The first ten days after a hair transplant are the most important for your grafts. During this time they settle into the scalp, and gentle care protects them while small scabs form and fall off. After that, aftercare is mostly about patience: the transplanted hairs shed, and new growth starts at around three to four months. The guide below follows the instructions most patients receive; your own doctor’s instructions always take priority.
The first 48 hours
You leave the clinic with a bandage over the donor area and the grafts uncovered. Mild soreness and tightness are normal, and pain relief is given. Swelling of the forehead often appears on the second or third day and can move down towards the eyes before settling within a few days.
- Do not touch, scratch or press on the transplanted area.
- Avoid bending over and heavy lifting, which increase swelling.
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke; both slow healing.
- Take only the medicines you were given, and ask before taking blood thinners or aspirin.
Washing your hair
Your first wash is done at the clinic after about 48 hours, where you are shown how to wash at home. For about the next 10 days you usually wash once a day:
- 1Apply the lotion or foam you were given to the transplanted area and leave it on as instructed, to soften the scabs.
- 2Rinse gently with lukewarm water from a cup or a low-pressure shower, never a strong jet.
- 3Apply the shampoo by dabbing it on with your fingertips; do not rub the grafts.
- 4Rinse again and let your hair dry naturally, or pat the donor area lightly with a paper towel.
From about day 10, once the scabs have gone, you can wash normally, gently massaging the scalp with your fingertips.
Sleeping
Sleep on your back with your head raised on two pillows or a travel pillow for the first 3–4 nights. This reduces swelling and stops the grafts rubbing against the pillow. Many people put a clean towel over the pillow because the donor area can ooze slightly at first. After about a week you can usually return to your normal sleeping position.
Scabs and itching
Small scabs form around each graft in the first days. They usually fall off within about 10 days with gentle daily washing. Do not pick at them, even if they itch: pulling a scab off early can remove the graft. Itching is a normal part of healing; the lotion you were given and gentle washing help. If it is strong, tell your clinic rather than scratching.
Shock loss: when the new hair falls out
Between about weeks 2 and 8, most of the transplanted hairs shed. This is expected. The follicles stay safely in the scalp and start a new growth cycle. Sometimes some existing hair near the transplanted area also sheds temporarily. New, fine hairs usually appear at 3–4 months, a clear change is visible at around 6 months and the final result shows at about 12 months, a little later for the crown.
Your first haircut: scissors or clippers?
A haircut is one of the most common questions after a transplant. Wait until the scalp has fully healed and any redness has settled. As a general guide:
| What | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Scissor trim of the existing hair | From about 4 weeks |
| Clippers on the sides and back (donor area) | From about 4 weeks, avoiding a very short setting at first |
| Clippers on the transplanted area | From about 2–3 months |
| Shaving the transplanted area to the skin | Ask your doctor; usually not before about 6 months |
| Hair colouring or chemical treatments | Ask your doctor; usually not before about 4–6 weeks |
Tell your barber about your transplant. Ask them to avoid pressing hard with clippers or combs on the transplanted area, and to use gentle water pressure when washing.
Caring for the donor area
The back and sides of the head, where the grafts were taken, heal quickly. Tiny red dots are visible for a few days and usually fade within one to two weeks as the short hair grows back over them. Numbness or tingling in the donor area is common and settles over weeks. Wash it gently in the same way as the transplanted area, and use any cream you were given only as instructed.
Sport, sun, swimming and caps
- Walking is fine from the first days.
- Light exercise can usually start after about 2 weeks, more intense sport after about 2–4 weeks; avoid contact sports and anything that makes you sweat heavily in the first two weeks.
- Swimming pools, the sea, saunas and steam rooms: after about 4 weeks.
- Sun: protect the scalp for about 4 weeks; after that use a hat or sun protection on the scalp when outdoors for longer periods.
- Caps and hats: none for 7–10 days, then only a loose one that does not rub the grafts.
- Back to desk work: most people return after 5–7 days.
When to contact your doctor
- Redness that spreads, increasing pain or warmth
- Pus, a bad smell or fever
- Bleeding that does not stop after gentle pressure with clean gauze
- Swelling that keeps increasing after the fourth day, or swelling around the eyes that affects your vision
Small pimples can appear as new hairs grow through at a few months. They are usually harmless, but show them to your clinic if they are painful or numerous.
Our hair transplant page explains the techniques we offer, your three days in Istanbul and the follow-up you receive in the year after your procedure.
Frequently asked questions
The first wash is done at the clinic after about 48 hours. You then wash gently once a day without rubbing for about 10 days, and normally once the scabs have gone.
A scissor trim is usually fine after about 4 weeks. Clippers on the transplanted area usually wait about 2–3 months. Your doctor advises on your own timing.
Yes. Shedding between weeks 2 and 8 (shock loss) is normal. The follicles stay in place and new hair starts to grow at around 3–4 months.
Walking straight away, light exercise after about 2 weeks and more intense sport after about 2–4 weeks. Swimming and saunas after about 4 weeks.
On your back with your head raised for the first 3–4 nights, to reduce swelling and protect the grafts.
