Can I lose grafts or hair follicles 7 days after hair transplant by scratching the scubs carefully with my finger and nails?

Question

Hello I had a FUE hair transplant 9 days and started gently removing the scubs, yesterday with my fingers and nails because the area was very dry and itchy. The problem is that with the scubs some hair attached to them on both sides came out and some scubs where with 2 or 3 hairs attached but no bleeding occur on my transplanted area. I hope this are not the grafts that came out can you help me on this? I still have small hairs left without scubs and I collect what came off and send you a photo

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

In general it is relatively hard to actually pull out the grafts about a week after surgery.  You really need to "dig" deep and hard to pull the grafts out.  Dr. Rassman actually wrote about this and published papers on this subject matter.  I personally have, on one occasion, tried to remove two grafts that a particular patient wanted out (because he thought it was in the wrong place).  After 5 days, it was very difficult to coax the grafts out.You may have pulled out a few grafts unintentionally but in the grand scheme of things, there is not much you can do at this point and it probably will not matter much with respect to your overall results.

Sara Salas, MD · Answer

More than likely no you cannot pull grafts out by simply scratching but you may wish to be cautious anyway. Be gentle.

Ilker Apaydin, MD · Answer

It is common to see the hair shaft falling with the scabs  7-8 days after the surgery.On the other hand instead of using your nails prefer your fingers and if you see bleeding stop the massage for a few more days.

M. Khawar Nazir, MBBS, MS(Derm) · Answer

Hair shedding is normal & common after hair transplant.When scabs are removed, generally hair attached with them also come out of it. These are just hair shafts and not the hair root.You hair will regrow in coming months.So no worries at all.Please visit & follow your hair restoration surgeon for proper assessment & better management.

Rashid M. Rashid, PhD, MD · Answer

and your medical history, age and other variables you are usually ok after 7 days.  The hairs normally shed.

Can I lose grafts or hair follicles 7 days after hair transplant by scratching the scubs carefully with my finger and nails?

Answers (7)

Answer: Hair Shedding after Hair Transplant

Answer: Hair Shedding after Hair Transplant

Answer: Depending how the method of transplant

Answer: Depending how the method of transplant

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Everything you need to know about FUE Hair Transplant

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Can I lose grafts or hair follicles 7 days after hair transplant by scratching the scubs carefully with my finger and nails?

Answers (7)

Answer: Hair Shedding after Hair Transplant

Answer: Hair Shedding after Hair Transplant

Answer: Depending how the method of transplant

Answer: Depending how the method of transplant

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about FUE Hair Transplant

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