7 weeks post op hair transplant, still have scabs. My clinic told me to scrub them out. Is this normal, have I lost grafts?

Question

Hi, this morning I had been rubbing my hair in right corner not realising whilst I was asleep. I sent picture to clinic where I got it done and someone responded saying seems like 7weeks post op you still have quite few scabs and scrub them out. Its okay to put some force hair falling out would be normal. I have now scrubbed lightly even though he said with some pressure and washed hair, it now looks like the later pictures. Is this normal and does it look I’ve lost grafts? Regards, Hammad

Serkan Aygin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! We tell our patients to start with the post-operative hair washing process 3 days after their hair transplant procedures and to follow the instructions once a day for 15 days.  
From the 14th day onwards, you may start massaging your head softly during the washing process. All crusts should be gone within 15 days at the latest. In your case, scabbing has persisted beyond 14 days, which indicates that you haven’t been shampooing vigorously enough. It is safe to shampoo and rub off the crusts with your fingertips until they are all gone.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello, great question. Yes you can scrub to remove the existing scabs with no damage done to your grafts.

Prima Tossaborvon, MD, MSc · Answer

Normal the scab together with transplanted hair will start falling off 2 weeks after surgery. If not, you can start using your fingertip to gently rub it to clean the procedure area. This action might cause the transplanted hair falls out but, no worries, it's normal. Most of them will shed and regrow in the next 3-4 months.

Taleb Barghouthi, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It is safe to scrub the scabs well around 10 days after the procedure. Different doctors have different instructions, but generally 7-12 days is probably the common belief. 7 weeks is too long to keep it without scrubbing it well. You should do it.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

You should shampoo aggressively now with your finger tips and rub off the crusts until they are all gone. It is absolutely safe

7 weeks post op hair transplant, still have scabs. My clinic told me to scrub them out. Is this normal, have I lost grafts?

Answers (5)

Answer: Scrubbing post HT

Answer: Scrubbing post HT

Answer: Scabs present

Answer: Scabs present

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7 weeks post op hair transplant, still have scabs. My clinic told me to scrub them out. Is this normal, have I lost grafts?

Answers (5)

Answer: Scrubbing post HT

Answer: Scrubbing post HT

Answer: Scabs present

Answer: Scabs present

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

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