Practical guide · Transplanted hair

You've just had a hair transplant.
What do you need to know now?

What happens during the first few weeks, what's normal, what mistakes to avoid, and how to care for your scalp at home.

Clinically validated content Dr. José María Úbeda · Clínica Alpha Dr. Andrea Galaviz · Trichology

"The surgeon's work ends when you get up from the table. What happens at home over the following weeks is just as important — and it depends on you."

01 · Timeline

What happens to your scalp
week by week

Understanding the process is what prevents unnecessary alarm. Each stage has its own characteristics — and its own common questions.

Days 1–10

Scabs, sensitivity and first washes

The scalp shows redness, scabs and sensitivity to touch. The grafted area should not be touched or handled. Itching and tightness are common. FOLIC can be used from the first wash after a hair transplant.

The goal is to keep the area clean without creating extra friction. During the first washes, follow the technique set out in your aftercare instructions.

The timing and technique for scab removal depend on the aftercare protocol for each procedure. Do not force off scabs that remain attached or increase pressure on your own initiative.

Always follow your clinic's instructions
Weeks 2–8

Temporary shedding — shock loss

The transplanted hair falls out. This is normal and expected. The follicle remains intact beneath the skin and resumes activity from month 3–4 onward. It does not mean the graft has failed.

The follicle remains · Growth returns
Months 3–4

Start of visible growth

The first new hairs appear gradually. They may be finer or have a different texture at first — this is completely normal. The scalp may still be more sensitive than usual, and you may even notice a certain tight, stiff feeling. This is also part of the process.

Progressive growth · Keep up your care routine
Months 5–12

Consolidation of results

Density increases gradually. Results become clearly visible between months 9 and 12, although not all areas progress at the same rate: the frontal area and mid-scalp tend to develop earlier, while the crown can take up to 12–14 months to show its final result.

Around month 9 you may experience noticeable shedding — this is the hair's life cycle completing its first phase. There's no need to worry: it grows back. In some cases improvement continues up to 18 months. Timeframes are always approximate.

The crown can take up to month 14 · Each area evolves differently
02 · Symptoms

What's normal
and what isn't

The discomforts of the first few weeks are part of the process. Knowing how to recognise them prevents unnecessary alarm — and helps you spot when you really do need to contact your clinic.

Normal

Itching

A sign that the skin is healing.

It appears during the first few weeks and usually improves gradually. Don't scratch — it can prolong irritation. Washing correctly with the right product helps reduce it.

Normal

Redness

A natural inflammatory response to the procedure.

More intense during the first week. In sensitive or fair skin it can persist for several weeks. Protecting from the sun and avoiding irritating ingredients helps it fade sooner.

Normal

Tightness

The scalp is repairing tissue.

A feeling of tension is common during the first few weeks. It usually decreases gradually as the skin recovers.

Contact your clinic

Warning signs

Contact your clinic if any of the following appear:

  • Intense or throbbing pain in the area
  • Discharge or oozing
  • Bad odour on the scalp
  • Swelling that increases over the following days
  • Fever or general malaise
  • Numerous pus-filled pimples in the grafted area
03 · Activity and exposure

Sun, exercise, the pool
and other common questions

These are the questions that come up most often in the weeks after the transplant. Timeframes are approximate — your clinic's guidance always takes precedence.

Sun exposure

During the first few months it's best to avoid direct sun exposure on the grafted area. Solar radiation can increase inflammation, prolong redness and even alter the scalp's colouring or micropigment the graft wounds.

A breathable cap is the best protection. Sunscreen on the scalp is not usually recommended — some products contain fats and heavy substances that can cause small pimples.

Breathable cap · Avoid midday hours

Exercise and the gym

Intense exercise increases sweating, raises blood flow and can cause friction in the area. As a general guide:

  • First 7–10 days: complete rest
  • Weeks 2–3: gentle walking, low-impact stretching
  • Week 4 onward: gradual return to activity
  • Avoid contact sports during the first month
  • Returning to activity should always follow your clinic's instructions
Always as advised by your clinic

Pool and sea

These require the longest wait. Pool chlorine and sea salt can irritate a sensitive scalp during the first few weeks.

Always check with your clinic before resuming these activities. Each protocol is different and timeframes can vary case by case. When you do go back in the water, rinse your scalp thoroughly afterwards.

Always as advised by your clinic

Caps and helmets

A breathable cap is essential for sun protection once the scabs have been removed after the first wash.

Motorcycle or bicycle helmets create pressure and direct friction on the scalp. Wait until the scabs have fully come off and check with your clinic before using them.

Cap essential · Helmet: after scabs, with medical clearance
04 · Common mistakes

What people get wrong most
at home after the transplant

✕
Stopping care once temporary shedding begins

When the transplanted hair sheds in weeks 2–6, many people assume "there's no point in caring for it anymore." The shedding is temporary. The follicle remains — and the scalp still needs care.

✕
Going back to your regular shampoo too soon

When the scabs disappear and the scalp "looks recovered," many people go back to their usual shampoo. The scalp can remain sensitive for months even without visible symptoms.

✕
Scratching when it itches

Itching is a normal sign of healing. Scratching can prolong irritation and introduce bacteria into an area that is still healing. Washing correctly is the most effective response.

✕
Sun exposure without protection during the first months

Solar radiation can intensify inflammation, prolong redness and even micropigment the graft wounds. Wear a breathable cap whenever you go outside.

✕
Returning to intense exercise too soon

Excessive sweating and increased blood flow can affect the area in the first few days. The return to activity should be gradual and always follow your clinic's instructions. Avoid contact sports during the first month.

✕
Smoking during the first 10 days

Tobacco reduces blood flow and can interfere with the healing process. It's recommended to avoid it during the first 10 days after the transplant.

!
Many people believe care ends once the scabs disappear.

In reality, the scalp can remain sensitive for months. And transplanted hair remains transplanted hair — permanently. Care doesn't have an expiry date.

05 · When to contact your clinic

Most discomfort after a transplant is normal and doesn't require a consultation. But some signs do warrant medical attention. Contact your clinic if you notice:

Intense or throbbing pain in the grafted area
Discharge, oozing or bad odour
Swelling that doesn't improve or gets worse over time
Fever or general malaise
Redness that spreads beyond the treated area
Any concern that causes uncertainty — that's what your clinic is there for
Practical summary

Checklist for the
first few weeks

The most important points, at a glance.

Do
  • Follow your clinic's instructions at every stage
  • Wash your scalp once your clinic authorises it
  • Protect from the sun with a breathable cap
  • Use a shampoo suited to a sensitive scalp
  • Keep up your care routine even once temporary shedding begins
  • Contact your clinic at any warning sign
Avoid
  • Scratching the area even if it itches
  • Sun exposure without protection during the first few weeks
  • Going back to your usual shampoo too soon
  • Intense exercise in the first few days
  • Swimming in a pool or the sea without checking with your clinic
  • Smoking during the first 10 days of healing
  • Assuming care ends once the scabs fall off
06 · Scalp care

What to look for in a shampoo
after a hair transplant

Shampoo is the product you use every day. On a scalp that can stay sensitive for months, formulation matters. A "gentle" or "sulphate-free" shampoo isn't the same as one that's actually suited to this situation.

✓
Physiological pH (~5.5)

The scalp has a naturally slightly acidic pH. A conventional shampoo can have a higher pH and disrupt that balance, increasing sensitivity. A pH of ~5.5 respects the natural balance.

✓
No harsh surfactants

Sulphates (SLS, SLES) strip away natural sebum and disrupt the skin barrier. A scalp that's already sensitised reacts worse to these ingredients and can fall into a cycle of ongoing irritation.

✓
No irritating ingredients

Harsh alcohols, strong synthetic fragrances and heavy silicones can keep the scalp reactive. The full formulation matters — not just the absence of sulphates.

Ú
Dr. José María Úbeda Hair transplant surgeon · Medical Director, Clínica Alpha, Madrid

From the first wash, shampoo forms part of the regular care routine for transplanted hair.

G
Dr. Andrea Galaviz Specialist in hair transplant surgery and trichology

"Shock loss causes alarm because it's visible. But the follicle remains. What doesn't remain without care is the balance of the scalp during that stage."

FOLIC · Specialist scalp and hair care

If there's one product you'll use practically every day over the coming months, it's your shampoo. That's why it's worth choosing it carefully.

The shampoo formulated for
everyday care of transplanted hair

FOLIC meets all three criteria. It's formulated for the everyday care of a sensitive scalp — not just for the first few days, but as part of the permanent routine for transplanted hair. Recommended by doctors and specialist hair transplant clinics.

Physiological pH ~5.5 No harsh surfactants No irritating ingredients Made in Spain Dermatologically tested CPNP registered
View hair transplant shampoo →
Frequently asked questions

What people ask most

Once your clinic authorises it. In most cases, the first wash takes place around day 10, but medical guidance always takes precedence. Technique matters as much as the product: no rubbing, gentle movements and lukewarm water.
Yes. Temporary shedding of transplanted hair between weeks 2 and 6 — shock loss — is a normal biological response. The follicle remains intact and resumes activity. It doesn't mean the graft has failed. Visible growth usually begins from months 3–4 onward.
As a general guide: rest for the first 7–10 days, very light activity in weeks 2–3, gradual return from week 4 onward. Getting back to your usual training is usually possible after a month to six weeks. Always as advised by your clinic.
It's recommended to wait at least 4 weeks for the pool and 4–6 weeks for the sea. Chlorine and salt can irritate a sensitive scalp. Always as advised by your clinic, and rinse your scalp thoroughly after swimming.
Breathable caps that don't press on the grafted area can be worn from the first few days to protect from the sun. Motorcycle or bicycle helmets create direct pressure and friction — check with your clinic before using them.
There's no fixed end point. The scalp can remain more sensitive than usual for months. That's why a specific shampoo isn't a temporary solution — it's part of the routine for transplanted hair over the long term.
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