2 weeks post FUE. I rubbed my dry hair to remove the scabs that fell with the hair. Have I damaged my follicles?

Question

Dear all, It has been 14 days I was grafted by FUE. Part of scabs fell by the use of oils that morning in a circular motion by my finger but In the afternoon I rubbed dry my hair to remove the scabs that fell with the hair. My question was if I damaged my grafts or follicles?? Thank you in advance

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you followed your post operative instructions on how to wash your hair it should be fine. There is no way to assess if you damaged your grafts on the Internet.  Most likely it should be fine, but there is no way to tell.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is important that you are gentle in the touching and cleaning of your scalp within the first two weeks after the procedure. You should also be aware of sun and wind exposure as well as too harshly taking on and off clothes around your scalp. Please review recovery instructions with your board certified facial plastic surgeon. We recommend our patients use baby shampoo and massage their head gently in the shower.

Best wishes,

Best wishes,

Sean Behnam, MD · Answer

At 14 days the scabs should be off, and your grafts are pretty firmly anchored into the skin now. Gently rubbing off the scabs shouldn't cause any issues, and if had damaged the grafts there would likely be blood or some kind of evidence of trauma. Can't say with 100% certainty they're fine over the internet, but it sounds perfectly normal.

Robert M. Bernstein, MD · Answer

At two weeks following your procedure, the grafts are permanently in place and will not be dislodged.  Rubbing your scabs gently to allow them to come off at this point is fine and should not damage them.

Rae Lynne Kinler, MD · Answer

at this point in time your grafts are secure. the scabs and the hair shafts should be falling out at this point in time, which is normal.

Justin Misko, MD · Answer

I recommend soaking your scalp by laying in a tub if you have crusts at 14 days post op your FUE.  I don't think you damaged the scalp by rubbing it at this point, specifically if there wasn't any blood or oozing.  Check with your doctor but I typically have my patients resume normal hair washings at this point.

Ilhan Serdaroglu, MD · Answer

No , you don't damaged them ...Transplanted graft’s hair starts to shedding in the first week of surgery and may go on untill 4-6 th weeks after surgery. İt is not surprising to lost approx.  %70-80 of all transplanted hair shafts in first month when you are washing, gently rubbing  or touching the head.

Cory Torgerson, MD, PhD, FRCSC - Account Suspended · Answer

By 2 weeks post op I wouldn't say that you did any damage by rubbing the scabs. Everything is pretty settled by day 10. But if you do suspect any damage may have been done be sure to mention it at your next follow up with your doctor.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

There is always a risk of pulling out grafts when you rub the crusts off. I wrote an article on this. This is what I tell my patients:  Within 3 days of surgery, you can resume full activities, heavy exercises if you wish. The recipient area requires daily washes as well to keep the recipient area free of crusts. I generally recommend the use of a sponge and supply my patient with a surgical sponge to fill with soapy water and press on the recipient area daily. By repeating this daily, all crusts can be washed off without any fear of losing grafts. IF any crust are present, use a Q tip and dip it into soapy water, and roll it on the crusts and that will lift them off without dislodging them, but never rub them, just roll the Q tip on the recipient crust. I like to see no evidence of any crusting in the recipient area and the crusts from the donor area gone in 7-10 days with daily washing.

2 weeks post FUE. I rubbed my dry hair to remove the scabs that fell with the hair. Have I damaged my follicles?

Answers (9)

More FUE Hair Transplant Questions

After FUE, is it correct the donor area will replenish approximately 25% of the grafts that were harvested from it?

What kind of pain to expect? Feeling like I have the flu. Is it still safe to do it?

Hair transplant at 24 Norwood 2? Am I a candidate for FUE? (Photos)

Did I actually have 2800 grafts implanted? (Photo)

Is touching the recipient area on 4th day after FUE a cause for concern?

When would I see results with an FUE? Not just growth, but actual noticeable results.

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS