What are the don'ts after hair transplant?

Author: Dr. Israel Koch  |  Last update: Friday, October 17, 2025

DONT's After a Hair Transplant. DON'T: Sleep flat on your tummy or side, or rub your new hairline against a pillow. DON'T be alarmed if you experience swelling, especially on days 3 and 4 after the surgery. DON'T: Apply any ice directly to the transplanted areas of your scalp.

What can't you do after a hair transplant?

18 Things to Avoid After a Hair Transplant Procedure
  • Driving.
  • Sleeping Flat.
  • Ignoring Your Labels.
  • Forgetting The Ice.
  • Scrubbing Your Hair Or Shower.
  • Dyeing Your Hair.
  • Forgetting To Drink Water.
  • Assuming Your Hair Won't Fall Out.

What makes a hair transplant fail?

Common causes of poor outcomes include inexperienced surgeons, low-quality grafts, outdated surgical techniques, and insufficient graft numbers, leading to unnatural results and visible scars.

Can I touch my grafts after 7 days?

If you follow the surgeon's recovery and aftercare advice, after around five to seven days, the hair grafts should be secure enough for you to gently wash your hair although you should not touch it by hand. Generally, grafts are fully secure between 10 and 14 days after the hair transplant procedure.

How long after a hair transplant can I scratch my head?

This normally takes about 14 days after a hair transplant, but it is best to refrain from scratching your transplanted area with your fingernails for at least a few months post-surgery. Light rubbing or scratching, with the flat side of your fingers, should be safe about 3 weeks after your hair restoration.

What are the do's and don’ts after hair transplantation? | Dr. Gaurav Tiwari | Ayu Health

What if I accidentally touched my hair grafts?

During the first two weeks, these grafts are not secure and are susceptible to damage. Rubbing the area of newly transplanted hair could lead to grafts becoming dislodged. Dislodged hair follicles may not grow, and your final results may not be what you hoped for.

Why no coffee after hair transplant?

Caffeine is a stimulant that can raise blood pressure and accelerate heart rate. These effects can be detrimental in the delicate context of post-operative healing. During the healing phase, grafts implanted in the scalp are particularly vulnerable. They need time to anchor firmly in their new location.

How do I know if I damaged a hair graft?

Some signs that your hair transplant has gone wrong include: Poor growth of transplanted hair. A weird-looking hairline. Visible scars on the scalp.

How to speed up hair transplant recovery?

Tips for a Successful Hair Transplant Recovery Process
  1. Downtime Matters. First and foremost, make sure you get plenty of downtime. ...
  2. Avoid Exercise and Strenuous Activities. ...
  3. Don't Wash Up Just Yet. ...
  4. Skip the Headwear. ...
  5. Alcohol and Nicotine. ...
  6. Scratching/Itching and Sunlight.

When can I sleep on my grafts?

From day 14 and on, you can sleep normally in any position. About 10 days after surgery, you can sleep almost without any discomfort. But it's important to avoid putting too much pressure on the hair grafts, as this could damage them. It's also best to avoid sleeping face down until 14 days after your procedure.

What are the disadvantages of hair transplant?

Complications of hair transplant surgery
  • risks of general anaesthesia, including allergic reaction, which may (rarely) be fatal.
  • surgical risks such as bleeding or infection.
  • scars that may be severe, raised, reddened and itchy.
  • nerve damage, including permanent loss of sensation.
  • death of the skin grafts.

How to boost hair transplant results?

Some popular supplements that help achieve optimal transplant results include biotin, Vitamin D and E, and minerals like Zinc and iron. If you want to achieve the ideal hair transplant before and after results, sticking to taking these medications and supplements is an absolute must.

What happens 10 years after a hair transplant?

What happens 10 years after hair transplant? After 10 years the transplanted hair will (or should) still be present and growing strong. The length results will last depend on factors like surgeon expertise, and if you followed the post-operative instructions.

How to hide a hair transplant?

Wear a loose-fitting hat

Whether you are a laid-back, baseball cap kind of guy, a hip beanie bro or prefer a stylish Panama, headwear can cover up any traces of a hair transplant. They can comfortably obscure any traces of shock loss, as well as any donor area scarring. They can also complete your overall style.

What is the best age for hair transplant?

The best age patients should be considering hair transplant surgery is when they are between 30-45. The most common age patients have surgery tends to be when they have turned 30 or older.

What food is not allowed after hair transplant?

It is best to avoid spicy foods for the first few days after a hair transplant, as they can irritate the scalp. After the initial healing period, you can slowly reintroduce spicy foods into your diet.

How long after a hair transplant does it look best?

Most patients see results between six and nine months after surgery. For some patients, it takes 12 months. It's important to know that between two and eight weeks after the surgery, the transplanted hair will fall out. This is normal.

How much does a hair transplant cost in the USA?

Hair transplant surgery can range from $3,000 to more than $15,000. The average cost is $6,000 to $12,000. Hair restoration surgery can be successful for men and women. Your costs will vary based on the type of procedure, where you have the treatment, your surgeon's fees, and other factors.

Which food is best after a hair transplant?

Foods To Eat After Hair Transplant

Apple, Avocado, Berries, Orange, Lemon, Kiwi, Tomato, Mango, Pineapple, Banana… Rich in vitamins C, E, B3, B6, B7 (biotin), and fibres these fruits will help you with the newly growing hair cells after hair transplant.

Is it necessary to spray saline water after hair transplant?

The doctor recommends using the saline solution for 5-7 days after the hair transplant procedure and using it until you no longer need it. Due to different parameters such as health, atmosphere, age, hair type, etc., every person has a recovery process.

How much does Bosley cost?

The majority of our procedures cost between $6,000 and $12,000. Plus, we offer 3rd party financing and low monthly payments. It's best to schedule a consultation with our team to get an accurate estimate for your specific needs and hair growth goals.

How common is graft failure?

The incidence of graft failure (GF) is <3–5% in the auto- and matched allo-HCT setting, but it increases up to 10% in the cases of haploidentical or CBT. The prognosis of GF is poor, and most patients die due to infections or bleeding, with an OS at 3–5 years after the diagnosis of GF in the range of 20–30%.

When can I use clippers on transplanted hair?

Six Months Post-Transplant

Six months after the hair transplant, your hair will have grown significantly, and the transplanted follicles will be well-established. You can start using clippers more freely, but always follow your surgeon's advice to avoid any potential risks.

How long to use a neck pillow after a hair transplant?

How long to Sleep with a Neck Pillow after a Hair Transplant? Generally, our patients report that the first 5-7 days (sometimes as long as day 10) are the days where sleeping with a neck pillow are the most important in order to protect the newly transplanted grafts and help with the donor area healing.

When to take biotin after hair transplant?

Hair transplant experts recommend Biotin be used a minimum of 6 months after the operation. The trauma on the scalp caused by the hair transplant procedure doesn't damage the hair follicles but changes the hair growth phase and leads to shock loss.

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