Your first hair wash after FUT surgery happens 48-72 hours post-procedure, using lukewarm water and zero direct pressure on the transplanted area. How you wash your hair during the first 2 weeks directly affects graft survival, scab removal, and infection risk. Follow this day-by-day protocol to protect your results.
Washing Timeline Overview
| Day | Washing Protocol | Water Pressure | Touching Recipient Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 0-1 | No washing | N/A | No contact |
| Day 2-3 | First gentle wash | Pouring only, no shower head | No touching |
| Days 3-7 | Daily gentle wash | Low-pressure pouring | Light patting only |
| Days 7-10 | Slightly firmer wash | Gentle low shower pressure | Very light circular motions |
| Days 10-14 | Normal gentle wash | Normal shower pressure ok | Gentle fingertip washing |
| Week 3-4 | Transitioning to normal | Normal pressure | Normal washing resumes |
Before Your First Wash: What You Need
Gather these supplies before your first post-FUT wash:
- Baby shampoo or clinic-provided medicated shampoo (fragrance-free, sulfate-free)
- Clean plastic cup for pouring water
- Clean, soft towel (not a rough or textured towel)
- Saline spray bottle (if provided by your clinic)
- A mirror and good lighting so you can see what you are doing
Day 2-3: The First Wash
This first wash is the most important one to get right. Grafts are not yet fully anchored, and rough handling can dislodge them.
Step-by-Step First Wash
- Fill a clean cup with lukewarm water. Not hot, not cold. Test on your wrist first.
- Add a small amount of baby shampoo to the cup and mix gently.
- Lean your head over a sink or stand in the shower (do not stand directly under the shower head).
- Slowly pour the soapy water over your head, letting it flow naturally over the transplanted area. Do not aim the stream directly at the grafts.
- Let the soapy water sit on your scalp for 30-60 seconds. Do not rub or scrub.
- Rinse by pouring clean lukewarm water over your head in the same gentle manner.
- Repeat the rinse 2-3 times until all shampoo residue is gone.
- Pat your head dry with a soft, clean towel. Do not rub. Blot gently around the transplanted area without pressing down on the grafts.
Donor Area Washing (Day 2-3)
The donor area (the sutured incision at the back of your head) can be washed gently during the first wash. Let soapy water flow over the incision. Do not scrub or apply pressure to the suture line. Pat dry carefully.
Days 3-7: Building a Routine
Continue washing once daily using the same pouring technique. As each day passes, you can begin very lightly touching the recipient area during washing.
Day 3-5 Additions
- You may gently pat (not rub) the recipient area with your fingertips while soapy water is on your scalp
- Begin using a saline spray between washes if your clinic provided one (spray the recipient area 4-6 times daily to keep grafts hydrated)
- You may notice small scabs forming around each graft site. This is normal. Do not pick at them.
Day 5-7 Adjustments
- You can introduce very gentle circular fingertip motions over the transplanted area while washing. Use almost no pressure.
- If scabs feel crusty, let the soapy water sit on them for 2-3 minutes before rinsing. This softens them for natural removal.
- You may switch to low-pressure shower water from this point, but keep the shower head at a distance so the stream is not hitting the scalp at full force.
Days 7-14: Scab Removal Phase
Scabs in the recipient area begin falling off naturally between days 7-14. Proper washing technique accelerates this process without damaging grafts.
How to Encourage Scab Removal
- Apply baby shampoo directly to the recipient area using your fingertips
- Let it sit for 3-5 minutes to soften the scabs
- Use gentle circular motions with your fingertips. Increase pressure slightly compared to the first week, but still much lighter than a normal hair wash
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water
- Scabs that are ready to come off will release with this gentle friction. Scabs that resist are not ready. Do not force them.
What the Scabs Look Like
Each scab sits at the base of a transplanted graft, forming a small dark crust around the hair shaft. When scabs fall off, they may take the transplanted hair shaft with them. This is not graft loss. The shaft was already going to shed during shock loss (weeks 2-4). The follicle root remains safely beneath the skin.
After Day 14: Returning to Normal
By day 14, all scabs should be gone or nearly gone. Your washing routine can now approach normal.
Week 3-4 Protocol
- Switch back to your regular shampoo if desired (gentle formulas still preferred)
- Normal shower pressure is fine
- Normal fingertip scrubbing motion is safe
- You can resume using conditioner on the transplanted area
- The donor incision area should be fully closed by now (sutures were removed around day 10)
When to Resume Hair Products
| Product | When to Resume |
|---|---|
| Regular shampoo | Week 2-3 |
| Conditioner | Week 2-3 |
| Hair gel or pomade | Week 3-4 |
| Hairspray | Week 3-4 |
| Hair dye or color | Week 6-8 (consult surgeon) |
| Blow dryer (low heat) | Week 3-4 |
| Blow dryer (high heat) | Week 6+ |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Picking at Scabs
Pulling scabs off before they are ready can rip out grafts. Let them soften through washing and fall off naturally.
Using Hot Water
Hot water increases blood flow and can cause bleeding at graft sites during the first week. Always use lukewarm water for the first 7-10 days.
Direct Shower Pressure
Standing directly under a powerful shower head during the first week can dislodge grafts. Use the cup-pouring method or stand to the side of the shower stream.
Rubbing the Towel
Vigorously rubbing your head with a towel after washing is a common habit that can damage healing grafts. Always pat and blot, never rub.
Plan Your Recovery
Your post-op washing routine is part of a larger recovery plan that depends on your Norwood stage and graft count. Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to get a personalized hair loss assessment before your procedure. For a comparison of recovery across methods, see our FUE vs FUT comparison.
FAQ
When can I wash my hair after FUT?
Most surgeons allow the first gentle hair wash 48-72 hours after FUT surgery. Some clinics instruct patients to wait a full 72 hours. The first wash uses a specific technique: lukewarm water poured gently over the head with no rubbing, scrubbing, or direct water pressure on the transplanted area.
Can I use regular shampoo after FUT?
No, not for the first 2 weeks. Use a gentle, pH-balanced, fragrance-free baby shampoo or the medicated shampoo provided by your clinic. Regular shampoos contain sulfates and fragrances that can irritate healing tissue. After week 2-3, most patients can transition back to their normal shampoo.
When do the scabs fall off after FUT?
Scabs in the recipient area typically begin falling off between days 7-14. By day 14, most or all scabs should have shed naturally. Do not pick at scabs, as this can dislodge grafts. Gentle washing helps soften and release scabs over time.