Itching After Hair Transplant: Why It’s Completely Normal

As your scalp heals after even a minimally invasive FUE hair transplant, some degree of itching is entirely natural and is part of the way your skin recovers and mends, just as some itching is normal after any minor cut or injury. 

Clients generally find that itching can occur within a few days of their procedure as the microscopic incisions created at each follicle extraction and transplant site heal over and begin to dry and heal.

At this stage, it is crucial to avoid the temptation to scratch and follow the aftercare guidance provided. Many opt to use an antihistamine or other topical treatment to control itching and irritation and soothe the skin during post-transplant recovery.

Why Itching After a Hair Transplant Is Not a Reason for Concern

We’ve all experienced itching when a cut or scrape heals. During the initial two-week recovery period post-hair transplant, you can anticipate some low-level itching, which you can soothe with a topical cream or antihistamines—provided your hair transplant surgeon has recommended these.

It’s also possible to have some itching sensations at around two months after your hair transplant, which is usually due to the growth of new, healthy follicles and, equally, something completely normal.

There are several ways to reduce itching or react if irritation is becoming a distraction, including:

• Following the aftercare guidance we have provided, which ensures you protect newly implanted follicles from damage and promote ideal healing for your scalp.
• Ensuring your scalp isn’t dehydrated, using medicated shampoos or topical creams – again, checking with your surgeon to avoid anything that could irritate the scalp further or that is not recommended during your particular recovery stage.
• Keeping your scalp away from sunlight, something we always advise during the first 14 days, and ensuring you don’t add to dryness and scalp itching.

Importantly, you must avoid scratching or rubbing your scalp. When the grafts are still healing, they may not yet be securely embedded, and abrasion and scratching could possibly dislodge one or several follicles and impact your recovery.

Common Reasons for an Itchy Scalp Post-Hair Transplant

As we’ve indicated, for the vast majority of hair transplant clients, itching is simply where the skin is healing. It is harmless, temporary, and easy to relieve with some of the strategies we’ve covered.

Initial itching during the first recovery phase occurs because the skin around the donor site, where follicles were extracted, and around the transplant site is healing. Later, itching is normally due to new regrowth, similar to the itching that occurs when stubble grows in.

However, there are possible complications, either because of an unknown skin condition that hasn’t been diagnosed prior to your hair transplant or because your transplant has been completed by a surgical team without the right skill and precision to minimise trauma to the scalp.

Folliculitis is one example. It affects as little as 1% of people but means that hair follicles or the skin around them become infected or inflamed. While this is incredibly rare, swift treatment can be important, either to ensure that self-c are will lead to a full recovery or to prescribe medication to tackle the infection.

Other scalp issues, such as eczema and psoriasis, can also contribute to itching, although these are usually very apparent well before you schedule a hair transplant. 

These conditions should be properly controlled to prevent a flare-up following a transplant and with a full evaluation to verify that you are a good candidate for the procedure.

When to Consult KSL Clinic About Itching Following a Hair Transplant

As the UK’s busiest and most experienced hair transplant clinic, we provide all clients with a free consultation before deciding whether a transplant is the right treatment for them and conduct a comprehensive clinical evaluation of their scalp and hair.

This approach is essential since it means that any underlying issues or problems with their scalp are identified beforehand, and we can be proactive about either suggesting alternative therapies or managing scalp health to ensure a transplant will be safe and effective.

Clients are always welcome to contact us if they have any concerns following a transplant, but itching is normally always due to natural healing and hair growth. We provide check-ins as standard to confirm that the transplanted follicles are growing as we might expect.

That said, if you have had a hair transplant elsewhere and are experiencing swelling that doesn’t go away, severe itching with skin irritation, or pain and tenderness, it is important to get in touch quickly to ensure the cause is identified and treated.