Are those scabs or necrosis? (photo)

Question

I recently had FUE of 2550 grafts in 3 days (gap in between). The image attached is taken 7 days post op. I haven't washed the scalp yet. Does it look ok? Are those scabs or necrosis?

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you have issues after surgery, even if it is scabs, you need to contact your doctor for a recheck and better cleaning.

Bernardino Arocha, MD, FISHRS · Answer

holyhair89,Those are scabs, however, it is recommended that you shampoo the hair twice per day after the procedure. Using special shampooing lathering the non-transplanted hair and applying the suds gently to the transplanted area. Avoid sideways motion, and use only gentle up and down light shampooing until 7 days after the procedure. At this time the scabs start coming off. If need be you apply vitamin E oil or K-Y jelly to the scabs one-two hours before shampooing to ease the scab to come off.Sincerely,Bernardino A. Arocha, MD

Parsa Mohebi, MD, FISHRS · Answer

You should be washing your hair with a special shampoo twice a day with a particular method to help remove the scabs within the first few days.  In our office, patients return the day after procedure to get their first hair wash and to be trained on how to wash their hair. A special shampoo is lathered up then dabbed on the scalp and allowed to sit for a few minutes to help loosen the scabs before it is carefully rinsed off using cups of lukewarm water. The process is repeated twice a day for a total of 4 days before patients return to their normal hair washing cycle.  Visit our website for more detailed instructions on “washing hair post transplant”.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Thank you for the post. What you see seem like they are scabs. You mentioned it has been 7 days post procedure, and you have not washed the scalp yet? Every clinic has their own method of post care instructions, but usually wash is included the very next day (in a special manner without touching the grafts) so what you see is normal, considering you have not washed your scalp since your procedure. Please make sure you follow post care instructions you clinic d has provided. Thank you.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Grafts contain the hair follicles that are transplanted. Your post operative care is terrible as the crusts remain caked onto your head. Be sure not to pick these off as you now have to wait until they fall off with twice daily shampooing and leaving the shampoo on your head for 5-10 minutes and gently massaging the crusts until they fall off in the next few weeks. Your doctors should have told you how to wash your hair immediately after the surgery so you would have looked like the picture in the web reference

Are those scabs or necrosis? (photo)

Answers (5)

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