Here’s When You Can Resume Activities After A Hair Transplant

When Can I Resume Normal Physical Activity?

For the average patient who has undergone a hair transplant procedure it takes approximately five days for the follicles to completely secure themselves in their newly transplanted area.

I inform my patients that they can resume “normal activity” immediately after the procedure.  However, my definition of “normal activity” means being mindful to not increase their metabolism during the first five days post-transplant.

Whatever activity you are involved in, if the level of activity causes your heart rate to increase beyond what it is right now sitting in that chair, it’s too much activity, especially in the first five days of the procedure.  Whatever activity you are involved in, if the level of activity causes your rate of breathing to increase beyond what it is right now sitting in that chair, it’s too much activity, especially in the first five days of the procedure.  Certainly, if the level of activity is causing you to perspire, it’s too much activity, especially in the first five days of the procedure.  It took us all day to place the follicles where we want them so let’s let them secure themselves in their current position over the next five days.

With that said, you can perform “normal activities” as of right now being mindful that if the level of activity is increasing your metabolism, slow down, especially in the first five days.  You can return to completely unlimited physical activity, (swimming, weightlifting, running, intimacy, etc.), one week from tomorrow, (post-operative day number 8).”

When Can I Wash My Hair?

On the day after the procedure, (post-operative day number 1), I do not have the patient’s shower or shampoo.  I call this day, “Your day off.”  We just allow the follicles to start to secure themselves in their position on that first post-operative day.

Showering and shampooing may resume on post-operative day number 2, (with normal water pressure and temperature), utilizing what I call, “the wet washrag technique”.  The wet washrag technique is a simple but highly effective strategy to safely remove the crusting, (scabbing), that develops on the surface of the scalp.  In effect, the wet washrag technique acts as porous barrier that is placed over the recipient scalp, (where the follicles were placed).  This allows the water coming from the showerhead to gently land over the scalp instead of pounding over the unprotected recipient scalp.  I take the time to show you how to perform this technique properly, so you are confident when performing it and get you back to your normal baseline efficiently.  Once the crusting is removed, (typically within one week), there will be little noticeability that you even had a procedure at all.

For patients who had FUT or Combination harvesting procedures, I DO WANT YOU TO TOUCH THE INCISION WITH YOUR FINGERTIPS WHEN SHAMPOOING.  Do not be afraid to touch the incision.  The suture will not come out until we remove it.  By touching along the incision, it helps to wash off crusting, and it heals in the finest line possible.

When Can I Style (Comb or Brush) My Hair?

If you had an FUE procedure your hair will be very short so there is no hair to comb, brush, style, or use product in, (gel, spray, or mousse).  If you had an FUT, or Combination harvesting procedure where the hair is left long, you can comb, brush, and style your hair after shampooing, being mindful to only comb, brush, and style the hair.  Do not use a comb or brush to rake across your scalp especially in the first five days of your procedure.

You can resume hair products, (gel, spray, mousse), and combing, brushing, and styling your hair with a comb or brush completely normally on post-operative day number 9, once the wet washrag technique has completed.

When Can I Use A Hair Dryer?

It’s okay to use a hairdryer post-procedure.  Simply keep the warm air from the hairdryer moving, (do not keep the hairdryer in the same position for prolonged periods of time), for the first month post-procedure.  You can resume the normal use of a hairdryer after one month, including high heat settings.

When Can I Get A Haircut?

Haircuts:  If you had an FUE procedure, you resume haircuts as soon as your hair grows out.  If you had an FUT or Combination harvesting procedure, you can resume haircuts one-month post-procedure.

Hair Length Strategies to Minimize Noticeability:

Hair length strategy differs depending on the type of hair transplant procedure performed:

FUE:  If you are scheduled for an FUE procedure, I recommend that you cut your hair as short as you are comfortable with, one month prior to your procedure.  This allows the world to see you wearing a shorter hairstyle and they consider this look as your normal look.  Two weeks prior to your procedure, cut your hair 50% shorter.  This allows for a gradual transition into the very short style that you will have on your procedure day, and it eases the transition into your normal work and social environments post-procedure.  The world is now used to seeing you with a short hairstyle.

FUT or Combination Harvesting Procedures:  If you are scheduled for an FUT or Combination Harvesting Procedure, I recommend that you grow your hair out to the longest length possible that you are comfortable with.  This allows us to collect the largest number of follicles for your procedure while still remaining unnoticeable, even immediately post-procedure.

When Can I Color (Dye) My Hair?

For those that color their hair, we recommend coloring on a day just prior to your scheduled procedure.  You then resume coloring six weeks post-procedure.

When Can I Wear A Hat or Helmet?

Caps and coverings post-procedure: Ideally, I ask patients to not have any covering over the transplanted scalp for three days post-procedure.  But if needed, I’m okay with the use of a baseball cap, even on the day after the procedure.  Hoodies, skullcaps, helmets, etc. may resume on post-operative day number nine, after the completion of the wet washrag technique.

When Can I Sleep Normally?

For most procedures I have the patients sleep on their back, or side, for the first five nights post-procedure.  We try to minimize sleeping on our stomach for the first five nights to minimize forehead swelling that can occur for up to five days post-procedure.  After five nights, you may sleep in any position that you choose.

When Can I Resume Hair Growth Medications

Oral Finasteride and oral Minoxidil may resume immediately post-procedure. I prefer to allow the recently transplanted scalp to rest for five days post-procedure before resuming topical Minoxidil and/or Low-Level Laser Therapy.  For those using topical Minoxidil, I ask that you purchase one bottle of 2% Minoxidil, (typically sold in the lady’s haircare section of the store in a pink package).  Use the bottle of 2% Minoxidil for one month, then resume your 5% Minoxidil as per your routine.

Robert J. Reese, DO, is a board-certified general surgeon who has performed hair restoration procedures since 1999. He is experienced in both FUE and FUT hair transplantation and treats hair loss affecting the scalp, eyebrows, mustache, sideburns, and beard. Dr. Reese is a past president of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and was named a Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery as part of its inaugural class. Dr. Reese views hair restoration as a reconstructive process that can help patients regain both their hair and their sense of confidence.

Disclaimer: The contents of the Westlake Dermatology website, including text, graphics, and images, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for direct medical advice from your physician or other qualified professional.