Hair loss has become a huge concern affecting millions across the globe and impacting their self-confidence and emotional health. A study reveals that approximately 40% of females and 60% of males experience hair loss by the time they reach 50 years of age [1]. Thankfully, advanced hair restoration procedures, such as hair transplants, are here to transform your appearance and boost your confidence. With modern hair clinics equipped with expert surgeons and the latest techniques, these life-transforming minimally invasive procedures offer high success graft survival rates and natural outcomes. Though you might be relieved that availing this lasting solution can put an end to your hair loss issue, you might have concerns about healing time and what the initial days after surgery might be. This write-up is an informative guide that would inform you about what happens in the 10 days after a hair transplant to recover with clarity.
What to Expect 10 Days After Hair Transplant
During the initial 10 days after a hair transplant surgery, most of you would begin to find specific changes in the way your scalp looks and the level of discomfort. Keep reading to understand what happens during the first 10-day milestone.
- Scab begins to fall: Formation of scabs near the transplanted follicles is quite common after a hair transplant. You will find scabs begin to fall after a week of hair transplant, which is natural. It might also be associated with tightness and irritation. Avoid picking the dried scabs on the scalp, as it might harm the grafts.
- Lower Discomfort and Swelling: During this timeline, tenderness, redness, and swelling would have decreased. There would be less irritation and tightness after a few days of transplant.
- Grafts Begin To Stabilize: The hair follicles that were transplanted would begin to settle in their new place. You will feel comfortable while gently washing or touching the scalp.
- Mild Itchiness: During this healing period, your skin will begin to develop new cells, and it might lead to itchiness. It indicates the healing of the scalp is progressive, but do not scratch the scalp.
- Shock Loss Starts: Some of you would begin to experience slight hair shedding during the first and second week after a hair transplant. It is called shock loss, but it is a temporary side effect. You can expect new hair growth after a few months.
Hair Transplant Recovery Timeline: Day 1 to Day 10
The 10-day timeline after a hair transplant procedure is a major part of your recovery process. During this time, your scalp will begin to exhibit notable signs of healing, helping you stay confident and positive about progress. However, it is essential to remember that this timeline is also crucial for following post-op care to protect the freshly grafted follicles and prevent complications.
1st to 3rd Day: Initial Post-op Period
- Your scalp bandages will be intact for the initial 24 hours after surgery.
- There will be swelling on the scalp, eyes, and forehead, which is normal.
- You might find slight oozing and mild bleeding on the donor sites on the scalp.
4th to 7th Day: Healing Period
- There would be scab or crust formation surrounding the new grafts.
- You will notice swelling on the scalp, eyes, and forehead has reduced.
- Your surgeon may advise you to begin a cleansing routine using specially formulated mild shampoo and saline sprays.
8th to 10th Day: Scab Shedding and Healing
- The scabs will become dry and will begin to naturally fall from the scalp.
- The tenderness, discomfort, and redness would have subsided at a significant pace.
- The transplanted region in the scalp would begin to blend in with the surrounding areas to create a natural look.
Is Hair Shedding Normal After 10 Days?
Though a hair transplant is performed to restore lost hair, finding locks of hair falling at a rapid pace can raise several questions or concerns. You must remember that this unsettling scenario of hair shedding is normal and a vital part of your healing process. It is medically referred to as telogen effluvium or shock loss that occurs around the 10th day after the hair transplant procedure.
It occurs when the follicles in the transplanted site go through a subtle interruption in the growth cycle to reach the resting phase. It will cause the hairs in both non-transplanted and transplanted areas shed rapidly, which doesn’t indicate that the graft survival rate has reduced. After the hair has shed completely, you will notice small hairs growing at a steady pace across the scalp with good density. It is an emotionally challenging side effect of a hair transplant that requires you to stay patient, as new hair will begin to sprout after a few weeks.
Scalp Healing Status After 10 Days of Hair Transplant
The healing process will begin after 10 days of your hair transplant. Here’s how your scalp will show signs of healing:
- Most of the scabs in the transplanted area would have fallen by now.
- There would be no crusts on the scalp
- There might be mild flakiness or dryness near the grafted follicles
- Your surgeon might advise gentle scalp cleaning
Redness Would Be Lesser
- It is common to find your scalp in a subtle red or pink color, especially if you have sensitive skin or a fair complexion.
- You will find the redness fading away within 3 to 4 weeks.
Minimum Pain
- Scalp pain and tenderness would be very little after 10 days of a hair transplant
- Slight itchiness or tightness might be there
Secure Grafts
- After 10 days, the grafts that were transplanted would be secure and firm
- You can wash your scalp normally, perform slight massages, and wear loose caps
Can You Resume Normal Activities After 10 Days?
Even though you will be better after the 10th day of hair transplant, you might have to follow the precautions for protecting the grafts and supporting healing [2].
- Perform Light Tasks: After 10 days of hair transplant, you can gradually perform light activities like doing small household tasks and walking. Do not perform any activities that might cause sweating.
- Everyday Chores: You can resume regular activities at work without lifting any heavy objects.
- Taking Showers: You can take regular showers without scrubbing the scalp. Pat dry your scalp using a soft towel.
- Sleeping: Use a flat pillow to rest your head while sleeping. And use a soft pillow cover with breathable material.
- Sexual Activity: You can engage in mild sexual activity without applying pressure to the head or touching the scalp.
Hair Washing and Grooming After 10 Days
After the 10th day, your scalp can adapt to your regular hair wash routine [3].
- Use Regular Shampoo: After consulting your surgeon, you can use regular shampoo to wash the scalp. Ensure that the shampoo has a gentle formula to prevent dryness and irritation.
- Cleanse As Usual: You can wash the scalp regularly while applying gentle pressure. You must not scratch the scalp or apply pressure to protect the grafts.
- Use Warm Water: You can cleanse the scalp using lukewarm water instead of hot water to prevent irritation.
- Drying Scalp: Allow scalp to air dry or pat gently with a soft cloth. Do not blow-dry until the scalp gets completely healed.
- Moisturize Scalp: To ensure healthy hair growth, it is essential to keep the scalp moisturized.
- No Harsh Procedures: Avoid chemical treatments, hair colors, heat tools, and styling products.
- Scalp Massages: Perform scalp massages regularly using gentle techniques to enhance circulation and boost hair growth.
Signs of Healthy Healing vs Warning Symptoms
Healthy healing signs after hair transplant include [4]:
- Redness or mild pink color scalp that fades in a few weeks
- Slight swelling or puffiness on the eyes, forehead, and scalp
- Tiny crust development and scab formation
- Itchy scalp
- Minor oozing or bleeding during the initial 24 hours
Warning symptoms after a hair transplant [5]
- Persistent redness spreading on the scalp with discolored scabs and greenish-yellow pus are signs of infection
- Acute scalp pain and increased swelling even after 10 days
- Numbness that doesn’t go away even after taking medications
- Heavy scalp bleeding that doesn’t stop
- Dislodged grafts with bleeding near follicles [6]
- Necrosis causing dark skin on the scalp [7]
- Delay in scab healing
If you are already picturing your future hairline while reading this, that is your sign. The recovery phase is temporary, but the results will stay with you for life. If you are exploring options for Hair Transplantation in Hyderabad, this is the right time to take the next step. A consultation will replace uncertainty with clarity. It will also help you move from worrying about hair fall to planning your comeback hairstyle.
Reference Links
- Famenini S, Slaught C, Duan L, Goh C. Demographics of women with female pattern hair loss and the effectiveness of spironolactone therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 Oct;73(4):705-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.06.063. PMID: 26369846; PMCID: PMC4573453. – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4573453/
- Shichang L, Jufang Z, Xiangying Y, Yali W, Li N. Self-management in the post-hair transplantation recovery period among patients with androgenetic alopecia: A qualitative study. Int J Nurs Stud Adv. 2024 Aug 19;7:100234. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100234. PMID: 39282021; PMCID: PMC11401157. – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11401157/
- Vañó-Galván, S., Bisanga, C. N., Bouhanna, P., Farjo, B., Gambino, V., … Meyer-González, T. (2023). An international expert consensus statement focusing on pre and post hair transplantation care. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 34(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2023.2232065 – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546634.2023.2232065#abstract
- Fekry, Maurice and Awad, Ebrahim (2024) “Improvement of hair transplantation in postcicatracial alopecia,” Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research: Vol. 7: Iss. 2, Article 6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59299/2537-0928.1019 – https://jmisr.researchcommons.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=home
- Kerure AS, Patwardhan N. Complications in Hair Transplantation. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2018 Oct-Dec;11(4):182-189. doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_125_18. PMID: 30886471; PMCID: PMC6371733. – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6371733/
- Parsley WM, Perez-Meza D. Review of factors affecting the growth and survival of follicular grafts. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2010 May;3(2):69-75. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.69014. PMID: 21031063; PMCID: PMC2956960. – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2956960/
- Kerure, Amit & Patwardhan, Narendra. (2018). Complications in Hair Transplantation. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 11. 182. 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_125_18. – https://www.researchgate.net/
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