What happens, stage by stage, after a hair transplant? This guide explains what is usually normal, what to avoid and when to contact the clinic. The written instructions you receive always take priority.
Recovery and hair growth follow a fairly predictable course, but the pace varies from person to person.
Explore our patient guidesSleep with your head slightly raised, avoid touching or scratching the treated area and follow the medication schedule you were given. Mild swelling of the forehead is common.
Washing starts on the day and in the way specified by the clinic, usually with gentle dabbing of lotion and foam without rubbing. Small scabs gradually soften and come away with washing.
Most daily activities are resumed. Strenuous sport, swimming, saunas and direct sun on the scalp are usually postponed until the clinic advises otherwise.
A large proportion of the transplanted hairs fall out in the first weeks. This is a normal part of the hair cycle; the follicles remain in place and regrowth begins in the following months.
New hair gradually becomes more visible and thicker. The rate of growth varies from person to person; the final appearance is usually assessed at 12–18 months.
The first wash is usually shown or explained by the clinic. Apply the lotion and foam you were given with gentle dabbing, without rubbing, and rinse with lukewarm, low-pressure water. Pat the area dry gently. Scabs usually fall off within ten to fourteen days.
For the first few nights, sleep on your back with your head raised on pillows or a neck pillow. This reduces swelling and keeps the transplanted area from touching the pillow. Use a clean pillowcase.
Many people return to desk work after about one week to ten days. Light walks can usually be taken early on. Fitness training, contact sports, swimming and saunas are usually postponed for a few weeks; check with your clinic before resuming.
In an emergency, call the emergency medical services where you are.
Our team remains available for your questions throughout your recovery. Because hair growth takes months, sharing progress photos taken in the same light and from the same angles makes it easier for our team to tell you whether things are progressing as expected.
Recovery and visible hair growth vary from person to person. Scabs usually fall off within two weeks; new hair grows over the following months and the final result is usually assessed at 12–18 months.
Our patients receive care instructions and help with obtaining their post-procedure medication, and our team remains available to answer questions throughout recovery.
Yes. A large proportion of the transplanted hairs fall out in the first weeks. The follicles stay in place and new growth usually starts a few months later.
Many people return to desk work after about one week to ten days. Strenuous exercise, swimming and saunas are usually postponed for a few weeks; the clinic will tell you when you can resume them.
Share your goals and a few photos of your hair. Our team will review them and explain which options may be suitable for you, what you can expect and what the next steps are.
Tell us briefly about yourself. To share photos of your hair, you can use the hair analysis form.
Personally planned hair transplants in Istanbul since 2009.
