When Can I Rub My Head After A Hair Transplant?

Why To Avoid Rubbing Head After Hair Transplant?

After a hair transplant, your surgeon will advise you not to touch your head. This is very important as it can interfere with the final results. There are two main reasons behind this restriction;

• Dislodgement Of New Hair Grafts: The implanted hair takes some time to get settled in the scalp and develop a new blood supply. Usually their roots develop in about 2 weeks. During this time if you rub or scratch your scalp, the follicles may not grow and the results won’t be as expected.
• Greater Chances Of Infection: After a hair transplant, there is scabbing, inflammation or a little bleeding at the donor site. So scraping this area may pierce scabs and cause infection. Consequently, the healing is delayed.

When To Rub Your Head After A Hair Transplant?

The answer of this question mainly depends on the intent behind this action. Whether you want a gentle rub during hair wash or a harsh scratching to relieve itching. Here is a rough approach;

• 72 Hours Post Transplant: During this time, you shouldn’t touch, rub or scratch your scalp at all.
• After 72 Hours: You can gently touch your head, but rubbing is not allowed.
• After 3 Weeks: You can gently rub your head with flat surfaces of fingers as the grafts are usually settled by this time. Don’t use your finger nails.

Tips To Prevent You From Rubbing Your Head

We usually touch our heads all the time. To restrain from an unintentional habit requires a lot of care and patience. So, to make this challenge easy for you, here are certain tips you must follow;

Use A Loose Fitting Hat

This advice may seem a bit insane but surprisingly it is quite useful. Wearing a loose fit hat;

• Prevents your head from frequent touches.
• Saves it from unnecessary sun exposure which may enhance itching.

Important to note;

• Don’t use any kind of headwear for 72 hours after transplant and afterwards a loose fitting hat.
• Don’t use any beanie, head scarf, helmet or tight headwear for several weeks post operatively.

Sleep At Your Back

People with weird sleep positions may feel great inconvenience after a hair transplant. It is suggested to sleep on your back with two to three pillows under your head for 1 to 2 weeks. It will help you in two ways;

• This sleep position decreases blood flow to your head and thus reduces swelling at the implant site.
• It stops you from rolling at night and accidentally rubbing your head against pillows.

Follow Doctor’s Instructions

After a hair transplant, you must not wash your hair for 2 days. From the 3rd day onwards to 2 weeks, you can wash your scalp gently.

• Don’t put your head directly under the shower stream.
• Gently dab a medicated shampoo recommended by the doctor.
• You can wash your head in a bathtub or sink as it facilitates rinsing of shampoo with little use of hands.
• After a hair wash, dry your hair gently and don’t rub your scalp with a towel.

Avoid Sex

During sex, your partner may accidentally grab your head. So, it is advisable to not have sex one or two weeks after a hair transplant.

How Can I Manage Itching After A Hair Transplant?

Reducing post transplant itching is one of the main goals of post transplant therapy. Here are some ways to manage postoperative itching;

• Your doctor may recommend you to take an oral antihistamine tablet.
• Use a medicated shampoo.
• You can gently put aloe vera on your head from the 3rd day.
• Try to stay indoors and minimize sun exposure as sunlight increases dryness and itching.
• Wear a loose fitting hat.
• If after all these remedies your itch persists, you can use topical steroids after consulting with your doctor.