The Crucial First 10 Days: How to Wash Your Hair Post-Op
Improper washing can dislodge grafts and ruin your surgery. Follow this strict, day-by-day protocol for washing your scalp to ensure perfect healing.
The Importance of the First Wash
After a hair transplant, the newly implanted grafts are incredibly fragile. It takes about 7 to 10 days for them to fully anchor into the tissue. During this window, how you wash your scalp is the difference between a dense, successful result and losing precious grafts. Most clinics perform the first wash on Day 2 or Day 3, but after that, you are on your own.
Step 1: Applying the Lotion (Softening the Scabs)
Before any washing, you must apply the panthenol-based lotion provided by your clinic directly onto the transplanted area. Be generous. Do not rub; simply tap it on gently. Let it sit for 30 to 45 minutes. This softens the dried blood and scabs, making them easy to remove without pulling the grafts.
Step 2: The Washing Technique
After the lotion has done its job, rinse it off with lukewarm water using low pressure (do not use a direct showerhead; pour water from a cup). Next, foam up the special medical shampoo in your hands. Apply the foam to your scalp using very gentle tapping motions. Absolutely no rubbing or circular motions in the recipient area. The donor area (back of the head) can be massaged gently to stimulate blood flow and clean the extraction sites.
Step 3: Drying and Scab Removal
Do not use regular cotton towels, as the loops can catch and pull out the grafts. Use sterile paper towels and only gently pat the scalp to absorb moisture. Let it air dry. By Day 10, following this routine daily, you will perform the "scab removal wash" where slightly more pressure is applied to clear the scalp completely, allowing the skin to breathe.