Did massaging scabs in the shower cause me to lose hair grafts 10 days after my hair transplant?

Question

I had a hair transplant roughly 12 days ago. On day 10-11, I had approx. 90 percent of scabs on my head. The scabs were small, but I decided to try and work them off. On day 11, I had a shower and massaged my head with some degree of pressure. I cleared my head over the course of two showers. Is it possible that I dislodged grafts? I don't recall any blood. Is it possible to cause trauma to the grafts and cause them to die? Should I be concerned? My head is a little red, swollen, and itchy.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

It would be unlikely to lose grafts in the shower after 10 days post surgery.  If you are concerned check with your doctor for a follow up exam.

Scott K. Thompson, MD · Answer

By 10 days, your grafts should have developed sufficient connections to the surrounding tissues such that gentle massage with your fingers (not fingernails) should have helped to loosen the scabs but should not have extracted the grafts.  Good luck with your transplant!

Hardik Doshi, MD, FACS · Answer

Mustang,
It's safe to say that by day 10 your transplants are well healed into the recipient sites and will not dislodge with vigorous pressure. Furthermore, since they are well healed into the surrounding tissue by this time, cleaning the scabs will not have caused trauma leading to graft failure. At this point, the most important thing is to keep a close eye on the swelling & itchiness that you are experiencing to ensure it improves. If there is any worsening of the condition, I recommend speaking to your transplant specialist to ensure appropriate healing. Hope this helps!

John Kahen, MD · Answer

The chances of losing hair grafts after 10 days is minimal. After 10 days, you may resume regular washes. Massaging the scalp will not result in lost of hair grafts because they will be healed. If the redness, swelling and itchiness persist, talk to your hair transplant surgeon to discuss it.

Parsa Mohebi, MD, FISHRS · Answer

At day 10 after your hair transplant you can wash your hair normally without any risk of losing the grafts. You can find out more about what you should expect and to do following your hair transplant in our after FUE hair transplant page.

Cory S. Goldberg, BSc, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

Hello in California,By day 10 or 11, your grafts have attached themselves securely to your scalp and you are unlikely to dislodge them by shampooing and massaging.Don't be surprised or upset though, if you notice your grafts shedding over the next 1 or 2 weeks, as this is expected and common.  It doesn't mean your grafts are damaged, and they will start to slowly grow again in about 3 months.Make sure to use a hypoallergenic shampoo such as baby shampoo and conditioner daily.

Robert Jones, MD, FISHRS · Answer

After 10 days, you can gently remove the scabs without damaging the grafts.
Our post care instructions instruct patients to remove the scabs at 10 or 11 days.
It is normal for your scalp to be a little dry and itchy at this stage,
Dr. Robert Jones

Baubac Hayatdavoudi, MD · Answer

At 12 days post op the transplanted grafts are firmly entrenched in your scalp and would not be dislodged from massaging them with your fingers.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

I don't like the idea of anyone removing grafts that have scabs on them because we have published a paper in a formal medical journal, that when a person pulls off a scab (crust) from a recipient area in less than 12 days, the risk of losing the graft is very high.
Our routine is as follows:  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 and if you washed it properly, there will be no crusts on it, even the very next day. Use of a sponge which we supply our patients, 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 crusts 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.

Did massaging scabs in the shower cause me to lose hair grafts 10 days after my hair transplant?

Answers (9)

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