Could coughing after a hair transplant make my grafts pop?

Question

The first few days immediately following my FUE hair transplant I got a small cold and coughed a lot. Could this make my newly transplanted grafts pop? I am very concerned and hope to get feedback from you experts out here.

Daniel J. Lee, MD, FACS, ABHRS · Answer

It is unlikely that you would dislodge a graft by coughing a few days after your transplant.  While it takes five days for the graft to be fully incorporated into the scalp, even after a day the grafts are held in place by a serum plug that begins to form right after they are placed.

Serkan Aygin, MD · Answer

Although we ask patients to minimize any activity that may affect the grafts and dislocate them, in general it would be very difficult for coughing to dislodge grafts.

Eric T. Carniol, MD · Answer

Overall, the answer is no. In general, coughing, as well as straining like in the bathroom or by lifting weights, increases the blood pressure to your head. In that way, you can burst a blood vessel (like in your eye or nose), or after surgery in the area. If this were to happen right after surgery, it could make your scalp bleed more and push out the hairs. However, at 3 days, the hairs do a fair amount of sticking power, so it is unlikely that any would fall out. I wish you success with your surgery!Sincerely, Eric T. Carniol, MD

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hi. It would be very difficult to dislodge grafts by coughing so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Coughing after a hair transplant will not make the grafts pop out. They should be secure within the first day

Could coughing after a hair transplant make my grafts pop?

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Could coughing after a hair transplant make my grafts pop?

Answers (5)

Answer: Coughing

Answer: Coughing

Answer: Coughing

Answer: Coughing

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Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.