Hair transplant aftercare: Dr Carles Ortiz answers your questions

Care after a hair transplant changes over time. At first, the clinic’s protocol takes priority, with a focus on protecting the treated area. Later, the aim gradually shifts from protecting the grafts to establishing a suitable routine for cleansing and caring for the scalp and hair.

Understanding what each stage requires helps avoid two common mistakes: easing off too soon or unnecessarily prolonging precautions that only apply to the first few days.

We spoke with Dr Carles Ortiz Rodríguez, a hair transplant surgeon at Clínica Capilar BCI in Barcelona, a member of the ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) and a specialist in FUE and FUSS techniques. He answers some of the most common questions about hair transplant aftercare, from the first washes to a long-term routine.

When does hair transplant aftercare actually begin?

Dr Carles Ortiz: Care begins at the time of the procedure. During the first few days, however, it should follow the clinic’s protocol rather than decisions made independently by the patient.

When and how to carry out the first wash, when to apply certain products and which activities to avoid can vary depending on the technique used, how the procedure went and each patient’s circumstances.

Especially at the beginning, following the medical team’s instructions correctly matters more than choosing a particular product yourself.

How should the scalp be washed at home after the initial care phase?

Dr Carles Ortiz: Once the scabs have been removed, and following the clinic’s instructions, it is important to maintain regular scalp hygiene through washing at home.

From that point, washing usually involves lukewarm water and gentle movements, gradually introducing fingertip massage and adjusting the pressure to the scalp’s sensitivity. This massage creates controlled friction that can help keep the area clean and remove small pieces of skin or residue, always without scratching or using forceful movements.

Both the frequency and the specific technique must be adapted to the clinic’s instructions and each patient’s progress.

Further reading: our step-by-step guide explains how to wash your scalp after a hair transplant.

What should you look for in a shampoo after a hair transplant?

Dr Carles Ortiz: After a hair procedure, it makes sense to avoid unnecessarily harsh cleansing, especially while the scalp is more sensitive.

In general, it is reasonable to prioritise formulations with moderate cleansing action, a pH close to the scalp’s physiological pH and good skin tolerability, avoiding ingredients or cleansing systems that may be too harsh for a sensitised scalp.

It is also important not to assume that every product marketed as “gentle” necessarily has the same characteristics. The formulation should be considered as a whole and matched to the patient’s circumstances.

Further reading: see our guide to which shampoo to use after a hair transplant and what to consider, and our analysis of the pH a hair transplant shampoo should have.

How does shampoo for the first few days differ from shampoo for a regular routine afterwards?

Dr Carles Ortiz: These are two stages with different priorities.

Immediately after the procedure, the main aim is to follow the clinic’s initial instructions. At this stage, the type of product, washing frequency and, above all, washing technique depend on the procedure performed.

Once that initial care phase is over, the priority changes. It becomes less about physically protecting the grafts during every wash and more about maintaining good hygiene and using products suited to the scalp and the usual frequency of use.

A product intended specifically for the first few days and a shampoo intended for regular care therefore do not necessarily have exactly the same purpose.

Is itching, redness or flaking normal?

Dr Carles Ortiz: Itching, some redness or flaking can occur after a hair transplant. Within certain limits, these are among the changes we frequently see during the early stages.

However, we should assess these symptoms not only by whether they are present, but also by their severity, duration and how they develop.

If a symptom is severe, lasts longer than expected, appears suddenly or causes any concern, the right step is to contact the clinic that performed the procedure.

Further reading: see our articles on itching, redness and flaking or dandruff after a hair transplant.

When are the specific precautions for the first few days no longer needed?

Dr Carles Ortiz: There is no single day that applies equally to every patient. Recovery after a transplant is gradual.

The first few days involve quite specific instructions. Restrictions are then gradually lifted as scabs disappear, sensitivity decreases and clinical progress is satisfactory.

It is therefore more accurate to think of this as a transition rather than an overnight change. Timelines provide guidance, but the patient’s progress and the clinic’s judgement should determine that transition.

Further reading: see our articles on care around day 10 after a hair transplant and shock loss after a hair transplant.

How does care change when the transplanted hair starts growing?

Dr Carles Ortiz: As time passes, physically protecting the transplanted area becomes less of a concern and the patient gradually returns to a much more normal routine.

The hair can increasingly be washed, cut and handled like the rest of the hair, provided recovery has progressed properly. The important thing then is to maintain sensible hygiene habits and use products the scalp tolerates well.

At this stage, the questions also change. The focus is less on protecting the grafts and more on gradually returning to a normal cleansing and care routine suited to each patient.

Further reading: we explain this transition in our guide to how transplanted hair develops after a hair transplant.

Does transplanted hair really need different long-term care from non-transplanted hair?

Dr Carles Ortiz: Once the transplanted follicles are properly integrated and the hair has grown, we should not suggest that the hair is permanently fragile or needs to be handled with fear.

However, hair care does not depend solely on where the hair comes from. The condition and sensitivity of the scalp, washing frequency, dermatitis or other conditions, and individual tolerance of products also matter.

Some patients regain almost exactly the same tolerance they had before the procedure. Others continue to experience some sensitivity, dryness or reactivity for longer.

In those cases, it makes sense to pay attention to the shampoo formulation and maintain a gentle routine. The reason is not that the transplant must be treated indefinitely as a freshly operated area, but that using a product suited to the scalp is part of good long-term hair care.

Can the scalp still be sensitive months after a transplant?

Dr Carles Ortiz: Yes, that can happen, although it does not affect every patient in the same way.

Some people quickly regain the tolerance they had before the procedure, while others may experience dryness, tightness or sensitivity for longer.

A universal rule such as “you can use any shampoo from month three onwards” is therefore not especially useful. The recommendation should reflect the actual condition of the scalp and how it responds to the products being used.

Does shampoo choice still matter once the transplanted hair has grown?

Dr Carles Ortiz: Shampoo choice still matters, but no longer because the grafts need physical protection.

Once the initial care phase is over, the choice should mainly depend on the scalp’s characteristics, washing frequency and the patient’s tolerance.

If sensitivity, dryness or a tendency to irritation remains, it may be reasonable to keep using gentle cleansing formulations suited to frequent use, instead of automatically returning to the previous product simply because a certain number of months has passed.

How does cosmetic care differ from medical treatment for alopecia?

Dr Carles Ortiz: They are different matters and should be kept separate.

Medical treatment for alopecia starts with a diagnosis and may include, depending on the case, treatments such as minoxidil, finasteride or other options prescribed and supervised by a specialist.

Shampoo and other cosmetic care serve a different purpose: cleansing, comfort, tolerability and day-to-day maintenance of the scalp and hair.

A good shampoo can form part of a suitable routine, but it does not replace a diagnosis or medical treatment when that is indicated.

What mistakes do you most often see once patients are past the initial care phase?

Dr Carles Ortiz: One common mistake is thinking in extremes: paying very close attention to everything for a few weeks, then suddenly assuming nothing matters any more.

A sensible approach usually lies between the two. Once recovery is progressing well, the patient can lead a normal life and follow a normal hair care routine. That does not mean choosing products suited to the scalp stops making sense.

Another common mistake is choosing a product solely because it is labelled “gentle”, “natural” or “for sensitive skin”. It is better to assess the formulation as a whole, its tolerability and how the scalp actually responds.

How should transplanted hair be cared for in the long term?

Dr Carles Ortiz: Without making it unnecessarily complicated.

Cleansing that meets the patient’s actual needs, an appropriate washing frequency and well-tolerated products usually provide a good foundation.

Once the initial care phase is over, the aim should not be to keep the patient worried about their transplant, but to help them incorporate hair care into a normal, sustainable routine.

If something does not fit their usual progress — such as persistent irritation, inflammation or unexpected discomfort — they should contact their specialist rather than trying to solve it solely by changing products.

Three recommendations from Dr Carles Ortiz for someone who has had a hair transplant

1. Follow the protocol of the clinic that performed your procedure. General recommendations can provide guidance, but they do not replace your medical team’s specific instructions.
2. Do not confuse a successful recovery with no longer needing to pay attention to the scalp. Once the initial care phase is over, the aim changes from protecting the treated area to maintaining a normal, well-tolerated routine.
3. If something is not progressing as expected, seek advice before improvising. Discomfort may be part of normal recovery or require a specific assessment. The clinic that knows your case is your point of reference.

Frequently asked questions about hair transplant aftercare

When can I start washing my hair after a hair transplant?

The clinic that performed the procedure should tell you the exact timing. Once washing is authorised, avoid friction during the first few days and follow the technique your medical team has explained.

Is itching, redness or flaking normal after a hair transplant?

Within certain limits, these can occur during the early stages. Their severity, duration and progression matter. Contact your clinic if symptoms are severe, persistent or unexpected.

What should you look for in a shampoo after a hair transplant?

In general, prioritise gentle cleansing, a pH close to the scalp’s physiological pH and a formulation well tolerated by sensitive scalps, avoiding unnecessarily harsh cleansing systems.

Is shampoo for the first few days the same as shampoo for regular use?

Not necessarily. During the first few days, the priority is following the clinic’s specific protocol and protecting the treated area. Later, shampoo choice mainly depends on the scalp’s condition, washing frequency and individual tolerance.

How long do you need to use a specific shampoo after a hair transplant?

There is no universal deadline. Once the initial care phase is over, the choice should reflect the scalp’s actual needs and how it tolerates the products being used, rather than simply how much time has passed since the procedure.

Does specific long-term care for transplanted hair make sense?

Yes. Once the initial care phase is over, transplanted hair should not be considered permanently fragile and the routine can return to normal. But normalising care does not mean the products we use stop mattering. Maintaining good hygiene and using gentle formulations helps preserve the scalp’s condition and balance, avoiding unnecessary stressors that can contribute to irritation, dryness, flaking or other changes. It therefore makes sense to maintain a suitable long-term care routine for the scalp and transplanted hair, even when there is no apparent discomfort.

Does cosmetic care replace medical treatment for alopecia?

No. Medical treatment is based on a diagnosis and must be recommended by a professional. Cosmetic care forms part of everyday scalp and hair hygiene and maintenance.

From clinical aftercare to a regular routine

During the first few days after a hair transplant, the clinic’s protocol is always the reference. As those specific instructions gradually become less necessary, a different stage begins: maintaining a suitable care routine at home.

FOLIC is formulated for regular care of sensitive scalps and transplanted hair.

• No harsh surfactants or irritating ingredients.
• Formulated for regular care of sensitive scalps and transplanted hair.
• Tested under dermatological supervision.
• Recommended by doctors and hair transplant clinics.

Discover FOLIC hair transplant shampoo →

Dr Carles Ortiz Rodríguez · Medical registration number 21552. A graduate in Medicine and Surgery and a specialist in General and Digestive Surgery, he has developed his career in hair medicine and hair transplantation. He currently works as a hair transplant surgeon at Clínica Capilar BCI in Barcelona, with experience in FUE and FUSS techniques. He is a member of the ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery).