Days 1-7 After A Hair Transplant:
What to Expect In The First Week
The first seven days after a hair transplant are crucial. Every patient undergoing Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) surgery must understand how to manage this early phase carefully. Your choices in the first week affect how well the grafts survive, how the donor area heals, and whether complications arise. This guide walks you through the daily physiological changes, what symptoms are expected, and how to care for your scalp in detail.
For a broader guide see our Hair Transplant Recovery Timeline.
see also: 10 Days After Hair Transplant
Day 1: Immediate Post-Operative Period
Above is a photo taken 1 day after surgery, the grafts have just started to scab over and the area looks red.
After your procedure at My Hair UK, you’ll return home the same day. The surgery involves making thousands of tiny incisions in both the donor and recipient sites, which triggers a cascade of biological responses. Your scalp may feel tight or mildly uncomfortable once the local anaesthetic wears off. Most patients describe this as soreness or pressure, rather than pain.
The donor area, typically the back or sides of your head, may be covered with a sterile dressing. The recipient area — the transplanted zone — is left exposed to air. You will notice redness, pinpoint scabs, and possibly a small amount of clear or blood-tinged fluid around the grafts. This is expected and part of the body’s normal healing process. You’ll begin a course of oral antibiotics to prevent infection, and you may be prescribed anti-inflammatory medication to limit swelling. You’ll also receive sterile saline spray, which should be applied frequently to keep the grafts hydrated and reduce crusting.
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Patients are advised to avoid touching the scalp. Sleep should be upright or at a 45-degree incline to prevent forehead swelling. Most patients use two pillows or a neck support to maintain this position. Avoid all physical and sexual activity, alcohol, and smoking or vaping during the first 2 weeks.
Day 2 – Inflammatory Response Peaks
​On the second day, you may begin to notice swelling in the forehead, this occurs more often in patients who have the procedure for the front hairline, and less obvious if the procedure was for the crown area. This is not unusual, and for patients having hairline surgery we will usually provide a bandana to stop inflammatory fluid tracking downwards into the face or eyelids due to gravity, which whilst not at all dangerous, can be uncomfortable, so we advise keeping the bandana on until any swelling subsides. It usually peaks between days 2 and 4 and resolves spontaneously without intervention. In some cases, swelling may affect both eyes and cause a slightly puffy appearance. There is no need for alarm unless the area becomes hot, painful, or red — signs that would suggest infection.
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The grafts remain very fragile during this period. Do not wear a hat, helmet, or anything that touches the scalp unless explicitly approved by your surgeon. You should continue spraying the grafts with saline every hour while awake. This keeps the area moist and supports the healing environment.
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You may experience a tingling or itchy sensation in the donor zone as healing continues. Light discomfort can be managed with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Ensure your antibiotic medication is taken as prescribed, including any stomach protection if on NSAIDs.
Day 3 – Early Healing and Crusting
By day three, most patients notice less discomfort, although swelling may still be present. The grafts begin to anchor more securely into the scalp, but the risk of dislodgement remains if disturbed by pressure or friction. The skin around each graft starts to dry, forming a small scab. These should not be touched or removed. They are a normal by-product of plasma drying at the skin surface and form a temporary barrier.
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Your surgeon may now permit you to gently rinse your scalp using a jug to pour lukewarm water. No direct shower pressure should touch the scalp. Shampooing is not yet allowed, and drying must be done by air or patting with sterile gauze — never with a towel. Any premature trauma to the grafts can affect final density and hair survival.
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The donor area, although healing well, may still be sensitive. Redness and tightness are common. Small crusts may also form here but will resolve without intervention.
Day 4 – Maturation of the Early Scabs
Crusting becomes more prominent by day four. These crusts are not harmful as long as they are left untouched. Underneath, the dermal tissue is undergoing re-epithelialisation, where keratinocytes begin to migrate across the wound surface. Angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) also begins at this stage, essential for supplying nutrients to each graft.
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Patients often report increased itching, particularly in the evening. This is a sign of nerve regeneration and collagen synthesis, not infection. Oral antihistamines like cetirizine (hayfever tablets) may be helpful if the itching interferes with sleep. Refrain from scratching under any circumstance.
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Saline sprays should continue throughout the day. You may now return to very light desk work if you are able to maintain scalp hygiene and avoid exposure to dust or potential trauma.
Day 5 – Stabilisation of Grafts
By the fifth day, the grafts are generally considered “safe” in the scalp, though care is still needed. The crusts may now appear dry and slightly raised. Do not attempt to remove them forcefully. If washing has been approved, you may begin to use a non-medicated baby shampoo. This should be applied very gently, either by dabbing foam onto the scalp or lathering in your hands before spreading it. Avoid fingernails or any rubbing action.
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The donor area should be well on its way to recovery, with visible reduction in redness and scabbing. Any stitches — if used — are typically dissolvable and will not require removal unless instructed. Some patients report areas of temporary numbness or hypersensitivity in the donor region. This is due to superficial nerve trauma and usually resolves over several weeks.
Day 6 – Softening the Crusts
At this stage, if crusts are still firmly attached, your surgeon may recommend applying conditioner or lotion to help soften them. This is usually left on the scalp for 30 minutes before a very gentle rinse. The aim is to allow scabs to detach naturally without dislodging grafts. Avoid excessive washing. Once daily is sufficient unless otherwise directed.
Hair shedding may begin from the transplanted area, which can be alarming. This is normal and represents the detachment of the hair shaft, not the follicle. It does not impact the long-term outcome.
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You should still avoid vigorous exercise, swimming, hot baths, and sun exposure. UV radiation can cause pigmentation changes on the healing scalp. A loose-fitting cap may be permitted outdoors, but only after day seven and only if it does not rub the recipient zone.
Day 7 – Transition to the Resting Phase
By day seven, most patients feel more confident. The scalp may still be slightly pink but should no longer be tender. The majority of crusts will have flaked away or are softening. Washing can now become more thorough — still gentle, but more like a traditional wash than the dabbing technique used earlier.
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You can gradually return to more normal routines. Office-based work is usually resumed by now. Low level physical activity can be restarted from week two onwards depending on healing, but higher level like gym, running, sports and anything likely to significantly raise your heart rate or blood pressure should be avoided for the first 2 weeks. Steam rooms, sunbeds and hair dye must be avoided until later stages, often around four weeks post-op.
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From a biological standpoint, the follicles now enter a dormant phase. The implanted hairs have mostly shed or will do so shortly. The follicles remain within the dermis and begin preparing for the next anagen (growth) phase, which usually starts from week eight onwards.
Red Flags to Watch For
Although complications are rare, you should contact your clinic if you experience:
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Persistent or worsening pain unrelieved by paracetamol or ibuprofen
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Spreading redness or heat in either donor or recipient area
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Yellow or green discharge from the scalp
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Fever above 38°C or systemic symptoms
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A foul odour from the scalp
At My Hair UK, we provide all patients with direct access to their surgical team during this week, and our dedicated patient portal with If you are unsure about anything, always err on the side of caution and get in touch.
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The first seven days after a hair transplant are not simply about waiting — they are an active phase of wound healing, graft stabilisation, and inflammation control. Patients who follow their aftercare regimen closely tend to have better cosmetic outcomes, fewer complications, and faster resolution of symptoms. By day seven, the most delicate part of the journey is complete, and you will begin to transition into the next phase of recovery: shedding, dormancy, and eventual regrowth.
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For ongoing guidance, your clinic should schedule a follow-up review, usually around day 10 to 14, where healing is assessed, and expectations for the next few months are discussed. If you are unsure how your recovery is progressing, photographic updates can often help your surgical team provide timely feedback.
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If you are preparing for a transplant or are currently in the early stages of recovery, My Hair UK is here to support you with clinical advice and structured aftercare every step of the way.
Full Recovery Guide:
Hair Transplant After 2 Weeks
Hair Transplant After 1 Month
Hair Transplant After 2 Months
Hair Transplant After 3 Months
Hair Transplant After 4 Months