How long after FUE transplant can I shave my head with a razor?

Question

I just had FUE and I would like to shave my head (with a razor) as soon as it is safe to do so. I started shaving regularly early on in my hair loss, so people think I shave out of personal preference not MPB as I went from almost a full head of hair to nothing. I'd prefer to keep that illusion and surprise them with a full head again in 6 months or so. Also will the transplanted hairs that fall in a few weeks appear as stubble shadow or nothing when they're in their dormant phase? Thanks!

Emrah Cinik, MD · Answer

for the recipient area normally you should wait around 5-6 months before shaving. it is better to use scissors in meanwhile. But it is better if you consult with your doctor.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

It is best to ask your surgeon about post operative care as each doctor has their unique regimen.   You can shave your head when your wounds have healed.

Sean Behnam, MD · Answer

It is my philosophy and opinion not to be aggressive  with the transplanted hairs until they have healed and fallen out. So in my practice, we don't use any razors until all the hairs have fallen out between 3-4 weeks after the procedure. There may be a chance that when you use a razor you may actually damage the grafts. Although there are no studies that have concluded this, but in my practice I take a very conservative philosophy and it has helped me out tremendously with my results.

Baubac Hayatdavoudi, MD · Answer

Post op instructions can vary from surgeon to surgeon. It is critical that you follow your hair transplant doctors specific post op instructions.

Bobbi D. Edwards, MD · Answer

I recommend my patients wait a week or until all the scabs are off the scalp before shaving the scalp.  However, post operative instructions vary from patient to patient so I recommend you check with your physician.

Allan J. Parungao, MD · Answer

You need to run this by your own transplant surgeon. In our practice, we let our patients shave post-FUE to "even things up," at 7 days after the procedure.  We ask them to not shave the grafted areas.  When we let them shave, we are referring to "blending" the donor area with the residual fringe of hair that was left surrounding the recipient sites.  This gives the "undercut" style that is very popular today.  Good luck to you.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

I would wait a full 7 days after all of the crusts are completely off.  N ever do this while there are crusts present or you will lose the grafts

Brian Goertz, MD (retired) · Answer

If you have a hair transplant and donor harvesting is by FUE (follicular unit extraction), you will have punctate scars from each extraction. If you have 1500 follicular units extracted you will have 1500 scars. Shaving the head is never recommended after FUE. Remember, there is no such thing as scar-less hair transplant surgery.

How long after FUE transplant can I shave my head with a razor?

Answers (8)