What to Expect 10 Days After Hair Transplant

We generally advise that it’ll take 14 days to recover from a hair transplant procedure, with the utmost care taken in the first 7 days after a hair transplant. After 10 days post-hair transplant, you’ll likely be considering going back to work and will generally be over the initial swelling, redness and itchiness. You can start to get excited about your results. In this article, we review what to expect 10 days after your hair transplant.

Should I still be sleeping in an upright position?

By the tenth day after a hair transplant, you typically do not need to continue sleeping upright unless your surgeon has specifically advised otherwise.

In the initial days following the procedure (usually the first 3 to 7 days), sleeping with your head elevated is recommended to minimise swelling and reduce the risk of accidentally disturbing the grafts. However, after ten days, the grafts are generally secure, and most of the swelling has subsided.

If your scalp is still feeling sensitive or if you notice any lingering swelling, it might be helpful to continue sleeping with your head slightly elevated. Always follow the specific guidance provided by your surgeon, as they will give you the most accurate advice based on your individual case.

How will your hair look 10 days post hair transplant?

Here’s what you can typically expect each area to look like 10 days after a hair transplant:

Scalp (General)

• The scalp, particularly in the recipient area, may still show some redness or slight pinkness, especially if you have lighter skin.
• The crusts or scabs from the procedure should mostly be gone by this time, although there may still be some tiny flakes as the scalp continues to heal.
• Any initial swelling should have significantly reduced, and the area should look much less irritated.

Crown

• The crown area might still have some visible redness or small scabs if grafts were placed there.
• As the crown tends to have a denser graft placement, there might be slightly more visible signs of healing, like minor crusting or flaking, but these should mostly be fading.
• You may notice some shedding of the transplanted hairs, which is a normal part of the recovery process.

Eyebrows

• If you had an eyebrow transplant, the area may still appear slightly pink or red, with tiny crusts or scabs beginning to fall off.
• There might be some minor swelling around the eyes, though this should be minimal by the tenth day.
• The transplanted eyebrow hairs may look a bit uneven or slightly longer than your natural hairs, but this will improve over time as they grow and can be trimmed.

Hairline

• The hairline will likely still show some mild redness or pinkness, and small scabs or flakes may still be visible.
• Most of the crusts should have fallen off by now, revealing the new grafts. The area may look slightly patchy as some transplanted hairs begin to shed, but this is normal.
• The hairline should start to look more natural, although the final appearance will still take several months to develop.

Temples

• The temples may have a similar appearance to the hairline, with some mild redness or pinkness and a few remaining scabs.
• Any redness or swelling in this area should be much less noticeable, and the grafts should be settling in.
• There might be some shedding of the transplanted hairs here as well, which is part of the normal hair cycle post-transplant.

Overall Appearance

• By day 10, the overall appearance of any transplanted area will still show signs of healing, but it should look much better than in the first few days after the procedure.
• The key indicators of ongoing recovery are mild redness, some minor flaking or crusts, and shedding of the transplanted hairs. The new hairs will begin to grow over the next few months, leading to a fuller, more natural look.

If you have any concerns about how any area looks, it’s always a good idea to check in with your surgeon for personalised advice.

How to wash my hair after a hair transplant?

If you’re worried about washing your hair following a hair transplant, there’s no need to be. Follow the KSL Clinic after-care instructions we’ve provided, however, if you have any further questions on how to wash your hair – please call the clinic.

• Do not use a hairdryer, towel or any other equipment to dry your hair – you’re going to want to avoid all abrasive movements on your scalp.
• Let your hair dry naturally within the after-care stage.
• Only wash your hair on the days we’ve instructed in your after-care programme.

Can I exercise 10 days after a hair transplant?

No exercise should be carried out at this stage. It’s important to follow KSL’s instructions for a healthy and fit recovery. On Day 14, you may resume back to normal life, this includes exercise, swimming, going to gym and playing sports.

14+ Days

Once the scabs have cleared up and your skin is back to its regular colour, your hair follicles will once again become dormant, and the new hair will shed. Once this process is complete, your hair will resemble how it was pre-treatment. But don’t fret – this is completely normal and is a necessary step in the recovery and regrowth process.

Once the hair falls out, new hair will begin to grow in its place. In time, the regrowth will give you the appearance of a thick, full head of hair.

Hair washing?

Once you reach Day 14 of your after-care, you can resume your normal hair washing routine. This means you’re able to physically touch your scalp and use a power shower. If you’re wondering what type of shampoo to use post-treatment, your regular go-to shampoo is just fine. Don’t fret if you see small hairs attached to scabs when washing your hair, at this point the scabs must come away and the follicles we’ve implanted into your scalp are still there.

If you have any questions regarding your hair transplant after 10 days, be sure to get in touch with your hair transplant surgeon.