Hair Transplant Aftercare
Everything you need to protect your grafts and get the best result.
Hair transplant aftercare in the first 14 days decides the survival rate – the grafts are not yet anchored.
Good aftercare is what turns a successful operation into a successful result. Follow these essentials.
Aftercare essentials
The first 14 days decide the survival rate
In the first days the grafts are not yet mechanically anchored. They feed by diffusion until new blood vessels form. Anything causing pressure, friction, heat or blood-pressure spikes in this phase costs grafts.
The aftercare plan
| Period | Rule |
|---|---|
| Day 1–3 | Sleep with head raised ~45°, neck pillow, no contact with recipient area |
| From day 2–3 | First wash per clinic instruction: soak lotion, rinse lukewarm, do not rub |
| Day 2–4 | Peak swelling on forehead and eyelids – normal, resolves on its own |
| Day 10–14 | Crusts fully loosen; do not scratch or pick |
| Week 2–4 | No sport, sweating, bending or heavy lifting |
| Week 4+ | Sauna, pool, sea, solarium only once medically cleared |
What to avoid
Smoking narrows the vessels and worsens graft blood supply – the first two weeks are critical. Alcohol and blood thinners raise bleeding and swelling. Direct sun on the healing scalp can leave pigment changes; headwear only once cleared and loose. And do not scratch: itching in week 2–3 is a healing sign, not a reason to intervene.
When to seek medical advice
Have it medically checked for: fever, increasing redness with warmth, pus-like discharge, strong one-sided swelling, or pain that increases rather than decreases. Infection is rare but treatable – if reported.
Settle before departure who your contact is at home. See timeline and Istanbul guide.
This page is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Results are individual and cannot be guaranteed.
hair transplant aftercare: key points
Sleep with the head raised, first wash from day 2–3 without rubbing, crusts loosen by day 10–14. No sport or sweating for 2–4 weeks.
Shock loss in week 2–6 is normal: up to 90% of transplanted hairs fall out, the follicles stay.
For the full overview, see our main page on hair transplants in Istanbul.
Frequently Asked Questions
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