How do you know if you have damaged grafts?

Question

Hi, i am 5 days post op and only just stared pouring water from a jug over my had with baby shampoo. I have only had my hairline reconstructed so i am able to cover the transplanted area with remaining hair. I have tried my best not to ouch the transplanted area but have done a couple of times gently. Being paranoid but is this enough to damage grafts? Thanks.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

It is best to contact your surgeon for post surgery issues and care since all doctors have slightly different instructions. Your surgeon knows the specifics of your surgery and can best assess your recipient area.

Ali Gurlek, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos
the number of grafts a patient will need depends on the thickness of their hair and the extent of their hair loss, which can be determined by the Norwood Scale below.
During a hair transplant, grafts are usually removed from the ‘donor area’ located on the back of the scalp and relocated to a balding area. The back of the scalp makes a good extraction area due to the high volume of hair follicles that congregate within that region that are not affected by the balding process. Specialist surgeons will remove a small amount of tissue that can grow hair and relocate it to the desired area of the head without damaging them.

Shaoyong Shen, MD · Answer

You are doing the right thing to wash your hair gently, remember don't pour shampoo directly into the transplant area, do not grab it vigorously, don't scratch the hair in the transplant area to prevent hair from falling out.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello, good question!! It’s OK to be “paranoid “ as you say. You just had a big procedure done and its natural to worry if you’re doing things correctly. From what you described I don’t think you have damaged anything. At this point wash gently and you should be ok.

Sagar Patel, MD · Answer

Not from pouring water. What you are doing is perfect. Keep working at it to keep the crusts away. Even running your hand over the grafts at this point won't affect the result.

Fotis Gkaragkounis, · Answer

It sounds like you have not caused any damage to your grafted hairs. It´s no problem being a little cautious either. The first few days the grafts are the most vulnerable. Until they bed themselves into the surrounding tissue. You need to take care especially in the first week. Gentle washing over the scalp and not cause any traction over the grafts. Low water pressure and ideally just warm water from a cup is best.

Taleb Barghouthi, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It seems that you are doing the right thing by gently washing. The grafts are not well fixed in place the first few days, but still they are stronger than what people imagine. Therefore gentle washes are not a concern for damage.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

From what you are describing, I doubt that you have damaged your grafts. Gentle washing to keep the crust off is the right thing to do

How do you know if you have damaged grafts?

Answers (8)