Aftercare · Washing your hair
Washing your hair after a hair transplant
The first hair wash is on day 3. You can do it at home as instructed or at our clinic on request. Until day 10, you wash your hair every day following our instructions, with a careful washing motion from day 7 so that the scabs come away. From day 11, normal shampoo is possible again.
When can I wash my hair?
| Period | Hair washing |
|---|---|
| Days 0 to 2 | Do not wash yet. |
| Day 3 | First hair wash, at home as instructed. On request, we will do it at the clinic, remove the bandage and show you how to wash your hair yourself. |
| Days 4 to 6 | Daily, following the seven-step instructions; only dab the foam on |
| Days 7 to 10 | Daily as instructed, now with a careful washing motion so that the scabs come away |
| From day 11 | Normal shampoo again |
Your personal aftercare instructions always take precedence.
Washing your hair step by step
Every day, from the first wash on day 3 until day 10. Until day 10, only use the care products you receive from us.
1Dab on the lotion
Gently dab the lotion we gave you onto the transplanted area with your fingertips; do not massage it in or rub it.
2Leave it on20 minutes
Leave the lotion on your scalp for 20 minutes.
3Rinse gently
With your head over a washbasin or bathtub, rinse with a gentle, lukewarm stream of water, never with a strong shower jet on the grafts.
4Dab on the shampoo
First lather a little of the shampoo we gave you in your hands, then carefully dab the foam on.
5Leave it on2 minutes
Leave the foam on for 2 minutes.
6Rinse gently
Rinse out the foam again with gentle, lukewarm water, without rubbing or scratching.
7Drying
Let it dry in the air or carefully dab it with a clean cotton towel; do not rub.
From day 7: When you wash your hair each day, you can start using a careful washing motion so that the scabs gradually come away. Do not scratch, do not remove them with your fingernails and do not force anything off.
Scabs after a hair transplant: how they come away
Scabs form because a little blood and wound fluid dries at each insertion point. They are part of normal healing. Applying the lotion and shampoo every day softens them more and more, and they gradually come away when you wash your hair.
Our aftercare goal: By day 10, day 11 at the latest, the scabs have been fully removed or have fallen off, provided healing is normal.
- Careful washing motion from day 7: When you wash your hair each day, you can now start using a careful washing motion so that the scabs gradually come away. We are happy to show you the technique in person.
- Do not scratch and do not remove them with your fingernails: This can pull grafts out.
- Do not force them off: The scabs come away with your daily hair wash.
- Firmly attached scabs: If you have pain, bleeding or scabs that are firmly attached, do not keep going by force; contact us instead.
Swelling and scabs usually subside within one to two weeks. If needed or on request, we can look at your progress together at a check-up at the clinic. You can read more about the recovery in the guide Hair Transplant Recovery: Day by Day.
What to avoid when washing your hair
- a strong shower jet directly on the transplanted area,
- rubbing, scrubbing or scratching,
- pulling at scabs, removing them with your fingernails or forcing them off,
- rubbing with a towel,
- a hot hairdryer,
- until day 10, any care products other than those we gave you.
If in doubt, it is better to ask: 062 557 15 57.
Frequently asked questions about washing your hair
When can I wash my hair after a hair transplant?
From day 3. You can of course wash your hair at home as instructed; on request, we will do the first wash at the clinic. After that, you wash your hair every day following our instructions.
How often do I wash my hair in the first few days?
Every day until day 10, with lotion and shampoo as instructed.
What are the lotion and shampoo for?
Using them every day softens the scabs more and more, so that they come away gently when you wash your hair.
How do I rinse correctly?
With your head over a washbasin or bathtub, using a gentle, lukewarm stream of water. Never point a strong shower jet directly at the grafts.
Can I blow-dry my hair?
No hot hairdryer. Let your scalp dry in the air if possible and, if needed, dab it carefully with a clean cotton towel.
When can I loosen the scabs with a washing motion?
From day 7, you can start using a careful washing motion when you wash your hair each day. Do not scratch, do not remove them with your fingernails and do not force anything off.
When do the scabs fall off?
They gradually come away with your daily hair wash. Our aim is for them to be fully removed or to have fallen off by day 10, day 11 at the latest, provided healing is normal.
What should I do if scabs are firmly attached?
Do not keep going by force; contact us instead, most easily by phone on 062 557 15 57.
When can I use normal shampoo again?
From day 11.
Questions about washing your hair?
Our team in Zurich and Oftringen is here for you Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 19:00.
More aftercare topics: Aftercare at a glance · Exercise · Sleeping
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Sabrina Tahery and Dr. Moustafa Kassar
As of 14 November 2026
Sources: Swiss Hair Life aftercare instructions (hair washing and scabs), as of November 2026; guide Hair Transplant Recovery: Day by Day, medically reviewed on 10 November 2026.