The first 10 days after a hair transplant: day-by-day care and what to avoid

Dr Otgen Clinic guide

The result of a hair transplant is not decided on the day of surgery alone. The first 10 days are when the grafts anchor in the channels that were opened for them, and the recipient area is at its most delicate. Small mistakes in this period — pressing on the grafts, picking scabs, heavy exercise too early — can damage them. The timeline below is a general framework; the aftercare instructions you are given always come first.

Why are the first 10 days so important?

During a hair transplant, follicular units (grafts) are placed into small channels opened with sapphire blades or an implanter pen. The grafts start anchoring to the surrounding tissue in the first days and remain sensitive to outside forces for roughly the first week. That is why the rules in the first days are much stricter than in the months that follow.

By day 10 most scabs have fallen off, redness has eased and most people are back to their social routine. The transplanted hair itself only starts growing months later; we explain that month by month in a separate guide.

Surgery day and the first night

Because the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, numbness lasts a few hours. The donor area (usually the back of the head) is dressed, while the recipient area is often left uncovered. When you leave the clinic you need to protect your head from knocks and friction.

On the first night you are advised to sleep on your back with your head raised. This position reduces swelling that can travel down to the forehead and around the eyes, and keeps the recipient area from rubbing against the pillow. A travel neck pillow helps because it makes it harder to roll onto your side.

• Do not touch, scratch or press on the recipient area
• Take the medication your doctor prescribed exactly as instructed; do not add anything on your own
• Avoid alcohol and smoking; both can impair circulation and healing
• Bending over and heavy lifting can increase forehead swelling, so avoid them in the first days

Days 1–3: swelling and the first wash

Swelling of the forehead and around the eyes may appear during these days. It usually becomes most noticeable on the second or third day and then slowly subsides. Cold compresses may be applied to the forehead (not the recipient area) as your doctor describes.

The first wash is done on the day your doctor specifies and, in most plans, at the clinic. Doing it at the clinic allows the team to show you how to wash and to check the recipient area. After that you continue the same method at home.

• Water should be poured gently over the recipient area, never sprayed under pressure
• Do not try to lift scabs with your fingernails
• Avoid tight hats, beanies or helmets; if you need to go out, ask your doctor about a loose hat that does not touch the grafts

Days 4–7: scabbing and itching

Small scabs form around each graft in the recipient area. This is a normal part of healing. Daily washing softens the scabs; pulling them off by force can dislodge the graft.

Itching is common in this period and is a sign of healing. Instead of scratching, leaving the lotion on for the recommended time during the wash and using the care products your doctor recommends will bring relief. If the itching becomes unbearable or the redness increases, let the clinic know.

The small wounds in the donor area also start closing during these days. Temporary numbness or tenderness at the back of the head is possible and usually settles within weeks.

Days 8–10: scabs fall off and you return to social life

In most people the scabs fall off between days 7 and 14. It is normal for short hair shafts to come away with the scabs; the follicle stays under the skin. This is not the same as the shock loss described later.

Redness fades and most people who work at a desk return to work during this period. How long redness lasts depends on skin type; it may last a little longer in people with fair skin.

Common mistakes in the first 10 days

• Picking scabs before they have dried or softened
• Aiming the shower head directly at the recipient area under strong pressure
• Heavy exercise, swimming pools, the sea, saunas or Turkish baths too early
• Leaving the recipient area exposed to direct sun for long periods
• Applying products you read about online to the recipient area without asking your doctor
• Postponing your follow-up appointment or questions from the clinic

Light walking is possible after a few days. For strenuous exercise, swimming and sports that make you sweat heavily, the usual wait is at least 2–4 weeks; your doctor will give you the exact timing.

When should you contact the clinic?

The following are outside normal healing in the first days. If you notice any of them, contact the team that performed your procedure without waiting:

• Fever or chills
• Increasing redness, warmth and pain in the recipient or donor area
• Foul-smelling or pus-like discharge
• Bleeding that cannot be controlled
• Swelling around the eyes severe enough to affect your vision

If you are travelling from another city or abroad

The procedure is completed in one day; because the first wash and check-up usually take place at the clinic in the following days, patients from abroad stay in Turkey for 3–4 days in most plans. Your doctor sets the exact schedule.

On the journey home, avoid hats that press on your head and make sure a neck pillow does not touch the recipient area. Before you are discharged, find out whom to contact with questions after you return. If you live in Germany, follow-up can also be coordinated through our Leverkusen location.

Frequently asked questions

Dr Otgen Clinic Medical Editors · Last updated: October 6, 2026