---
title: "Hair Transplant Aftercare: Day-by-Day Instructions"
description: "Hair transplant aftercare day by day: first wash, sleeping position, scabs, exercise, hats, alcohol, sun and haircuts, plus what is normal and when to call us."
canonical: https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/hair-transplant-aftercare
last_updated: 2026-10-08
---

# Hair Transplant Aftercare: Day-by-Day Instructions

Updated 21 October 2026. By Hair Transplants London.

Short answer

## What are the most important aftercare rules after a hair transplant?

Keep the grafts untouched for the first 72 hours, sleep with your head raised for the first few nights, wash gently exactly as shown from day 2 or 3, and avoid exercise, swimming, sun and tight hats for at least the first 2 weeks. Grafts are secure after about 10 to 14 days.

The procedure takes a day; the way you look after your scalp over the next two weeks protects the investment. Freshly implanted grafts are fragile at first and become secure as the tiny openings heal, usually within 10 to 14 days. Good aftercare is simple, but timing matters. This page sets out what our patients are asked to do each day. Follow your own written instructions if they differ, because aftercare is tailored to the technique and your scalp.

| Day | Main focus | Key do | Key don't |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 0 (surgery day) | Rest | Sleep with head raised | Touch, scratch or cover grafts |
| 1 | Swelling control | Use any spray as directed | Wash, bend over or exercise |
| 2–3 | First gentle wash | Wash exactly as shown | Rub, use a shower jet on grafts |
| 4–7 | Daily gentle washing | Pat dry; keep raised at night | Hats that touch grafts; alcohol; smoking |
| 8–14 | Scabs soften and fall away | Gently massage scabs off in the wash | Picking, sun, swimming, heavy exercise |
| 15–30 | Return to normal | Normal shampoo; light exercise | Sunburn, saunas, contact sport |
| 30+ | Growth phase | Haircut, sport and normal routine | Skipping medication if prescribed |

## Surgery day and the first night

- Go straight home and rest. Have someone accompany you if you can.

- Do not touch, scratch or let anything rub the grafts.

- Sleep on your back with your head raised on two or three pillows, or use a reclining chair.

- Keep the donor dressing on if one has been applied.

- Take any medication as prescribed, including pain relief.

- Avoid alcohol and smoking.

## Days 1 to 3: protecting the grafts

The first 72 hours are when grafts are most vulnerable. Swelling may develop and can move down to the forehead and around the eyes on day 2 or 3. This is common and settles within a few days.

- Keep your head raised, including when sleeping.

- Avoid bending over, lifting and strenuous activity.

- Use any saline spray as directed to keep grafts moist.

- Do not wear a hat that touches the recipient area.

- The first gentle wash is usually on day 2 or 3, at the clinic or at home as instructed.

## How to wash your hair after a hair transplant

| Step | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| 1 | Apply the lotion or foam you were given to the grafted area and leave as instructed |
| 2 | Rinse with lukewarm water poured gently from a cup, not a shower jet |
| 3 | Apply a small amount of mild shampoo lathered in your hands, and dab it on |
| 4 | Rinse again with a cup or very low-pressure shower |
| 5 | Pat the donor area dry; let the recipient area air dry or pat very lightly with paper towel |

Do not rub, comb through the grafts or use a hairdryer on heat. Wash once a day in this way until scabs have gone.

## Days 4 to 7

Grafts are becoming more secure. Continue gentle daily washing and keep sleeping with your head raised until around day 5 to 7. Most people with office jobs return to work at around day 7, often wearing a loose hat. Our [recovery timeline](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/hair-transplant-recovery-timeline) covers time off work and when you will look presentable.

## Days 8 to 14: scabs and itching

Small crusts form around each graft and loosen in the second week. From around day 8 to 10, you can gently massage them with fingertips while washing so they come away. Itching is common as the scalp heals; avoid scratching and ask about a soothing lotion. By day 14 most scabs have gone and grafts are secure.

## Weeks 2 to 6: shedding

Many transplanted hairs fall out in weeks 2 to 6. This is normal shock loss and does not mean the grafts have failed; the follicles stay in place and regrow. Our guide to [hair grafts falling out and shock loss](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/hair-grafts-falling-out-shock-loss) explains why it happens and what to expect.

## When can I return to normal activities?

| Activity | Typical return |
| --- | --- |
| Desk work | About 7 days |
| Driving | Next day if you feel well and were not sedated |
| Walking | Immediately |
| Gym and running | About 1–2 weeks (light), 3–4 weeks (heavy) |
| Swimming | About 4 weeks |
| Sauna and steam | About 4 weeks |
| Contact sports | About 4 weeks or more |
| Loose hat | After about 3–5 days, not touching grafts |
| Helmet | About 2 weeks |
| Haircut (scissors) | About 2–3 weeks |
| Clippers on donor area | About 4 weeks |
| Hair dye | About 4–6 weeks |
| Sun exposure on scalp | Avoid direct sun for about 4 weeks; then use hat or SPF |

{{CTA}}

## What is normal after a hair transplant?

- Swelling of the forehead for a few days

- Redness in the recipient area for one to several weeks, longer on fair skin

- Mild tenderness and numbness in the donor area

- Itching during healing

- Small pimples as new hairs push through, especially around months 2 to 4

- Shedding of transplanted hairs in the first weeks

## When should you contact the clinic?

Get in touch with us if you notice:

- Bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure for 10 to 15 minutes

- Increasing pain, heat or spreading redness

- Yellow discharge or a raised temperature

- Severe swelling that is getting worse after day 4

- A graft that has clearly been dislodged with bleeding

Our guide to [hair transplant risks and side effects](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/hair-transplant-risks-side-effects) explains what complications look like and how rare they are.

## Aftercare for the donor area

The donor area heals quickly after FUE and DHI. Tiny dots become hard to see within about 10 days once hair grows back. After FUT, the strip wound is stitched or stapled, and these are usually removed at around 10 to 14 days. See [hair transplant scars](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/hair-transplant-scars) for how donor areas heal with each technique.

## Medication and long-term care

A transplant moves permanent hair, but native hair around it can still thin. If you have been prescribed medication to protect existing hair, keep taking it as directed. Some patients also use treatments such as [PRP](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/prp-hair-treatment-london) after the scalp has healed. Results build gradually over 12 to 18 months; see [how long a hair transplant lasts](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/how-long-does-a-hair-transplant-last).

## Common aftercare mistakes

- Sleeping flat on the first nights and waking up with grafts rubbed by the pillow

- Using a strong shower jet directly on the grafts

- Picking scabs before they are ready

- Wearing a tight cap to hide the grafts

- Going back to heavy gym training too soon

- Sunburning the scalp in the first months

## Aftercare kit checklist

Before your procedure day, have these ready at home:

- A travel pillow and two or three extra pillows

- A clean, loose-fitting hat or hood that will not touch the grafts

- The shampoo, lotion and spray given to you, plus a clean plastic cup for rinsing

- Paper towels for patting the donor area dry

- Button-up or zip tops, so you do not pull clothes over your head

- Pain relief and any prescribed medication

- Ice packs wrapped in a cloth for the forehead (never on the grafts)

## Aftercare for beard and eyebrow transplants

Facial transplants follow similar principles: no touching for the first days, gentle washing as instructed, and no shaving or plucking near the grafts until you are told it is safe, usually after about two weeks. See [beard transplants](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/beard-transplant-london) and [eyebrow transplant costs](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/eyebrow-transplant-cost).

If you are worried about anything during recovery, it is always better to ask than to wait.

## Plan your procedure

At your assessment we explain aftercare in detail and give you written instructions to take home. [Request an assessment](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/#enquire) through our online form.

## Frequently asked questions

### When can I wash my hair after a hair transplant?

Usually from day 2 or 3, using the gentle technique and products your clinic gives you. Normal washing typically resumes after 10 to 14 days.

### How should I sleep after a hair transplant?

On your back with your head raised on two or three pillows, or in a reclining position, for the first 5 to 7 nights. A travel pillow helps stop you rolling.

### When can I wear a hat after a hair transplant?

A loose, clean hat that does not touch the grafts can usually be worn after the first few days. Avoid tight caps and helmets for about two weeks.

### When can I exercise after a hair transplant?

Light walking is fine straight away. Most people wait about one to two weeks before gym training and about four weeks before contact sports and swimming.

### Can I drink alcohol after a hair transplant?

It is best to avoid alcohol for at least the first few days, as it can increase swelling and bleeding.

## Related guides

- [Hair Transplant Cost UK: Prices per Graft and Package (2026)](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/hair-transplant-cost-uk)
- [Hair Transplant Recovery Timeline: What to Expect](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/hair-transplant-recovery-timeline)
- [DHI vs FUE vs FUT: Which Hair Transplant Method Is Better?](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/fue-vs-fut-vs-dhi)
- [Harley Street Hair Transplant Cost: What to Know Before You Book](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/hair-transplant-harley-street)
- [Hair Transplant for Women in the UK: Suitability, Cost and Alternatives](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/guides/female-hair-transplant-london)
- [Hair Graft Calculator: How Many Grafts Do I Need?](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/tools/hair-graft-calculator)
- [Hair transplants in London: FUE, DHI and FUT](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/)
- [Areas of London we cover](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/london-areas)

Next step

## Find out what a transplant could do for you

Send us a few details and we will be in touch to arrange a hair assessment. There is no obligation to go ahead.

[Request a hair assessment](https://hairtransplantslondon.com/#enquire)