How to remove scabs after Hair Transplant?

Table Of Contents

What are hair transplant scabs?

Hair falling with scabs after Hair Transplant

How to clean scabs after a hair transplant?

How to get rid of scabs after a hair transplant?

Why is it important to remove scabs after a Hair Transplant?

How to take care after Hair Transplant?

What are Hair Transplant scabs? How to remove scabs after a hair transplant? How long before scabs fall off after hair transplant?

It seems that you have undergone hair transplant surgery, and the same question is striking in your mind. Don’t worry. I’m glad to guide you and solve all your queries about hair transplants. 

First of all, congratulations on having your Hair Transplant. It’s very important to get a hair transplant done by a good surgeon and at the right clinic. Similarly, aftercare and precautions are also important. Most of the patients are very much confused about hair transplant scabs, how to remove them, etc. This guide will ease your mind and put your questions to rest.

Hair transplant is one of the most effective and long-lasting treatments for hair loss. However, there are some pre and post operative care instructions that require to be followed. One of the essential parts of hair transplant after care is the removal of scabs. What are scabs and how are they formed? Is it bad to pick scabs on the scalp? These are some questions commonly asked by individuals who undergo a hair transplant.

From 1 to 3 days after a hair transplant session, small scabs on scalp can be seen. As directed by the hair transplant surgeon, the scalp needs to be frequently hydrated with normal saline which helps in prevention of scabs. When the bleeding and tissue fluids stop, crusts are formed to provide protection from infection. Small incisions created for grafting could result in the development of small scabs on the scalp. These scabs can be removed 10 days after the surgery. Create foam using the shampoo prescribed by your doctor, and with the help of the foam, gently tap the scabs off the scalp. A gentle massaging action on the scalp after soaking the hair, also helps in removing the scabs.

Picking at the scabs should be strictly avoided, as it may be harmful to the newly implanted grafts. Picking or pulling at the scabs can delay the healing of the skin. How to get rid of hair transplant scabs? How fast can scalp scabs heal? Mostly, they heal on their own and come off when they have dried. In a span of a few days to about 2 weeks, the scalp scabs fall off on their own. How long until hair transplant looks normal? As mentioned here, the scabs formed on the scalp, would heal on their own within weeks after the hair transplant procedure. Around 2-8 weeks after the surgery, the transplanted hair fall out in an expected cyclical pattern. In about 4-6 months after surgery, the hair starts growing back and till about 6-8 months after surgery, the hair grows denser. Within 1 year after hair transplant, good hair growth can be seen. For expert advice on the removal of scabs after hair transplant and hair transplant after care, a dermatologist should be consulted.

What are hair transplant scabs?

• Hair Transplant scabs are born out of the trauma inflicted on the scalp due to the small incisions while grafting.
• It takes a few days for this wound to heal completely.
• The scabs start forming on the 3rd day itself but at this point, it is tightly attached to the scalp.
• Normally, these scabs fall off in a matter of 7-14 days and depend on the number of hair grafts and the density and size of the incisions.
• Scabs help to protect the grafts hence it is important not to pick at it.

Hair falling with scabs after Hair Transplant

When scabs fall, short hairs(grafts) that were implanted also generally fall out. This is the expected phase. You don’t have to worry about your grafts. Your follicles are alive under the skin and new hairs will start to grow in about 3-4 months. If there are any hair follicles that don’t fall off with the scabs, they will grow for 3-6 weeks and generally get shed.

How to clean scabs after a hair transplant?

• You can start washing your hair with baby shampoo 72 hours after the surgery.
• You can also soak the head in the bathtub with water and baby oil to let the scabs slough off.
• Please do not pick at scabs as it can dislodge the graft completely. Just make sure to pat them gently.
• Sometimes the doctor recommends saline spraying to aid the healing process and this does not pose any threat to the graft.

How to get rid of scabs after a hair transplant?

• You can massage the scabs gently underwater without using the nails in this process.
• It is normal for some of the hair to fall off, as long as there’s no bleeding.
• Please don’t try to remove the scabs early as it can harm the follicle beneath. For the first week, keep it untouched.
• Let the scabs dry off on their own and in case of any bleeding, contact the doctor immediately.
• You can massage your scalp after the 13-15 days with light hands without any fear because the follicles will have attached themselves to the scalp properly by then and adequate blood supply would be restored.

Why is it important to remove scabs after a Hair Transplant?

As already mentioned, hair transplant scabs are formed on the scalp due to the injuries caused to the scalp from the procedure of graft extraction and transplantation. Here are a few reasons why it is necessary to remove scabs after the hair transplant.

Reduce itchiness: Depending on the incision made during the graft extraction, the density and number of grafts implanted, and other factors, the scabs can take a few days to fall off on their own. But they cause a feeling of itchiness, which might be tempting for the individual to pick at the scabs or scratch the area. It is highly advised against doing that as it could damage the newly placed grafts. The scabs could be removed by gently washing the scalp, but sometimes, a special procedure may be followed. Doing this ensures that the grafts can breathe properly after the operation.

Ensuring proper growth of the grafts: Although it is better to allow scabbing during the initial days of transplantation to secure the grafts in their spot, after a few days, it should be removed. That’s because scabs create a damp and warm environment on the scalp, which is conducive to bacteria growth. This could further lead to inflammation and hamper the appropriate growth of the hair grafts. Washing off the FUE scabs is therefore important at this point. Doctors also use a special enzyme-rich spray that dissolves the crusts after a hair transplant and helps with the easy and safe elimination of the scabs.

Prevent scarring of the scalp: It is really hard to resist the urge to scratch the area where the scabs have formed. During the early days after the hair transplant, scratching or picking at the scabs can lead to scarring of the scalp. Besides, it is also possible that the hair grafts are attached to the scabs early on after the operation, and scratching them can negatively impact the hair grafts. This must be avoided at all costs until the scabs are removed with the proper procedure.

How to take care after Hair Transplant?

• You must avoid any alcohol for a few days after surgery as it will thin your blood and hamper the healing process.
• You should avoid vitamins, ibuprofen, and arthritis medications for the first few days as they can thin the blood and cause excessive bleeding.
• Take prescribed medications like pain reliever, antibiotics, and prednisone as per instructions.
• Avoid vigorous physical activity for one week.
• Try to keep the upper part of the body elevated.
• In case of light bleeding, apply gentle pressure using a moist clean cloth.
• Do not use warm air to dry your hair for at least 5 days after surgery.
• Keep all the points intact in your actions and don’t worry. It is completely natural for the scabs to take 1-1.5 weeks to dispose of. In case of any queries, you can call your doctor. As long as you follow the correct procedure prescribed, you are at no harm.

For queries and concerns regarding hair transplants, book your consultation with a HairMD expert.