FUE Hair Transplant Recovery: Complete 10 Day Guide

How does the typical FUE hair transplant recovery looks like?

 This is one of many questions we get asked frequently by patients who are considering a  FUE Hair Transplant.

And I am sure that you have wondered this as well if you considering a FUE Hair Transplant.

In this blog, I will focus on the first 10 days of FUE hair transplant recovery.

Why the first ten days, you might wonder?

As a hair restoration clinic, we consider this period critical for recovery.

But before I dive in, let me quickly introduce myself if you are new to our site and don’t know me yet.

My name is James. I co-founded Tecnifue International in 2012, a highly respected hair restoration Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey.

As someone who has helped thousands of patients personally and had a hair transplant, I know both the professional part of the job and the personal part of undergoing a hair transplant.

So, yes, I can definitely relate to how it is to be suffering from hair loss.

My goal as a professional, which also aligns with my ethical stance in life, is to make sure anyone considering a hair transplant has access to correct information.

Now that you know me, let’s return to our topic about the fue hair transplant recovery.

If you are ready to dive in, let’s kick off with what you can expect on the first day.

Day 1 of the FUE Hair Transplant Recovery

Day 1 is the day of the procedure, not a full day of recovery.

I’ll include clear visuals to show how the recipient zone looks.

After the treatment, we cover the donor area with a sterile bandage.

Before that, we apply Fito cream, which has antimicrobial properties and speeds up skin recovery.

The recipient zone stays open and uncovered.

How Does the Head Look Right After the FUE Hair Transplant?

You’ll notice small white dots where the grafts were implanted.

Let me explain what they are.

Some people call them white bumps.

They might look a bit strange, but these bumps are just the skin tissue surrounding the hair follicle.

There’s a belief that this skin tissue has nurturing properties essential for graft survival.

However, our Medical Board has yet to reach a consensus on this.

We tried validating independent research but couldn’t find studies focusing on the correlation between this skin tissue and graft survivability after hair transplantation.

So, we rely on our expertise.

I personally think this skin tissue acts as a protective buffer when handled with tweezers and helps keep the follicle in place after implantation.

Some of our Medical Board members agree.

We all concur that this skin tissue is critical for healthy graft development and recovery.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into this so you understand what I mean.

The extraction protocol ensures that grafts are extracted with a healthy skin layer, using the right punch and a personalized approach depending on hair type and structure.

I know I got a bit technical there, but bear this in mind: it’s a good sign if your grafts have white matter surrounding them after extraction.

It means the grafts are extracted correctly, which is crucial for a successful hair transplant.

How Does the Head Feel During the First Night?

On the first night, you might experience minor discomfort, including a slight burning sensation in the scalp and donor area.

Don’t worry.

Painkillers will provide necessary relief.

It’s crucial to avoid contact between the treatment zone and objects.

In other words, be careful not to hit your head.

Here’s why.

The grafts are not settled in yet.

Let me explain what this means.

They are still loose in the channels, and any direct contact, such as friction or a hit, could dislocate the grafts, leading to graft failure.

So you can imagine how important this is now that you know why.

What about the Sleeping Position during the FUE Hair Transplant Recovery?

You must sleep on your back for the first ten days and avoid contact between the treated zone and your pillow.

Yes, this is quite a challenge for stomach and side sleepers.

You can lie on your donor area, and no, you don’t need to sleep sitting upright.

In fact, it’s better to lie down to rest well and reduce the risk of facial swelling.

Why Wear a Band During the FUE Hair Transplant Recovery?

You’ll get a black band around your head to prevent fluid in the scalp from moving to your face.

You will have a valid reason to walk like Daniel San(Our respect to Mr. Miyagi) in Public.

We advise wearing it for four days.

You can take it off when you sleep or lie down on your back.

Some experts advise against wearing a band as it may obstruct blood flow in the scalp.

While it does create pressure, it doesn’t stop blood flow.

Good blood circulation is essential for graft survival and healthy development.

We recommend using the band because we’ve seen no negative impact on our hair transplant results.

It’s not mandatory, but without it, your face might swell as if Muhammad Ali has punched you.

I won’t go into medication details since clinics have different protocols, and we don’t want to interfere.

I know this section was long, but I wanted to provide detailed information.

Our clinic often gets approached by patients treated elsewhere for aftercare support, so I want this fundamental information accessible to everyone.

What’s Next?

Day 2 to 5.

Let’s discuss what you can expect after the first day.

Day 2 to 5 of the FUE Hair Transplant Recovery

The first visible change will be the white dots turning into dark scabs.

Scab formation is a good sign—it means your scalp is healing.

Bandage Removal and First Wash

The day after the treatment, we remove the bandage from the donor area and perform the first wash.

Some prefer to wait an extra day, thinking it helps graft embedding.

We don’t support this view.

The scalp needs the same care and delicacy throughout the first ten days.

Removing the bandage and performing the first wash provides significant relief to the patient.

We have been doing this for many years at our clinic and we haven’t observed any negative impact from doing it the next day.

Washing Protocol during FUE Hair Transplant Recovery

The washing protocol is critical for graft survival.

Whatever you do, do not rub the treatment zone!

The grafts are not secured yet, and rubbing could dislocate them.

However, you can gently rub and massage the donor area.

It might be sensitive at first, but it will stimulate blood flow and support recovery.

Using a high-quality, organic shampoo is essential since your skin is sensitive.

If you’re unsure about the shampoo, baby shampoo is a good alternative.

Daily Care FUE Hair Transplant Recovery

It’s essential to wash your head daily using this correct protocol.

This is our advice to our patients.

If you had your hair transplant elsewhere, follow their guidelines if they differ from ours.

You might notice swelling (edema) in your forehead these days.

The black band helps keep the liquid in place.

Drink plenty of water, and gently massage the front of your head, pressing edema to the sides to prevent it from moving down to your face.

Only do this while lying down.

Avoid using towels to dry your head after washing.

Instead, use a paper towel to dab the head dry.

It’s okay if the scalp remains a bit humid; it will dry out naturally.

Itching and Relief

Itching is another sign of recovery, and many patients experience it to varying degrees.

Unfortunately, you can’t scratch your scalp.

If the itching is unbearable, consider spraying saline water on the treatment zone.

This often provides relief.

Saline water, or salt water, can also support wound healing.

Foam Application Prior Washing during FUE Hair Transplant Recovery

Towards the end of this period, we advise our patients to use a foam, generally starting from the fifth wash.

Apply this foam to both the recipient and donor areas.

What does the foam do?

It helps alleviate itching, hydrates the skin, and softens the scabs.

In other words, it aids skin recovery and prepares the scabs to come off easily during the last wash.

Apply the foam before your daily washing routine.

Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

It will usually dry up entirely, becoming invisible before you shower.

Then, gently wash away the foam in the shower and follow up with a gentle shampoo wash.

That’s it for days 2 to 5.

Next, we’ll cover days 6 to 9.

Let’s continue.

Day 6 to 9 of FUE Hair Transplant Recovery

By day 6, you’ll notice the scabs have hardened, creating a pulling sensation on your scalp.

Applying the foam helps reduce this feeling.

You’ll also see the scabs have darkened and feel very hard when touched during showers.

You might still experience some sensitivity and itching, but generally, this is when patients start to feel minimal discomfort from the hair transplant.

The black band is no longer needed, and all swelling should be gone.

These last few days focus on the final stages of recovery and preparation for the final wash.

Using foam is crucial, so we strongly advise anyone who has had a hair transplant to use it.

Ready for the last day?

Let’s wrap up this blog on FUE hair transplant recovery.

Day 10 of the FUE Hair Transplant Recovery: The Big Day

After nine days of careful washing, challenging sleeping positions, and being extra cautious not to hit your head, the big day has finally arrived.

Day 10 is a critical milestone after a hair transplant—it’s the day to wash the scabs off.

The last few days have been all about preparing for this moment.

The foam applications and showers have been softening the scabs gradually.

It’s important to wash off the scabs because they can negatively impact follicle development if left on.

Here’s an expert tip.

Here’s what you need to do: apply the foam twice, waiting 10 minutes between applications.

Then, start rubbing in circular motions during your shower until all the scabs come off.

Yes, you read that right—rubbing is now allowed and necessary to remove the scabs.

Some patients are extra cautious and might need to repeat the process several times.

This is understandable but usually unnecessary if healing has been smooth and scab formation has been clean without large scabs.

In some cases, larger scabs can form due to bigger blood clots.

These need special care and may require washing off on days 12 or 13.

Forcing them off might pull out grafts, so be gentle and follow a different protocol if you have large scabs.

Successfully removing all scabs is a big relief.

Your skin can breathe again, and you can finally return to your normal sleeping position.

More importantly, there’s no longer a risk of graft dislocation.

All grafts are secure, and they’ve survived the most critical phase after a FUE hair transplant.

The first ten days are critical, so I’ve detailed them here to help you better understand FUE Hair Transplant Recovery.

For more questions about FUE hair transplants, read our FUE Hair Transplant: Costs, Procedure, & Benefits Explained blog.

Before you go, let’s quickly summarize everything for a handy overview.

This way, you can easily come back and refresh your memory in the future.

Summing Up: Quick Overview FUE Hair Transplant Recovery

Day 1: Procedure Day

• The donor area is covered with a sterile bandage.

• Apply Fito cream to speed up skin recovery.

• Expect small white dots where the grafts were implanted.

Night 1

• Minor discomfort, slight burning sensation.

• Avoid contact with the treatment zone.

• Sleep on your back to prevent graft dislocation.

Days 2-5: Initial Healing

• White dots turn into dark scabs.

• Remove bandage and perform the first wash (without rubbing).

• Use foam and gentle shampoo daily.

• Drink plenty of water, gently massage the forehead for swelling.

Days 6-9: Scabs Harden

• Scabs become darker and harder.

• Continue applying foam to soften scabs.

• Sensitivity and itching might still be present.

• Black band no longer needed; all swelling should be gone.

Day 10: The Big Day

• Time to wash off the scabs.

• Apply foam twice, wait 10 minutes, then rub in circular motions during the shower.

• Successful scab removal allows the skin to breathe and ensures no graft dislocation.

Extra Tips

• Use high-quality or baby shampoo.

• Avoid using towels; dab with paper towels instead.

• If itching is unbearable, spray saline water on the treatment zone.

Final Thoughts

As a hair restoration clinic, we aim to support your hair restoration journey.

Whether you’re just starting to consider a hair transplant or are already well into the process, we’re here to help.

Our hair clinic in Istanbul, Turkey, offers FUE and DHI hair transplants.

If you’re considering a hair transplant in Turkey, I highly recommend reading our “Hair Transplant in Turkey” blog.

I’ve included 15 expert tips for the best hair transplant in Turkey experience.

Actually, these tips are valuable no matter where you get your procedure done.

The first ten days of recovery are critical, and understanding what to expect can make a huge difference in your experience.

Remember, proper aftercare is essential for the success of your hair transplant.

Follow the guidelines, use the right products, and care for your scalp.

We’re here to guide you every step of the way and ensure you have access to accurate and helpful information.

Reach out to us if you still have any questions about the fue hair transplant recovery process or other hair transplant questions.

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