Not able to remove scabbing even after 7 days of FUE hair transplant? (photo)

Question

I have done a hair transplant fue method. Today is the 7th day after my surgery, still am not able to remove scabbing. I used to shamphoo at morning and evening. Shall i use aleo vera gell before head bath? That helps in removing the scab? Please check the picture

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear naju2174,

Thank you for posting this question. It’s a very common issue. The scabs should fall off in the next 2-3 days. I have my patients spray down their grafts once an hour for first three days after surgery to limit the amount of scabbing. It does not appear your provider subscribes to this philosophy, as you have a large amount of scabbing for 7 days. Here’s how you tackle this problem: take some baby oil and massage it into the grafts and scabs. Then let it sit there for 20 minutes. Then hop in the shower, let the jets hit the scabs, and a large number of them should shed off. Given how much scabbing you have, I would repeat this process once a day until they are all gone. Might take 2-3 days. I hope this information is helpful to you.

Kind Regards,

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Greetings,The donor area after FUE, whether by hand or ARTAS, takes some time to heal. Most patients heal atraumatically over a period of weeks. As your hairs begin to grow, the donor area becomes harder to see. Daily washes with mild soap can help keep the donor area clean. If scabs form, mild soap and water can be helpful. We use PRP in the donor area to facilitate healing as well. Best, Anil Shah

Amir Yazdan, MD · Answer

I would recommend seeing your doctor for recommendations rather than trying to ask questions on an internet forum.  It does seem like you have quite a bit of scabbing.  This is generally due to large punches being used which in turn gives you large grafts which require large incisions to be made to transplant the grafts.  The larger incisions lead to more bleeding and scabbing in patients.  You may want to spend some time in the shower over the next few days keeping your head wet with GENTLE scrubbing to try and allow the scabs to dissolve.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

It is best to ask your surgeon about post operative care as each doctor has their unique regimen.   You should return to see your doctor for a proper hair wash if you are having issues.

David Deutsch, MD · Answer

By this point most of the scabs/crusts should be gone.You probably need to be a little more vigorous with rubbing your scalp when you wash your hair.I would check with your surgeon first.

Sean Behnam, MD · Answer

This is my method of removing scabs: rinse your hair with water, then gently take a conditioner and lather it with your hands, apply it to your grafts, let it sit for 5-7 minutes, gently massage it, then gently rinse. Repeat this for 3-5 days. However if the scabs are not thick enough, I would not start this process for after 10 days after the hair transplant procedure. If you do this and does not work, you can use unscented baby oil and apply to the top of the grafts for 10 mins and gently massage it with your fingers, and then rinse with water. Obviously oils are slightly harder to remove from you scalp, however, it works very well. I hope this helps.

Ilhan Serdaroglu, MD · Answer

You have crust/scab on your top of head now, but it would be cleaned at end of second weeks. All scabs should be cleaned at the end of 2nd weeks with pressured (not gentle) massage to transplant area .Dont forget that you may wash your head with normal pressure and if you need you can use a soapy wet towel for massage the scubby area, it Works very well to remove scubs .

Ilker Apaydin, MD · Answer

If your hair surgeon has given a post operative care regiment it would be wise to follow that. In my practice I always advice to be very gentile for the first week for the recipient area washing technique. After the 10th day you may start to use your fingers for massage during the washing.Also using a moisturiser cream before every washing session will help the scabs fall swiftly in 12-14 days.

Baubac Hayatdavoudi, MD · Answer

Has your Hair Transplant surgeon recommended that you start removing the scabs at this day 7? It is important to follow your clinics post op instructions carefully.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

This should have been done on day one. Now you will have a good 3 weeks to slowly get these crusts off by leaving shampoo and conditioner on your scalp for 15 minutes each and every day when this done until the grafts come off