Recovery & Aftercare Guide

Hair transplant

FUE or DHI hair restoration under local anaesthetic, with a structured aftercare period.

Important. Your individual instructions from your treating clinician take precedence over this general information. If anything here differs from what your clinician has told you, follow your clinician’s advice and contact the hospital if you are unsure.

Overview

Hair transplantation moves hair follicles from a donor area, usually the back of the scalp, to areas of thinning or loss.

It is performed for pattern hair loss and for restoring hairlines, eyebrows or beard density where suitable.

The procedure takes several hours under local anaesthetic. The transplanted hairs shed within weeks, and new growth becomes visible from around 3 to 4 months, with the final result at 12 months or more.

Before your procedure

Attend the planning consultation. Density, hairline design and realistic expectations are agreed before booking.
Tell the team about all medicines, including anticoagulants, antiplatelets and any hair-loss treatments you take. Do not stop prescribed medicine unless instructed.
Avoid alcohol for the period advised before your procedure.
If you smoke, stopping or reducing beforehand supports healing. Ask the team for advice.
Follow the specific hair-washing and hair-length instructions you are given.
Wear a loose, front-opening shirt so nothing is pulled over your head afterwards.
Arrange transport home and time off. This is a long appointment.

What happens on the day

The donor and recipient areas are assessed, marked and photographed.
Local anaesthetic is given to the donor area, then to the recipient area. Injections sting briefly.
Follicles are harvested individually, then placed into the recipient sites. This takes several hours with breaks.
You remain awake throughout and can eat, drink and use the bathroom during breaks.
Dressings are applied to the donor area. You are given detailed written aftercare, a wash schedule and a follow-up plan before you leave.

Aftercare

Pain

Tightness and soreness in the donor area for several days is usual. Take pain relief as advised by your clinician.

Swelling

Forehead and eye-area swelling is common on days 2 to 4 and settles by around day 7. Sleeping propped up reduces it.

Sleeping position

Sleep with your head elevated on two or three pillows for the first 5 to 7 nights, and avoid lying face-down on the grafts.

Crusting

Small crusts form around each graft and separate over 7 to 14 days with the washing routine you are given. Do not pick them.

Washing

Follow your specific wash schedule exactly. Washing too early, too vigorously or with direct pressure can dislodge grafts.

Touching the grafts

Do not scratch, rub or press the recipient area in the first 10 days. Grafts are most vulnerable in the first 72 hours.

Headwear

Do not wear hats or helmets until your clinician says it is safe, and then only loose ones that do not rub.

Exercise

Avoid exercise, heavy lifting, sweating and bending for around 2 weeks. Contact sport considerably longer.

Swimming and sun

Avoid swimming pools, saunas and direct sun for at least 4 weeks. Protect the scalp with a loose hat once permitted.

Alcohol and smoking

Both impair healing. Follow the specific advice given to you.

Shedding

Transplanted hairs shed between weeks 2 and 8. This is expected and does not mean the procedure has failed.

Work

Many people take about a week, both for healing and because crusting is visible.

Follow-up

Attend all review appointments. Growth is assessed over months, not weeks.

Typical recovery timeline

Timings are typical and vary between individuals.
When	What to expect
Days 1 to 3	Grafts most vulnerable. Sleep elevated. Do not touch the recipient area.
Days 2 to 4	Swelling of forehead and around the eyes is common.
Days 5 to 10	Washing routine continues. Crusts loosen and begin to separate.
Weeks 2 to 8	Transplanted hairs shed. The area may look as it did before. This is expected.
Months 3 to 4	New growth starts to become visible.
Months 6 to 9	Density increases steadily.
Months 12 to 18	Final result. Texture and density continue to mature.

Red flags — when to seek help

These lists are not exhaustive. Trust your judgement and seek advice if you are worried.

Emergency Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department

Bleeding from the donor area that does not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
Severe pain not relieved by the pain relief you were given
Feeling generally unwell with a high temperature, shivering or confusion
Rapidly spreading redness or swelling of the scalp or face

Contact us Contact the hospital, or call NHS 111 out of hours

Pus or offensive discharge from donor or recipient areas
Increasing redness, heat or tenderness after the first 3 days
A donor wound that separates
Numbness that is worsening rather than gradually improving

Tower Bridge Hospital, 97–99 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1DT. Telephone 020 7916 0029. If in doubt and the situation is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Frequently asked questions

Why has the transplanted hair fallen out?

Shedding between weeks 2 and 8 is a normal part of the cycle. The follicle remains and regrows.

When will I see the result?

Growth becomes visible from around 3 to 4 months. The final result takes 12 months or longer.

When can I wear a hat?

Only when your clinician confirms it is safe, and then loose headwear that does not rub the grafts.

Will I need more than one session?

Some people do, depending on the area treated and how hair loss progresses. This is discussed at planning.

Is the donor area permanently affected?

The donor area thins slightly where follicles were taken. It is designed to remain unnoticeable at normal hair length.

More information

Clinical reviewer: Dr Haydar Bolat, Clinical Director
Review date: 21 July 2026
Review by: 21 July 2027
Version: 1.0