Merchant City Medical Group offers surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, from our state of the art clinics throughout the UK & Europe.

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.
hair transplant procedure

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
These usually improve steadily over the first few days and weeks.

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 Are Unsure

If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, please contact the clinic.

Follow-Up Appointment

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
Excellence Record
Merchant City Medical Group is proud to be one of the leading providers of hair transplant surgery and medical aesthetics. Our team is committed to supporting you before, during and after your procedure.
  • 30+ Years of combined experience
  • 10+ Experts
  • 1000+ Satisfied Patients
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Related Hair Restoration Treatments

Merchant City Medical Group provides several hair restoration procedures in Glasgow, including:

Excellence Record

Merchant City Medical Group is proud to be one of the leading providers of Hair Transplant Surgeries and Medical Aesthetics within the UK and Europe. With our extensive team of expert surgeons, nurse practitioners and consultants, you will be met with the utmost dedication and compassion throughout your journey with us.

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Cosmetic Procedure Screening Questionnaire

It can be used as a screening questionnaire to tell whether you might have BDD.

1) How often do you do you deliberately check your feature(s)? Not accidentally catch sight of it. Please include looking at your feature in a mirror or other reflective surfaces like a shop window or looking at it directly or feeling it with your fingers.
2) To what extent do you feel your feature(s) are currently ugly, unattractive or ‘not right’?
3) To what extent does your feature(s) currently cause you a lot of distress?
4) How often does your feature(s) currently lead you to avoid situations or activities?
5) To what extent does your feature(s) currently preoccupy you? That is, you think about it a lot and it is hard to stop thinking about it?
6) If you have a partner, to what extent does your feature(s) currently have an effect on your relationship with an existing partner? (e.g. affectionate feelings, number of arguments, enjoying activities together). If you do not have a partner, to what extent does your feature(s) currently have an effect on dating or developing a relationship?
7) To what extent does your feature(s) currently interfere with your ability to work or study, or your role as a homemaker? (Please rate this even if you are not working or studying: we are interested in your ability to work or study.)
8) To what extent does your feature(s) currently interfere with your social life? (with other people, e.g. parties, pubs, clubs, outings, visits, home entertainment)
9) To what extent, do you feel your appearance is the most important aspect of who you are?

Do I have BDD?

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

You have scored 0

When you score more than 40 points, this is an indication that you likely have Body Dysmorphic Disorder. However, this is not a formal diagnosis. This test can also be used after a treatment to see if symptoms have improved.

What now?

For more information on BDD and support, you can contact us.

If you are a UK resident, we suggest:

    • reaching out to your GP for more help
    • self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies.

When speaking to a health professional, you may present your clinic history or a printed form to clearly outline the symptoms you’ve experienced.