Your first hair wash after FUE happens 48-72 hours post-surgery, and the technique matters significantly for graft survival. During the first 10 days, grafts are not yet fully anchored in the scalp. Aggressive washing, direct water jets, scratching, or premature scab removal can dislodge grafts and reduce your survival rate. This day-by-day guide covers exactly how to wash safely from day 2 through day 14 and beyond.
Day-by-Day Washing Protocol
Days 1-2: No Washing
Do not wet the recipient area at all for the first 48 hours. The grafts are in their most vulnerable state, held in place only by the tiny blood clots that formed around each insertion site. Even gentle water contact can loosen these clots.
You can carefully wash your face, avoiding the forehead above the hairline. If sweat or light bleeding occurs, blot gently with a clean, damp cloth without touching the recipient zone.
Day 3: First Wash
The first wash introduces water to the grafts very gently. Here is the exact technique:
- Fill a clean cup with lukewarm water (not hot, not cold)
- Add a small amount of baby shampoo or prescribed wash to the water
- Pour the mixture over the recipient area slowly, letting it run down by gravity
- Do not rub, scratch, or press on the grafts
- Let the soapy water sit on the scalp for 1-2 minutes
- Rinse by pouring clean lukewarm water over the area with the cup
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel or soft cloth. Do not rub.
For the donor area (back of head), you can be slightly less cautious. Use your fingertips to gently massage shampoo into the donor zone with light circular motions. The extraction sites heal faster than the recipient channels.
Days 4-7: Daily Gentle Washing
Wash once daily using the same cup-pouring technique. During this phase, you can begin applying very light fingertip contact to the recipient area.
| Day | Recipient Area Technique | Donor Area Technique | Water Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 4 | Cup pour only, no touching | Light fingertip massage | Zero pressure |
| Day 5 | Cup pour, very light fingertip dabs | Normal gentle massage | Zero pressure |
| Day 6 | Cup pour, light fingertip circular motions | Normal gentle massage | Zero pressure |
| Day 7 | Cup pour, gentle fingertip massage | Normal washing | Minimal indirect |
By day 7, you should be able to gently touch the recipient area with your fingertips during washing. The goal is to clean without displacing any grafts or tearing scabs off prematurely.
Days 7-10: Scab Softening Phase
Scabs form around each graft site and serve as a natural bandage during early healing. They begin to loosen at day 7 and should be mostly gone by day 14. Removing scabs too early can pull grafts out. Leaving them too long can trap bacteria and cause infection.
The scab softening technique:
- Apply baby shampoo or prescribed shampoo directly to the scabbed areas
- Let it sit for 10-15 minutes without touching (this softens the dried blood and crusts)
- Using your fingertips, gently dab the scabs in a light circular motion
- Do not pick, scratch, or pull at scabs that do not come off easily
- Rinse by cup-pouring lukewarm water
- Repeat daily. Scabs that resist gentle dabbing will come off in the next session.
Some clinics provide a specific scab-softening solution (often saline-based or containing mild enzymes). If your clinic gave you one, use it according to their instructions.
Days 10-14: Transition to Normal Washing
By day 10, most scabs have loosened or fallen off. You can now transition to a more normal washing routine, with some restrictions:
- Shower water is now acceptable, but keep the showerhead at low pressure and do not aim it directly at the recipient area. Let water run down from the top of your head.
- Fingertip massage is fully safe on the recipient area. You can now massage the scalp gently during washing.
- Baby shampoo remains recommended until day 14. After day 14, you can return to your regular shampoo.
- Avoid hot water until day 14. Lukewarm is safest. Hot water increases blood flow to the scalp and can cause post-operative bleeding in patients still healing.
Day 14+: Normal Routine
After two weeks, you can return to your normal hair washing routine. Regular shampoo, normal shower pressure, and standard technique are all safe. The grafts are anchored and cannot be dislodged by normal washing.
Continue to avoid aggressive scalp scrubbing, exfoliating brushes, or scalp scrubs for one month. These tools apply concentrated pressure that could damage follicles still establishing themselves.
Shampoo Selection Guide
| Timeframe | Recommended Shampoo | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Days 3-14 | Baby shampoo (Johnson's, Cetaphil Baby) or clinic-provided wash | Sulfate shampoos, anti-dandruff, medicated (unless prescribed) |
| Weeks 2-4 | pH-neutral gentle shampoo | Strong fragrances, tea tree oil, salicylic acid |
| Week 4+ | Your normal shampoo | Harsh scalp exfoliants |
If your surgeon has prescribed a specific medicated shampoo (such as ketoconazole for anti-fungal protection), follow their instructions over these general guidelines.
Common Washing Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Direct Shower Pressure Too Early
Shower jets deliver 2-4 pounds of force per square inch. During the first week, this is enough to dislodge grafts from their recipient channels. The cup-pouring method eliminates water pressure entirely.
Mistake 2: Picking at Scabs
The urge to pick is strong. Scabs look unsightly and feel itchy. But forcibly removing a scab before day 7-10 can pull the graft out with it, especially if the blood clot anchoring the graft has not yet been replaced by tissue bonding. Always let scabs fall off through the softening technique.
Mistake 3: Rubbing with a Towel
Towel friction can catch on scabs and graft hairs, pulling them loose. Always pat dry, never rub. Paper towels are actually safer than cloth towels because they do not have the grabby texture of terry cloth.
Mistake 4: Using Hot Water
Hot water dilates blood vessels and can cause oozing from extraction and insertion sites during the first week. Lukewarm water (around body temperature) provides adequate cleaning without the vascular effects.
Mistake 5: Skipping Washes Out of Fear
Some patients avoid washing altogether for 7-10 days because they fear damaging grafts. This is counterproductive. Accumulated blood, sweat, and debris increase infection risk and can actually impede healing. Gentle daily washing starting at day 3 keeps the scalp clean and supports graft survival.
When Transplanted Hair Starts Shedding During Washing
Between weeks 2-4, you will notice transplanted hairs falling out during washing. This is shock loss, and it is completely normal. The hair shafts are shedding while the follicle roots remain anchored. Do not panic when you see hairs in your wash water. New growth begins at months 3-4.
For more details on the shedding timeline, see our guide on FUE shock loss. For details on how extraction methods compare, see the FUE vs FUT comparison.
Considering FUE and want to understand your hair loss stage first? Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze for a free AI-powered assessment of your Norwood classification.
FAQ
When can you wash your hair after FUE?
Most surgeons allow the first gentle wash 48-72 hours after FUE. Some clinics perform the first wash for you at the clinic on day 2 or 3. The key rule for the first wash is no direct water pressure on the recipient area. Use a cup to pour lukewarm water gently over the grafts.
How do you remove scabs after FUE?
Scabs should never be picked or forcibly removed. Starting around day 7-10, apply baby shampoo or a prescribed medicated shampoo to the recipient area, let it sit for 10-15 minutes to soften the scabs, then gently dab with your fingertips using a light circular motion. Most scabs naturally loosen and fall off between days 10-14 with this method.
Can you use regular shampoo after FUE?
Avoid regular shampoo for the first 2 weeks. Use a pH-neutral baby shampoo or the medicated shampoo provided by your clinic. Regular shampoos contain sulfates, fragrances, and chemicals that can irritate healing tissue and potentially cause inflammation around grafts. After 2 weeks, you can transition back to your normal shampoo.