Day 10 After a Hair Transplant: What Happens and How to Care for the Scalp Correctly

Day 10 after a hair transplant marks a key point in recovery. It is the moment when scabs are removed and a phase focused on scalp care to support hair growth begins.

Below, Dr J.M. Úbeda, hair surgeon, explains what happens at this stage and how to manage it correctly.

Article written by Dr J.M. Úbeda
Hair Surgeon · Medical Director, Clínica Alpha

Day 10 after the hair transplant: the true beginning of care

As a hair surgeon, I have accompanied hundreds of patients through their recovery after a hair transplant. One of the most important — and often least understood — moments begins around the tenth day, when we remove the scabs that have formed during skin healing after the incisions. From that point on, the most critical phase is behind us, but we must take special care not to cause any discomfort to the skin or the treated areas after surgery. This is the starting point of a key phase for consolidating the results the patient has worked so hard to achieve.

From this moment on, the scalp enters a phase of active regeneration. The skin begins to regenerate and stabilise, the transplanted follicles are firmly and safely settled in their new position, and the tissue begins to recover its natural balance. Going forward, care is no longer focused so much on the immediate protection of the transplant, but on creating a healthy and stable environment for the new hair to grow strong and complication-free.

What happens to the scalp from day 10

During the first days after the transplant, the scalp shows inflammation, redness and scab formation. However, by day 10, the skin begins to normalise and the implanted follicles are firm enough to withstand safer manipulation. It is a moment of cell renewal and improved circulation, which supports oxygenation and nutrition of the grafts.

At this stage, the main goal is to maintain skin balance: avoid irritation, regulate hydration and gently stimulate the area to support the healing process. It is not about doing more, but doing it with judgement.

Care routine: cleansing, hydration and protection

Hygiene remains important, but now plays a more functional than restrictive role. From day ten onwards, a gentle shampoo formulated for sensitive scalp should be used, applied with soft movements and rinsed with lukewarm water. The aim is not only to remove residue, but to maintain a clean environment free of irritants.

Remember that in this post-operative phase we must normalise the shedding of transplanted hair; understanding that the hair falls out but the follicle remains is key to maintaining mental balance and not succumbing to anxiety at the sight of that shedding.

Hydration now takes centre stage. Newly regenerated skin needs to maintain its protective barrier in good condition. Light, soothing, non-comedogenic products help preserve elasticity without blocking the follicles.

Finally, protection against external factors is essential. Sun exposure or pollution can disrupt the recovery process, so it is advisable to protect the scalp — for example, with a breathable cap — whenever going outside.

Patience and consistency: the real treatment

One of the things I stress most to my patients is the importance of patience. Hair growth is a slow biological process: the first visible changes usually appear between the third and sixth month. That is why daily consistency in care is the key to achieving a natural and long-lasting result.

Every step, however simple it may seem, contributes to the final outcome: keeping the skin healthy, the follicles oxygenated, and the scalp free from tension. There are no shortcuts; progress is built day by day.

Conclusion

Day ten marks the beginning of post-transplant care. From here, the focus should be on supporting the scalp through its regeneration process with moderate cleansing, balanced hydration and consistent protection.

Following your hair surgeon’s instructions to the letter, combined with impeccable and consistent care, is the absolute guarantee of achieving the result you so desire.

What truly makes the difference is conscious attention, regularity and respect for the biological timings of hair growth, always under the guidance of your specialist.

Caring for your transplant does not end with the surgery: it begins when you decide to do it with patience, consistency and trust in the protocol your doctor has designed for you.

Article for FolicLab by:
Dr J.M. Úbeda
Hair Surgeon
Medical Director, Clínica Alpha (Madrid)