. Many menopausal women see excellent results using 2% twice daily or 5% once daily, as directed. It can be used alongside HRT in most cases, but please discuss with your GP. The key is to start early — the longer the follicle sits dormant, the harder it is to wake up.

Minoxidil Versus Wigs and Hairpieces

I am often asked whether it is better to just buy a wig. Wigs have their place, but for most people over 30 with active hair follicles, minoxidil is the smarter first choice.

Minoxidil vs Wigs/Hairpieces
FactorMinoxidilWigs / Hairpieces
Treats the underlying causeYes — stimulates dormant folliclesNo — only hides hair loss
Monthly costAround $25–$50Upfront $500–$5,000 plus maintenance
Comfort in Australian heatNo added heat; your own hair breathesCan be hot, itchy, and sweaty
Risk of worsening lossLow; temporary dread shed then regrowthTight clips or adhesive can worsen traction alopecia
Daily confidenceGradual, natural regrowth you can feelConstant worry about shifting, wind, or swimming

Minoxidil won’t give you a full head of hair overnight, but it gives you your own hair back — and nothing beats that.

Minoxidil and Heat Styling Tools

Australian women and men love their straighteners, curling wands, and blow-dryers. Heat damages the hair shaft and can make thinning look worse, but it does not stop minoxidil from working because minoxidil targets the follicle under the scalp. My advice: apply minoxidil to a clean, dry scalp, let it dry completely, then style as usual. Use a heat protectant and keep tools on a low-to-medium setting. If you can, give your hair one or two heat-free days per week.

Should I Wash My Hair Before Applying Minoxidil?

Yes, whenever practical. Minoxidil absorbs best through a clean, oil-free scalp. Wash with a mild, sulphate-free shampoo, rinse well, and dry your hair or at least towel-dry your scalp. Apply the recommended dose directly to the thinning area, not the hair lengths. Do not apply to dripping wet hair — it can run onto your face and reduce contact time. If you are using foam, half a capful is typical. If using liquid, 1 mL is standard. Once daily is enough for many people, especially women using 5%.

Minoxidil for Hair Loss in Australia

Minoxidil is TGA-approved and widely available over the counter in Australia. Our climate brings extra challenges: strong UV rays can weaken the hair shaft, and summer sweat can make some topical products feel runny. But minoxidil still works. I suggest applying it at night, so it stays on the scalp while you sleep. During the day, wear a hat and use sunscreen on exposed scalp. Australian pharmacies stock minoxidil, and pharmacists can help you choose between solution and foam.

Action: Take Control of Your Hair Loss Today

If you are over 30 and your hair is thinning, every month you wait makes regrowth harder. Minoxidil is not a miracle, but it is the closest thing we have to one for early pattern hair loss. It is affordable, available without prescription, and supported by decades of clinical use. Start tonight: take a clear photo of your hairline and crown in good light, buy a TGA-approved minoxidil product from your local pharmacy, and apply it exactly as directed. Expect the dread shed, but do not stop. In four to six months, you will likely see new hair where you thought none would grow again.

Talk to your pharmacist or GP today. Ask for minoxidil 5% foam or solution. Your hair — and your confidence — are worth it.



viagra
kamagra oral jelly
gabapentin

Billing Information

We offer accessible services by bulk billing almost all examinations and procedures.  To find out more, visit our billing information page.

View Billing Information
Request an Appointment

Request a call back online – it’s quick, and easy and saves waiting on the phone. Click on the below link and follow the simple steps. Remember to have your referral handy.

Call-Back Request
  • South Australia government logo
  • siemens
  • canon
  • fujifilm
  • ge_healthcare
  • shimadzu
  • hologic
  • asar
  • college-of-radiologists-new-zealand
  • diagnostic-imaging-service-accredited
  • asa
  • CrowdIT-Logo@1x
  • intelepacs
  • kestral
  • Lumicare_Gradient
  • CamHealth Logo jpg(1)
  • Inmed logo
  • aice
Book an Appointment

Error: Contact form not found.

Focus-appointment
Close button
Jobs at Vision Radiology

    Upload your CV

    Choose a file

    Please upload your CV here.

    Close button