In short
- Week 1: gentle spray-wash only, sleep upright, avoid sweating.
- Weeks 2–4: crusts fall off; transplanted hair sheds ('shock loss') — this is normal.
- Months 3–4: new growth begins; density is still visibly reduced.
- Months 9–12: full result visible; final assessment.
Every hair transplant surgeon knows the same truth: the surgery is a controlled, standardised procedure. What varies enormously between patients is what happens over the next 12 months. Here is what London aftercare looks like week by week.
Week 1 — protection
- Sleep semi-upright (2 pillows) for 5 nights.
- Wash only with the spray provided; no rubbing.
- No exercise, no sweat, no sauna.
- Antibiotics if prescribed; paracetamol for discomfort.
Weeks 2–4 — the shed
Crusts fall away by day 10–14. Between weeks 2 and 6 the transplanted hairs shed — this is 'shock loss' and it is normal. The follicles remain and will grow new hair from month 3.
Months 3–6 — regrowth
New hair emerges thin and depigmented; thickens over subsequent months. Density visibly increases from month 4 onward. Continue any prescribed finasteride and minoxidil.
Months 9–12 — final assessment
Full result visible at 12 months. Formal review with your surgeon; revision or additional grafts discussed if outcomes fall short of the agreed plan.
The follicles arrive on day one. The result arrives on month twelve.
Frequently asked
Common questions
When can I return to the gym?+
Light cardio at 10 days; full weights at 3 weeks. No swimming or contact sport for 4 weeks.
When can I wear a hat?+
Loose caps at 10 days; snug caps at 3 weeks. Avoid friction in the first month.
Will I look strange at work?+
Small crusts for 7–10 days. Most patients take 1 week off; some take 2.
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