Jeffrey Epstein, MD, FACS
Hair Restoration Expert
6280 Sunset Dr #504
South Miami, FL 33143
Phone: (786) 401-5805
Hours: Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
What To Expect After a Hair Transplant
Your surgical hair transplant will be a relatively simple procedure. Since surgery typically doesn’t require general anesthesia, you’ll be able to go home shortly after the procedure is complete. This hair transplant recovery timeline outlines what you can expect during the first year after your surgery.
The First Day
Take it easy on the day of your surgery. Once you get the all-clear to leave Dr. Epstein’s office, try to relax once you get back home. Find a friend or relative to drive you home from the surgical center. Ideally, you’ll have someone stay with you overnight. Try to keep your head elevated as much as possible. You can relax in a recliner, which should support your head at the right angle.
We’ll give you a bandana to wear home, which can help cover up incisions or scabs on your scalp. Hold off on wearing a hat until the next day. Also, don’t shampoo your hair on your first night after the surgery. You might notice some slight bleeding at the back of your scalp on the first day. If this occurs, apply a clean gauze or cloth to the area and hold it in place with light pressure for about 10 minutes.
Right after the procedure, you will be able to see the shape of your new hairline, although the area is likely to be swollen, and there may be some scabbing around each implanted follicle. Mild pain and discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter analgesics and by applying ice for 10 to 20 minutes every couple of hours.
Day 2
On the second day after your hair transplant, it’s still important to take it easy. You can start gently washing your hair and scalp on this day. You can return to the office so we can wash your scalp for you, or if you can’t come to the office, you can wash your hair at home. To do this, first wet your scalp in the shower using cool or warm (not hot) water. Use a bowl to pour the water over your head. Make sure you get the sides, back, and top of the scalp wet.
Shampoo the scalp and hair with a gentle or mild shampoo. Gently lather the shampoo. Pat it onto the areas of the scalp where the grafts are located, making sure you also wash the sides and back of your scalp. Rinse away the shampoo, then gently pat your scalp dry. Repeat this process of washing your hair and scalp daily for the first 5 days. You can begin combing your hair again on the third day.
Week 1
By the end of the first week after your hair transplant, you should be able to shower as usual. You might have some crusts remaining on the back or sides of the scalp. If that’s the case, you can rub them off. The crusts should flake off without bleeding. If you do notice bleeding or feel any pain, stop rubbing the area and wait a few days. For the best possible results, it’s important to remove the crusts within 2 weeks after your transplant.
Often, people feel well enough to return to work about a week after their surgery. Your scalp might be slightly pink, but that should resolve quickly. If you have any scarring, you can wear a hat to cover it up. You might also be able to resume some types of strenuous activity about a week after your hair transplant. Ask your surgeon for guidelines and check in about specific activities before you dive back into normal life.
Starting about one week after your surgery, the transplanted hairs will begin to fall out. Don’t panic when you see this or think that it means your surgery wasn’t successful. This is completely normal—only the strands of hair will shed, not the follicles themselves. The shedding will likely continue over the next few weeks.
Month 1
A month after your hair restoration surgery, you should be more or less back to normal. You can start having your hair cut again after 2 weeks. If you dye your hair, you can begin coloring it again 2 weeks after surgery. By this point, you might still have some tingling or numbness on the sides, top, and back of the scalp. That should start to resolve now if it hasn’t already.
3 to 6 Months After Surgery
It’s normal to notice acne-like pimples in the areas where grafts were implanted. This is known as folliculitis and occurs when new hair shafts make their way to the surface, and some may become temporarily trapped under the skin. Do not pick, pop, or squeeze them — apply warm compresses to reduce inflammation and contact Dr. Epstein’s office if you have any concerns.
After 5 to 6 months, your patience will be rewarded with significant hair growth at the transplanted sites. New hair will initially be fine but will thicken over time. These are real, natural hairs so that you can wash, style, trim, and even dye them just as you would the rest of your hair.
Year 1
Over the next year, your hair will continue to grow back. Often, regrowth begins about 4 months after surgery, with hair typically growing at a rate of 0.5 inches per month. The final results should be clearly visible about a year following your hair transplant, and you’ll notice that previously balding areas now have significant density and coverage. The time it takes for hair to grow in fully can vary from person to person—you might see full regrowth within 1 year, or it might take up to 14 months.
This is a good time to schedule a follow-up visit to discuss whether you wish to undergo a subsequent procedure. A hair transplant performed by Dr. Epstein is a permanent procedure—results last a lifetime.
Sleeping and Activity After a Hair Transplant
It’s important to take it easy after your hair transplant and follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding sleep and other activities. During the first few nights after surgery, keep your head elevated while you sleep. You can sleep on your back, propping yourself up with a few pillows, or sleep in a recliner. There might be some bleeding from the grafts on the sides or back of your scalp initially, so you may want to put a towel down over the pillow during the first couple of nights.
To keep swelling down and prevent damage to the grafts, avoid any strenuous activity for the first 2 days. Don’t lift objects or raise your hands above your head. You might take short walks around the block if you wish. You can resume some types of exercise, including weight lifting, about 5 days after the surgery. It’s most likely OK to start swimming again after 10 days.
Postoperative Medications
You might experience some mild discomfort after a hair transplant. We can prescribe medications to help you manage any pain or discomfort—often prescription-strength Tylenol® with codeine or oxycodone. Take pain relievers as directed, usually 1 to 2 pills every 4 to 6 hours. If you prefer, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, regular Tylenol®, or Aleve®. Do not mix prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers.
You may also receive a prescription for an antibiotic to be taken twice daily for the first 3 days after surgery as a preventive measure against infection.
Some patients experience difficulty sleeping immediately after a hair transplant. If that’s the case, we can prescribe Ambien® to help. Because there is a risk of interactions or complications from some medications, please let us know if you’re taking anything else. We may also recommend holding off on certain supplements, such as vitamin E, until a few weeks after your hair transplant.
Complementary Products & Treatments
GraftCyte
GraftCyte is a product made specifically for use after hair restoration surgery. It contains copper and peptides that aid the healing process and keep the scalp moist to improve healing. Apply GraftCyte hourly during your waking hours for the first 3 days after your hair transplant. The product comes in a spray bottle for easy application. Our practice will supply you with a bottle of GraftCyte after your surgery—if you’ve traveled for the procedure, we can provide a TSA-approved bottle for your carry-on. Benefits include reduced shedding and faster hair growth after your transplant.
Laser Light Therapy
Laser light therapy is a proven treatment for male and female pattern baldness that can also encourage hair growth after a transplant. Dr. Epstein’s practice provides laser light therapy to all hair restoration patients during the first month after their transplant. You can begin laser light therapy the day following your transplant, after your first scalp wash. After that, therapy can continue 1 to 2 times a week, with each session lasting 20 minutes. When used over the long term, laser light therapy may also help reduce future hair loss.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil (Rogaine®) is an over-the-counter topical product that can encourage hair growth and help your hair grow back after a hair transplant. We recommend applying minoxidil foam to the scalp starting about 3 weeks after surgery. Men can use 5% minoxidil, while women should use 2%, applied once or twice daily for the first 5 months. If you notice irritation or redness, stop use for 1 week, then reduce to once every other day. If you experience heart palpitations, itching, or lightheadedness, discontinue use immediately.
Cleaning the Scalp
You can return to the office to have your scalp washed starting the day after surgery and continuing through the fifth day, or wash at home using warm water and mild shampoo. Use gentle pressure for the first 5 days to avoid disrupting the grafts. Within a week, you can shower and wash your hair as usual.
It’s not uncommon to develop small pimples on the scalp after a hair transplant as new hair grows in. Treat them by soaking and applying antibiotic cream. If the cream doesn’t resolve the pimples after 3 days, return to the office for follow-up.
Covering Up the Scalp
We’ll provide you with a bandana to wear on the day of your surgery. Starting the next day, you can wear a hat to keep the scalp covered. Another option, if you have long enough hair, is Toppik™—a powder that matches your hair color, which we can supply. You can begin using Toppik on the third day, once you discontinue GraftCyte.
Hair Transplant Side Effects
While hair transplantation is very safe, as with any surgical procedure, you should be aware of some rare but potential side effects:
- Scarring: very unlikely with FUE but more common with FUT
- Infection or bleeding
- Inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis)
- Nerve damage or loss of sensation at donor or recipient sites
- Scalp itching
- Inflammation around the forehead and eyes
- Crusting or pus drainage
Do’s and Don’ts After a Hair Transplant
Do:
- Sleep in an elevated position using a soft pillow for at least 7 days
- Apply ice to sore or inflamed areas in the days following surgery. Use an ice pack wrapped in a clean towel, never directly on the scalp
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables to promote healing
- Drink plenty of water before and after the procedure
- Keep your scalp dry, especially during the first few days
- Use gentle shampoos as recommended by Dr. Epstein’s team
- Take medications exactly as directed
- Avoid direct sunlight for at least 2 weeks; wear a hat when outdoors
- Relax, give your scalp the time it needs to heal
Don’t:
- Touch, pull, or comb your hair immediately after the procedure
- Bend over, blow your nose harshly, or lean forward excessively for 1 week after surgery
- Smoke for at least a month. It slows recovery and increases the risk of complications
- Wear a hat, cap, or head covering for at least 72 hours following the procedure
- Sleep on your stomach for at least a week
- Scratch your scalp or pick at scabs
- Apply ice directly to your scalp. Instead, use an ice pack wrapped in a clean towel
- Drink alcohol for the first week. It interferes with circulation and may slow recovery
What Not To Do After a Hair Transplant
Check with your surgeon before resuming most activities, even if you feel fine. While most activities can resume a few days after your hair transplant, it’s always a good idea to confirm you’re healed enough before resuming them.
The scalp area will be particularly sensitive to sunlight after a hair restoration procedure. Keep the scalp covered anytime you’re outdoors. Avoid drinking alcohol for a few days before and after your procedure, and avoid tobacco products well in advance of and after your transplant.
Recovery & Postoperative FAQs
How long is hair transplant recovery?
Hair transplant recovery is a relatively short and painless process. With FUE, most patients return to regular activities within 3 to 5 days following the procedure. The recovery process for FUT procedures is slightly longer because patients need time for the stitches and incision site to heal properly.
When can I shower after a hair transplant?
It’s recommended that you wait at least 48 hours before washing your hair. However, you may shower or bathe at any time, provided your scalp remains completely dry. Dr. Epstein’s team will provide detailed instructions on how and when to wash your hair during recovery.
Can I wear a hat after a hair transplant?
You should wait at least 10 days before wearing a hat or head covering to avoid damaging transplanted grafts. Once the area is fully healed, you can wear any hat and style your hair however you like.
How long does it take for grafts to set after a hair transplant?
It takes approximately 2 weeks for newly implanted grafts to set fully. During this period, the grafts are more susceptible to damage, so avoid fidgeting, combing, or rubbing your hair.
How soon can I return to work after a hair transplant?
With FUE hair transplants, most patients return to work and regular activities within 1 to 2 days, provided they avoid strenuous physical activity that involves sweating or forceful head movements. FUT patients can return to work or school a week after surgery.
Can you swim after a hair transplant?
Yes! After your grafts have fully healed, you can resume all physical activities, including swimming in a pool or the ocean. Clearance to swim is typically given at day 10.
Why does hair fall out after a hair transplant?
Shedding is a normal part of hair transplantation surgery. Also known as “shock loss,” hair loss after a hair transplant can occur as early as 2 weeks after the procedure and can last up to 12 weeks. It happens because the newly placed follicles enter a resting or dormant state due to the trauma of being moved. This is temporary and, contrary to what many people think, is not a sign that the scalp has “rejected” the implanted follicles. The hair usually starts to grow back and thicken over the next 4 to 12 months.
Can you avoid shedding after a hair transplant?
Unfortunately, no. Hair transplant or not, hair shedding is part of the normal hair growth cycle, which consists of 3 distinct phases: the growth or anagen phase, transition or catagen phase, and the resting or telogen phase, which is the shedding phase.
How much pain can I expect after a hair transplant?
The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia and soft sedation so you won’t feel any pain. Mild to moderate discomfort can be expected for up to a week following hair transplantation surgery, which can be easily managed with OTC or prescription pain medications.
Questions About Your Recovery?
Dr. Epstein and his team are committed to guiding you throughout the entire hair transplant process. Every patient receives Dr. Epstein’s cell phone number for direct access and support throughout recovery.
Additionally, our team is available to answer your recovery questions or clarify postoperative instructions. Consultations are available in person and virtually for out-of-town patients.