Hair Transplant after 1 Week – what to expect

An FUE hair transplant might only take a few hours to complete at the clinic but it takes a little bit longer than that to heal. There is no magic bullet for the healing process, you simply have to wait and let nature take its course. After the first week of a hair transplant, you can expect your scalp and donor area to start to recover as well as see some initial growth (that will eventually shed). Here’s what you can expect 7 days after a hair transplant.

a man starting his one week after a hair transplant

What’s Happening To The Hair after week one?

At first you might be excited to see some new hairs growing in the area as it did when it was in the donor area. You may be getting a little excited which is normal but don’t get too attached to these hairs prematurely! Those initial hairs that grow are not part of your hair graft, they are instead normal hair growing out. Your skin grafts will start to take effect once they are embedded in the skin.

The first week after a hair transplant is a critical time as the grafts may still have the ability to fall out in the first few days after the procedure. It’s important that you take extra care and follow your surgeon’s advice.

You may still have swelling in the recipient area which is mainly due to the local anesthetic used during the procedure. This is normal and should gradually reduce over the next few days.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect after a hair transplant during the first week, day by day:

Day 1 (Day of Surgery)

• Immediately After Surgery: The scalp will feel numb due to local anesthesia, and there may be mild discomfort as the anesthesia wears off. There may also be some oozing or bleeding from the donor and recipient areas.
• Appearance: The transplanted area will look red and may have tiny scabs where the grafts were inserted. Swelling may not be immediately visible but can start within the first 24 hours.

Day 2

• Swelling and Discomfort: Swelling can start to develop around the forehead and eyes. This is a normal response and may last for a few days.
• Care Instructions: You will be instructed to keep the scalp dry and avoid touching or washing it. Sleeping with your head elevated can help minimize swelling.
• Medications: Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications are usually prescribed to manage discomfort and swelling.

Day 3

• Scabbing and Crusting: Tiny scabs will begin to form around the transplanted grafts. You might notice a slight pink or reddish hue on the scalp. It is essential not to scratch or pick at the scabs.
• Swelling Peaks: Swelling may peak around this time, often moving down to the forehead or around the eyes.

Day 4

• Continued Scabbing: Scabs will become more visible, and the grafted area may feel tight or slightly itchy.
• Reduced Swelling: Swelling may begin to subside by now, especially with proper care (e.g., sleeping elevated, cold compresses).

Day 5

• Itching and Tightness: Itching may intensify around the recipient area. This is part of the healing process and a sign of new skin cells regenerating.
• First Gentle Wash: Depending on the surgeon’s instructions, you may be allowed to gently wash your scalp with a special shampoo, avoiding any rubbing or friction.

Day 6

• Scabs and Flakes: Scabs will continue to harden and may begin to fall off naturally. The area may look a bit flaky, but it is crucial not to force the scabs off.
• Appearance of Grafts: Transplanted hair grafts might start to appear more visible beneath the remaining scabs.

Day 7

• Scab Shedding: Most scabs will have shed or will be in the process of shedding. The recipient area may appear pink or reddish as the skin heals.
• Reduced Itching: Itching usually subsides as the scabs fall off. The grafts should be well settled by now.

Overall Expectations by the End of Week 1

• Healing Progress: By the end of the first week, you should have noticeable healing. The scalp might still have some redness, but the swelling and discomfort should be minimal or gone.
• Avoidance: Physical activities, sun exposure, and any activities that might cause sweating or contact with the scalp should still be avoided.

After 7 days, the healing process and care required for different types of hair transplants (crown, eyebrow, hairline, and temples) will vary depending on the specific area treated and its unique characteristics. Here’s what you can generally expect after the first week for each type:

1. Crown Hair Transplant

• Appearance: By day 7, the transplanted area on the crown may still have some redness and scabbing, though most scabs should have naturally fallen off. The skin might look pink or slightly reddish.
• Healing and Shedding: The grafts will be settling, and you may start to notice the “shedding phase,” where the transplanted hairs begin to fall out. This is a normal part of the growth cycle and typically starts around week 2 or 3.
• Care: You can resume more regular activities, but still avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or any activity that might cause sweating or impact the crown area. Gentle shampooing can continue, but avoid scrubbing the scalp.

2. Eyebrow Transplant

• Appearance: After 7 days, the eyebrow area may still have some redness or mild swelling, but the scabbing should be minimal. The transplanted hairs will appear more prominent as the area heals.
• Healing and Shedding: Like with scalp transplants, some transplanted eyebrow hairs may start to shed after the first week. This is normal and part of the hair growth cycle.
• Care: Avoid using any makeup, creams, or products around the eyebrow area for at least two weeks or until the surgeon advises. You should avoid rubbing or touching the eyebrows to prevent irritation or damage to the grafts.
• Avoid Eyewear Pressure: If you wear glasses, ensure they do not apply pressure to the transplanted area. Some surgeons may advise using contact lenses temporarily to avoid any disturbance.

3. Hairline Transplant

• Appearance: The hairline area will still have some redness and possibly a few remaining scabs. The new hairline might look slightly raised or feel bumpy, which is normal and should smooth out over time.
• Healing and Shedding: Shedding of the transplanted hair can begin around week 2 or 3. The transplanted grafts will continue to settle in place.
• Care: Continue to follow post-operative care instructions, such as avoiding direct sun exposure and not applying pressure or wearing hats that might rub against the new hairline.
• Resume Activities: Light activities can be resumed, but heavy exercise, contact sports, or activities that might involve head contact should still be avoided to prevent damaging the grafts.

4. Temple Hair Transplant

• Appearance: By day 7, the temples may still show some redness, but scabbing should mostly be gone. The area may still feel tender, and there could be some itching as the healing continues.
• Healing and Shedding: As with other hair transplant types, shedding will start soon after 7 days. This area may heal a bit faster than the crown or hairline due to the relatively smaller size and fewer grafts.
• Care: Continue to handle the temple area gently, avoiding any friction, tight headwear, or activities that might stretch or put pressure on the skin around the temples.
• Sun and Wind Protection: Protect the temple area from sun exposure and wind, as this skin can be sensitive during the healing process.

General Expectations After 7 Days for All Types:

• Reduced Sensitivity: By this time, sensitivity and discomfort should be minimal, but mild itching and redness are still common.
• Resuming Normal Activities: You can usually start to resume normal activities like light exercise, but any activity involving contact or risk to the treated area should still be avoided.
• Routine Care: Regular gentle washing with mild shampoo can continue. Use any prescribed medications or topical treatments as directed.
• Graft Stability: The grafts are now relatively stable, but it’s still important to be careful with the transplanted area.

If you want to know more about long-term recovery and care, feel free to ask!

What Can You Do?

After one week your hair is still in a vulnerable position – so the short answer is – not much. It’s important that you use this time to rest, avoid strenuous activity, do not touch the area. It’s important that you remain in an upright position to allow the grafts to ‘bed in’ and prevent any from falling out. This is why we always advise that you sleep in an upright position with an inflatable travel pillow for the first five days although some may use it for the whole two weeks (you may find this sleeping position uncomfortable).

Your recipient area will start to scab and itch but it’s important not to touch it. Do not physically touch the area until after two weeks.

One week is still very early for your hair transplant journey and at this point, you need to remind yourself of what you hope to achieve in the next 6-12 months for your hair. The minor discomfort and downtime will all be worth it in the end!

If you need to speak to an UK hair transplant professional, you can contact us at the locations below:

1. KSL Manchester
2. KSL Kent 
3. KSL Newcastle
4. KSL Cardiff 
5. KSL Birmingham