How many days after hair transplantation can I wash my hair?

Jan 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

After undergoing a hair transplant surgery, I have minor wounds on my scalp and need to wait for a period of time to recover. I would like to know how many days after the hair transplant I can wash my hair.

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Lu

The timing of shampooing depends on the patient's physical condition and postoperative recovery. If the patient is in good physical condition and recovers quickly, the wound may heal sufficiently around 5 days after the hair transplant, at which time gentle shampooing can be considered. However, if the patient's physical condition is weaker or recovery is slower, shampooing may need to be delayed until 7 or even 10 days post-surgery to ensure complete wound healing and prevent infection.

Hair transplantation is a procedure that restores hair by transplanting healthy hair follicles to the balding areas. Postoperative care is crucial for ensuring surgical results and preventing infection. After the surgery, tiny incisions will be left on the scalp, which require time to heal. Shampooing too early may cause transplanted follicles to loosen or fall out, affecting the results and increasing the risk of infection.

When shampooing, use warm water and avoid excessively hot water that may irritate the scalp and follicles. After washing, gently pat the hair dry with a towel rather than rubbing vigorously. Additionally, during the postoperative recovery period, patients should avoid strenuous physical activity and consuming spicy or irritating foods, as these may interfere with wound healing.