Your hair transplant’s success doesn’t end when you leave the clinic.
It depends on YOU.
Dr. Cole’s surgical expertise and advanced techniques set the foundation. But what you do in the days and weeks after your procedure determines how well those grafts take root.
This guide covers exactly what to do, what to avoid, and what to expect during recovery. Follow these steps, and you’ll give your transplant the best chance to thrive.
Don’t Stop Your Hair Loss Treatment
Hair transplants move healthy follicles from donor areas to thinning spots.
They don’t stop future hair loss.
Think of it this way: a transplant fixes what’s already happened. It doesn’t prevent what’s coming.
Without ongoing treatment, you could end up with a full hairline but thinning behind it. That looks unnatural.
Dr. Cole recommends most patients continue finasteride (Propecia) unless instructed otherwise.
If finasteride doesn’t work for you, CRP + ACell treatments and stem cell therapies offer alternatives that can slow future thinning.
What to Avoid in the First Two Weeks
The first two weeks are critical. Your grafts haven’t fully anchored yet.
One wrong move can dislodge them.
Physical exercise: Skip the gym for the first week. Yes, that includes golf. Light walking is fine after 48 hours, but anything that raises your heart rate or causes sweating should wait.
Swimming and baths: Don’t submerge your scalp in pools, hot tubs, or baths. Showers are fine.
Sun exposure: Your scalp is extremely sensitive to UV rays after the procedure. Sun can damage both the skin and the transplanted follicles. Wear a loose hat when outside, but only after day two.
Alcohol and tobacco: Both impair circulation to the scalp. Your follicles need blood flow to heal. Cut these out for at least a week.
Blood thinners: Avoid ibuprofen, Advil, aspirin, and arthritis medications. These increase bleeding risk. Stick to what we prescribe.
Styling products: No gels, sprays, or chemical treatments unless they’re specifically for post-op recovery.
Hair dye: Wait at least a month before coloring your hair.
Touching your head: Resist the urge to rub, scratch, or feel the grafts. Your fingers can dislodge them.
Bending over: Keep your head elevated for the first four days. Sleep in a recliner or prop yourself up with three to four pillows.
Spicy food: This one surprises people. Spicy foods can affect the healing process. Keep meals mild for the first week.
The Golden Rule: Never Pick at Scabs
This deserves its own section because it’s that important.
Scabs will form around each graft. They’re itchy. They’re tempting to pick.
⚠️ Don’t.
Every time you pick a scab, you risk pulling out a transplanted follicle. That’s one less hair in your final result. If itching becomes unbearable, we can prescribe a mild topical steroid. Just ask
If itching becomes unbearable, we can prescribe a mild topical steroid. Just ask.
Your Day-by-Day Recovery Timeline
Here’s what to expect in the days following your FUE hair transplant. Knowing what’s normal helps you avoid unnecessary panic.
The Night of Your Procedure
Your scalp won’t look pretty. Expect redness, tenderness, and some minor bleeding.
Most patients are surprised by how little pain they feel. FUE is relatively painless.
We’ll clean your scalp before you leave. No need to shampoo until the next day.ֿֿ
Day 1
Pinkish and reddish discoloration is normal. This fades significantly within 24 hours.
Some redness and bruising can linger for a week or more.
The donor and recipient areas may ooze slightly. This is expected.
Day 2
Swelling typically begins. It’s painless but can look alarming.
Expect swelling on the scalp. It can also spread to the forehead and around the eyes.
This is normal. It will pass.
Day 3
Swelling usually starts to subside.
Grafts are more secure now but haven’t fully taken root. Continue being careful when touching your head.
You can start gently washing off loose scabs. Apply shampoo, let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse lightly.
Some redness, itching, and mild burning are signs of healing.
Day 10
Grafts are now fully anchored in the scalp.
You can touch your head normally. Wash off any remaining scabs, though still be gentle.
Day 14
The transplanted hair starts falling out between weeks two and three.
Don’t panic. This happens to everyone. The follicles are still alive beneath the surface. They’re just entering a resting phase before new growth begins.
The First Few Months After Your Transplant
Weeks three to four bring the most shedding. Your scalp may look similar to how it did before the procedure.
This is the “resting phase.” It’s completely normal.
New growth typically begins at the end of month two. The first hairs will be fine and thin.
Don’t worry about the thickness yet. Transplanted hair thickens over time.
For a detailed clinical timeline, see our complete hair transplant recovery guide.
How ForHair Speeds Up Your Results
Standard FUE recovery means waiting about a year for full results.
At ForHair, most patients see results in half that time.
Here’s why.
Cole Isolation Technique (CIT)
Dr. Cole’s namesake technique, CIT, is the only FUE method that enables donor follicle regeneration.
The minimally invasive extractions leave stem cell remnants behind.
With ACell injections, 30% to 40% of those extraction sites regenerate new follicles.
That means 300 to 400 extra hairs for every 1,000 grafts. Hair transplants usually move hair, not create it. CIT + ACell changes that equation.
CRP (Cytokine-Rich Plasma)
CRP is Dr. Cole’s advanced version of PRP. It contains 5 to 8 times more growth factors.
The impact on recovery is dramatic.
With CRP: 80% of grafts start growing within three months. 99% are growing by four and a half months.
Without CRP, you’d wait nearly a year for the same results.
Stem Cell Suspensions
Stem cell treatments are showing remarkable promise.
We collect small scalp biopsies, separate the stem cell material, and inject it the day of the procedure and again a month later.
Early research shows density increases of around 30%.
Combined with CIT and CRP, these treatments create a powerful combination for faster, thicker growth.
Recovery Products That Actually Help
Most styling products block oxygen from the scalp and require harsh washing to remove.
That’s the opposite of what healing follicles need.
Dr. Cole developed HairCycle products specifically for post-transplant care.
HairCycle Shampoo and Conditioner: Gentle formulas with natural DHT-blocking ingredients. They clean without stripping or irritating the scalp.
HairCycle Texture Gel and Volumizing Spray: Light, easy to remove, and doubles as sunscreen for the scalp. You can style your hair without compromising healing.
HairCycle Post Surgical Gel: Contains essential nutrients and growth stimulants. Minimizes scarring, reduces itching, and calms irritation.
HairCycle Post Biotin Spray: Keeps scabs moist and promotes scalp healing. Works for any scalp injury, not just transplants.
The Bottom Line
Hair transplant recovery isn’t complicated. But it does require attention.
Follow the rules for the first two weeks. Don’t pick at scabs. Keep up your hair retention treatment.
Do these things, and you’ll give your transplant the best possible chance.
At ForHair, we don’t just perform procedures. We support you through recovery.
Expect follow-up calls. Expect us to answer your questions. We want your results to be as good as you do.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a free consultation today.
When can I wash my hair after a hair transplant?
You can start gently washing on day three.
Apply shampoo to the grafted area, let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse with light water pressure. Don’t rub or scrub. By day 10, you can wash more normally, though still be gentle
Why does transplanted hair fall out after surgery?
This is called “shock loss” and it’s completely normal.
The transplanted hairs shed between weeks two and four. The follicles remain alive beneath the skin.
They enter a resting phase before producing new, permanent hair growth around month two or three.
When can I exercise after a hair transplant?
Light walking is fine after 48 hours.
Wait at least one week before returning to the gym, running, or any activity that causes sweating. Heavy weightlifting and contact sports should wait two weeks or longer
How long until I see final results?
Standard FUE results take 12 to 18 months to fully mature.
With ForHair’s CRP treatment, 99% of grafts are growing by 4.5 months. That’s about half the typical timeline.
Final thickness and maturation still take 12 to 18 months, but you’ll see significant progress much sooner.
Can I wear a hat after my hair transplant?
Avoid hats for the first two days unless you’re outside and need sun protection.
After day two, loose-fitting hats are fine. Avoid anything tight that could rub against the grafts. By day 10, you can wear hats normally
What helps with itching during recovery?
Itching is a sign of healing, but it can be intense.
Don’t scratch. You’ll risk dislodging grafts.
HairCycle Post Surgical Gel helps reduce itching. If it’s unbearable, we can prescribe a mild topical steroid.
References
1. Rassman WR, Bernstein RM, McClellan R, Jones R, Worton E, Uyttendaele H. Follicular unit extraction: minimally invasive surgery for hair transplantation. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28(8):720-728. PubMed
2. Gupta AK, Carviel J. A Mechanistic Model of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia. Dermatol Surg. 2016;42(12):1335-1339. PubMed
3. Rose PT. Hair Restoration Surgery: Challenges and Solutions. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:361-370. PubMed
4. International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Post-Operative Care Guidelines. ISHRS. ISHRS.org
