I had eyebrow transplant 10 days ago. I pulled on my scabs that had 10 to 15 hairs to it; did I destroy grafts by doing this?

Question

I am worried since so many hairs were pulled when the scab came off. However, there was no blood following what I did. The directions I was given said I could gently wash my brows with a little soap after the first week & I thought pulling on the scabs would be okay. Now, there's a missing patch of eyebrow and in a couple months, I am afraid there will be a couple bald spots due to the grafts I pulled out. Can I continue to pull on the scabs if the grafts are establish or should I leave them alone?

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Always follow up with your doctor if you have issues on post operative care.  You should not be pulling on scabs.  If they were grafts it probably will not grow back.

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

...The follicle should be somewhat integrated into the scalp.  A viable follicle would not likely be able to be pulled out so easily.  You probably just pulled out the hair.  Chances are, you're fine.

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The healing process takes about 10 days to 2 weeks.  If you pulled the scabs during this time peroied and the follicle came out then the hair will not grow, if you just pulled the hair shaft the hair will grow.

Steven M. Gitt, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

It is unlikely that you removed the follicle. More likely, they were hairs that had been released by the follicles as they enter their dormant phase. Do not pull out anything else though to prevent the inadvertent destruction of transferred follicles.

Brian Goertz, MD (retired) · Answer

Scabs should never be pulled on after transplant whether eyebrows, beard hair or hair on top of the head, pulling risks damage. Having said that since there was no bleeding it may just be hairs that have already been released by the follicle as it goes into the resting phase. You will lose all the hairs transplanted but they will reawaken if the procedure was carried out properly. Soaking scabs with a gentle sulfate free shampoo will loosen them and they will fall off on there own. In the meantime, don't worry.

I had eyebrow transplant 10 days ago. I pulled on my scabs that had 10 to 15 hairs to it; did I destroy grafts by doing this?

Answers (6)

Answer: I had eyebrow transplant 10 days ago. I pulled on my scabs that had 10 to 15 hairs to it; did I destroy grafts by doing this?

Answer: I had eyebrow transplant 10 days ago. I pulled on my scabs that had 10 to 15 hairs to it; did I destroy grafts by doing this?

Answer: Eyebrow Care After Transplant

Answer: Eyebrow Care After Transplant

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Everything you need to know about Eyebrow Transplant

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I had eyebrow transplant 10 days ago. I pulled on my scabs that had 10 to 15 hairs to it; did I destroy grafts by doing this?

Answers (6)

Answer: I had eyebrow transplant 10 days ago. I pulled on my scabs that had 10 to 15 hairs to it; did I destroy grafts by doing this?

Answer: I had eyebrow transplant 10 days ago. I pulled on my scabs that had 10 to 15 hairs to it; did I destroy grafts by doing this?

Answer: Eyebrow Care After Transplant

Answer: Eyebrow Care After Transplant

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyebrow Transplant

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