HAIR TRANSPLANT – AFTERCARE INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
This leaflet provides general guidance to help you understand what to expect after your hair transplant procedure. Recovery varies from person to person, so your experience may differ slightly. Please follow the advice given by your surgical team, as proper aftercare plays an important role in graft survival and long-term hair growth
Before you leave the hospital
MEDICATIONS
You will be given the relevant aftercare products and instructions before discharge. Please use all medications and products exactly as advised by your clinical team. Avoid ibuprofen for the first 72 hours unless specifically advised otherwise by the clinic.
SPRAYING THE GRAFTS
For the first 24 hours, spray the transplanted area every 30 minutes while awake using the spray provided. This helps keep the grafts hydrated during the most delicate stage of healing.
TRANSPORT
Please arrange for someone to take you home after your procedure. Avoid driving immediately after surgery unless your clinical team has advised that it is safe to do so.
When You Get Home
General Expectations
- It is normal to see redness, small scabs and mild swelling after a hair transplant.
- The donor area may feel tender for a few days.
- The transplanted grafts are delicate in the early stages, so avoid touching them.
- The scalp may feel tight, numb, itchy or sensitive during the early healing period.
- The appearance in the first few days is not the final result and will improve steadily with healing.
Treatment Details
- Stay well hydrated and eat normally after the procedure.
- You may gently dab moisture around the area with a towel, but avoid direct contact with the grafts.
- If you prefer, the spray bottle may be kept in the fridge.
- Spray the transplanted area every 30 minutes while awake for the first 24 hours.
- Avoid touching the transplanted hairs.
- After 24 hours, you may begin gently washing the donor area only using the foaming shampoo provided.
- Once the saline has finished, you may continue spraying the transplanted area with clean tap water.
- This helps reduce scab formation and keeps the grafts hydrated.
- Continue washing the donor area only with the foaming shampoo provided.
- Apply the foaming shampoo directly to the transplanted area once daily.
- Leave it in place for 2–5 minutes, then rinse gently with warm water.
- Avoid touching the area directly with your hands or placing the bottle against the grafts.
- Avoid power showers, hats, hair products, towel drying and blow drying.
- Allow the hair to air dry naturally.
- You may continue spraying the area if it feels itchy.
- Continue washing the donor area once per day.
- Wash the transplanted area with the foaming shampoo for 2–5 minutes.
- Once the area is fully wet, begin gently massaging the scabs using your fingertips.
- If the scabs do not come away easily, rinse again and massage gently.
- Do not pick at the scabs with your fingernails.
- Most or all scabs should be gone by around day 13.
- You may begin wearing a baseball cap from day 7 onwards if needed.
- You may wash the scalp more thoroughly using both hands to remove any remaining crusts.
- You may now cut or colour your hair.
- You may resume using styling products.
- You may gradually return to physical activity, but avoid strenuous exercise for 4 weeks.
Medical hair loss treatment may be recommended by your clinical team from this stage onwards to support ongoing hair growth and long-term results. Please only start this if it has been prescribed or advised specifically for you.
- Swelling may occur within 24–48 hours after surgery and usually settles within 7–10 days.
- Mild bleeding from the donor area can happen and is usually not a cause for concern.
- Numbness or tingling of the scalp is common and can last for several weeks or, in some cases, longer.
- Mild discomfort is expected in the first few days and should improve steadily.
- Only use the products advised by the clinic during the early healing period.
- Avoid rubbing, scratching or aggressively washing the scalp.
- Do not use power showers directly onto the scalp.
- Allow the hair to air dry naturally in the early stages.
For the first few weeks:
- Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy sweating.
- Avoid any activity that may knock, rub or disturb the grafts.
- Gentle walking is fine and may help you feel more comfortable.
Avoid:
- Smoking where possible, as it may affect healing
- Alcohol in the early recovery phase if advised by your team
- Any intense activity before the scalp has settled
Avoid sunburn on the scalp at all times.
Days 1–14:
- No swimming in chlorinated pools
- Sea swimming is permitted if specifically advised and the area is protected
- Stay in the shade if outdoors
After Day 14:
- You may swim in pools
- Apply sun lotion to the scalp once healed enough to do so
- Wear a cap during sun exposure
Avoid sunburn on the scalp at all times.
Days 1–14:
- No swimming in chlorinated pools
- Sea swimming is permitted if specifically advised and the area is protected
- Stay in the shade if outdoors
After Day 14:
- You may swim in pools
- Apply sun lotion to the scalp once healed enough to do so
- Wear a cap during sun exposure
Hair Growth Timeline
- Day 14: Transplanted hairs are usually securely embedded.
- Weeks 6–8: Transplanted hairs often shed — this is normal.
- Month 3: New hair growth usually begins, often fine at first.
- Months 6–9: A significant proportion of new hairs will usually have appeared.
- Up to Month 18: Final results may continue to develop as the hair matures.
Possible Symptoms That Are Normal
- Redness and mild swelling
- Small scabs or crusting
- Tenderness in the donor area
- Numbness or tingling
- Temporary shedding of transplanted hairs
- Mild itching during healing
Long-Term Recovery
- The transplanted hairs will usually shed before new growth begins.
- Early growth may appear fine at first before becoming thicker over time.
- Hair growth continues to improve over many months.
- Final results can take up to 18 months to fully mature.
If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, please contact the clinic.
Please contact the clinic urgently, or seek urgent medical advice out of hours, if you experience:
- Increasing redness, swelling or pain
- Pus or discharge from the scalp
- Fever or feeling unwell
- Bleeding that does not settle
- Severe or worsening pain not improving with medication
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