Bandage: 24 hours
After 24 hours, it is time to remove the bandage over the donation area. If it lasts longer than 24 hours, there is a risk of infection.
Aftercare of a hair transplant
Here you can find information on what to consider before your hair transplant, as well as how to take care of the area after surgery. Aftercare is as important as the performance of the hair transplant itself.
It is important that the newly transplanted area and the donor area of the neck are properly cared for to give you the best result you can get and to reduce the risk of infection.
See summarized timelineTmeline of aftercare
Sleep: 2 days
You can start sleeping as usual 2 days after your hair transplant. Now the hair follicles have taken root and you don’t have to worry about causing any harm while you sleep. Read more about how to sleep the first few days after the procedure
Alcohol
Alcohol should be avoided for up to 48 hours after the procedure.
Washing: 3 days
72 hours after your hair transplant, you should start washing the newly transplanted hair with lukewarm water. After 4 days you can start washing your hair with a mild shampoo.
Hat and cap: 5 days
You can start wearing your hat and cap 5 days after your hair transplant, but only for short periods. You can start wearing a helmet after one month.
Styling products: 14 days
After 14 days, the healing process has progressed to the point where you can start using styling products on your hair.
Snuff
Snuff does not have as great an impact on the body’s ability to heal as smoking does. However, we still recommend that snuff users refrain for at least 48 hours after the procedure.
Exercise: 14 days
The hair follicles have grown sufficiently strong for you to start practising again 14 days after the hair transplant.
Sauna and bath: 4 weeks
4 weeks after the procedure, you can start sauna bathing again without the hair follicles being damaged by the heat. You can also swim in the public pool, in the sea and in the hot tub.
Cutting and colouring: 4 weeks
After 4 weeks, the transplanted hair can be trimmed but not shorter than 3 mm. If you trim your hair with a trimmer, it is important to use plastic covers to protect the transplant area. The rest of the hair and the donation area can be cut however you like. 4 weeks after your operation, you can also dye the newly transplanted hair.
Sun: 3 months
Strong sunlight should be avoided for 3 months after your hair transplant. If you want to sunbathe, you can do so after 2 weeks if you cover the transplanted area carefully with a cap or headscarf. After 3 months, you can sunbathe as usual.
Shaving: 6 months
The transplanted area must not be shaved for the first 6 months. You can then start shaving your hair with a razor or using a razor blade. If you shave before 6 months have passed, you risk causing damage to the transplanted hair follicles.
How to remove the bandage
Around noon the day after the procedure, the bandage should be removed. It is important that it is not left on for longer than 24 hours, otherwise it can dry to the skin.
Carefully remove the bandage with clean hands. After removing the bandage, you can wipe the skin clean with paper if there is any blood residue left. If the bandage has dried to the skin, blood may come out when you remove it, but this is not dangerous and heals quickly. If you want to wash the area, that is fine.
Here’s how to remove the bandage:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before you start.
- Carefully remove the bandage with clean hands.
- If there is any blood residue on the skin, you can wipe the area clean with a soft paper towel.
- If the bandage has dried on the skin, a little blood may come out when you remove it – this is not dangerous and heals quickly.
- You can wash the area after the bandage has been removed, if you want.
- You don’t need to put a new bandage on afterwards, just let it air out.
- If it itches or becomes dry, you can apply regular lotion.
Sleep
For the first two nights after your hair transplant, it is important to protect the newly transplanted area and avoid any contact with pillows, blankets or other surfaces. Therefore, sleep with your head in an elevated position of about 45 degrees to reduce swelling and give the hair follicles the best possible healing.
We recommend using a neck pillow and placing extra pillows or rolled towels at the sides to keep your head stable during the night. This is especially good if you move a lot while sleeping.
After two nights, the hair follicles have grown in, and you can return to sleeping in your usual position without risk of damaging the result.
Washing
Three days after your hair transplant, you can start rinsing your hair daily with lukewarm water and low pressure. Let the water run gently for at least 10 minutes so that the scabs soften and fall off more easily. After seven days, you can start using shampoo, and after ten days, you can gently massage the area with your fingertips when you shower.
The donor area in the neck can be washed from the moment the bandage is removed. To dry, gently pat with paper towels – after ten days, you can use a clean towel. It is important to wash your hair every day according to these instructions until the scabs are completely gone, which usually happens within 7–14 days. When the scabs have come off, the hair follicles have the best conditions to start growing and the result improves.
Medicine
After your hair transplant, you will be given medication to reduce the risk of swelling and infection. It is important that you follow the prescription you received at your consultation, as we have gone through the aftercare in detail.
- If you have a sore neck or head, you can take 1–2 Ibuprofen tablets as needed, preferably with a meal.
- The antibiotic Dalacin is taken for three days to prevent infection: the day of surgery (1 tablet at the clinic and 1 in the evening), days two and three (1 tablet morning and evening).
- Cortisone is given to counteract swelling and is dissolved in a glass of water: the day of surgery (6 tablets at the clinic), day one (4 tablets in the morning) and day two (2 tablets in the morning).
Always follow the schedule carefully for the best possible healing and results.