Help & FAQ
If something feels wrong after your hair transplant, message us on WhatsApp the same day: +90 212 963 77 58. Most changes in the first month are normal; this page shows which are not.
- 12 answered questions
- 1 WhatsApp line
- 12 months of follow-up
Is This Normal?
Swelling, itching, crusting, redness and shedding are normal in the first weeks after a hair transplant. A large review of published studies found an overall complication rate of 1.2% to 4.7% in large patient series.
| Symptom | When | Normal | Text us if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swelling | Days 2 to 5 | Moves down to the forehead and eyes | Keeps increasing after day 4 |
| Crusting / scabs | Days 5 to 10 | Small crusts around each graft | Yellow crust with pus or a bad smell |
| Itching | Weeks 1 to 3 | Mild; the spray eases it | Itching with spreading redness |
| Redness | Weeks to months | Pink skin that fades slowly | Redness with heat, pain or pus |
| Pimples | Months 1 to 3 | Small pimples where new hairs come through | Painful, spreading or full of pus |
| Numbness | Weeks to months | Patchy numbness that fades | Numbness with severe pain |
| Shedding | Day 15 to day 90 | Transplanted hairs fall out; follicles stay | Shedding with redness and pus |
| Shock loss | Months 1 to 3 | Some of your own hair sheds and grows back | Sudden patchy loss outside the area |
Sources
- Liu RH, Xu LJ, McCarty JC, Xiao R, Chen JX, Lee LN. A Scoping Review on Complications in Modern Hair Transplantation: More than Just Splitting Hairs. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2024;49(3):585-595. doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-04316-3
- Zhang J, Zhao Y, Zhang J, et al.. Risk Factors and Hazards of Recipient-Area Perifollicular Erythema After Hair Transplantation: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2024;48(15):2771-2777. doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-04166-z
When Should I Call the Clinic?
Message us the same day if you have a fever, worsening redness or pus, bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure, pain your pain reliever does not ease, or swelling that keeps increasing after day 4.
Message us the same day if you have
- Fever or feeling unwell
- Redness, heat or pus that gets worse
- Bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure
- Pain that your pain reliever does not ease
- Swelling that keeps increasing after day 4
- Pimples that are painful, spreading or full of pus
In an emergency, call local emergency services first, then let us know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions patients ask most.
1 When can I shower after a hair transplant?
You can shower your body from the first evening. Keep water off your head until your first wash with the team.
2 When can I wear a hat after a hair transplant?
A wide, loose cap is fine from day 4. A tight cap is fine after your final wash, and a helmet from day 10.
3 When can I go back to work?
Most patients with a desk job go back after a few days, once the swelling is down. If your job needs a helmet, hard hat or heavy lifting, wait until day 10.
4 Can I travel home on day 3 or 4?
Yes. Keep your spray routine on the plane, wear only a wide, loose cap and carry your kit in your hand luggage.
5 When can I exercise after a hair transplant?
Light exercise such as walking is fine from day 10. All sports, including the gym and contact sports, are fine from day 21.
6 When can I drink alcohol or smoke?
Alcohol is fine after day 5 and smoking after day 10. The longer you wait to smoke, the better the blood flow to the grafts.
7 Is itching normal after a hair transplant?
Yes. Mild itching is common in the first weeks. Use your spray, do not scratch or pick, and message us if the itching comes with spreading redness.
8 Are pimples normal after a hair transplant?
Small pimples can appear between month 1 and 3 as new hairs push through. Do not squeeze them. Send us a photo if they are painful, spreading or full of pus.
9 When can I get a haircut?
A haircut with scissors or a clipper is fine from month 1. Herbal hair dye and styling products wait until month 3.
10 When will I see results?
New hair starts to grow after month 3. About 50 to 60% of the front has grown by month 7, and the full result shows by month 18.
11 What if I miss a photo day?
Send the photos the next day with a short note. One missed day is fine; daily photos in the first 10 days help us follow your healing.
12 Who answers my messages?
Your patient coordinator answers on WhatsApp and passes medical questions to your doctor. You do not need to wait for a check-up to ask.
Ask a Medical Question / Transfer Support
One WhatsApp line for medical questions, photos and transfers: +90 212 963 77 58.
We reply within 1 hour, 09:00 to 19:00, Monday to Saturday. Urgent messages are seen every day.
Prefer to call? +90 212 963 77 58
Dear Guest,
The service we provide is not limited to a single operation; it is a journey to open a brand-new chapter in your life. We are a team passionate about our work, paying attention to every detail with utmost care.
Our goal is not only a physical transformation, but to help you feel stronger, happier and more confident when you look in the mirror. Remember, you are not alone. We will stay in touch and be by your side every step of the way.
Thank you for trusting us with this new beginning.
With my warmest regards,
Dr. Servet Terziler Founder, Dr. Terziler Exclusive Clinic
P.S. You never bother us. If something feels wrong, message us the same day; that is what we are here for.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Servet TerzilerAACI-accredited surgeon, inventor of the Robotic DHI machine, founder and president of TÜSATDER, ISHRS workshop alumnus (34.55 AMA PRA Category 1 credits), and the surgeon internationally referred to as the "Picasso of Hair."
Last medically reviewed:
This page is written according to current clinical practice and reviewed by licensed hair transplant surgeon Dr. Servet Terziler.This guide is general information; the plan your doctor gives you always comes first.
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