Antibiotics after a hair transplant are prescribed to prevent bacterial infection at the donor and recipient sites, with most protocols lasting 5 to 7 days post-surgery. Over 60% of men researching hair loss questions have misidentified their own stage, making accurate assessment the first step before any surgical planning.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow your surgeon's specific post-operative instructions.
Why Antibiotics Matter After Hair Transplant Surgery
Hair transplant procedures create thousands of tiny incisions across the scalp. In FUE surgery, each extracted graft leaves a 0.7 to 1.0mm puncture wound in the donor area, and each implanted graft creates a micro-incision in the recipient zone. A typical Norwood 4 patient receiving 2,500 to 3,500 grafts will have over 5,000 individual wound sites across their scalp.
These micro-wounds heal quickly, but the first 48 to 72 hours carry the highest infection risk. Prophylactic antibiotics reduce this risk from an estimated 3% to 5% (without antibiotics) down to under 1% (with antibiotics). That is why virtually every reputable clinic includes antibiotics in their post-operative care protocol.
The scalp has a rich blood supply, which aids healing but also means any infection can spread rapidly. Taking antibiotics exactly as prescribed is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your graft survival rate of 90% to 95%.
Standard Antibiotic Protocols by Procedure Type
Different clinics and procedure types call for slightly different antibiotic approaches. Here is what the standard protocols look like in 2026:
| Protocol Element | FUE | FUT (Strip) | DHI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-operative dose | Single dose 1 hour before | Single dose 1 hour before | Single dose 1 hour before |
| Post-operative duration | 5 to 7 days | 7 to 10 days | 5 to 7 days |
| Common antibiotic | Cephalexin 500mg | Cephalexin 500mg | Cephalexin 500mg |
| Alternative (penicillin allergy) | Azithromycin 500mg | Clindamycin 300mg | Azithromycin 500mg |
| Dosing frequency | Twice daily | Twice daily | Twice daily |
| Topical antibiotic | Optional (Mupirocin) | Recommended for suture line | Optional (Mupirocin) |
FUT procedures typically require a longer antibiotic course because the linear donor incision is a larger wound that takes 10 to 14 days to recover fully, compared to 7 to 10 days for FUE. The suture or staple line in FUT creates a continuous wound rather than isolated puncture sites, increasing the surface area vulnerable to bacteria.
Step-by-Step Antibiotic Protocol
Follow these steps for a typical post-transplant antibiotic course. Always defer to your surgeon's specific instructions if they differ from this general guide.
Day of Surgery (Day 0)
Your surgeon will administer a single pre-operative dose of antibiotic, usually 30 to 60 minutes before the procedure begins. Some clinics provide this as an IV dose during the procedure. You will also receive your oral antibiotic prescription to start that evening or the following morning.
Days 1 Through 3 (Critical Window)
Take your prescribed oral antibiotic at consistent times, roughly 12 hours apart for twice-daily dosing. Take each dose with food to reduce stomach upset. Do not skip doses even if you feel fine. The first 72 hours carry the highest infection risk.
If your surgeon prescribed a topical antibiotic ointment, apply a thin layer to the donor area only. Do not apply anything to the recipient grafts unless specifically instructed.
Days 4 Through 7 (Completion Phase)
Continue the full antibiotic course even though your scalp will look significantly better by day 4. Stopping antibiotics early contributes to antibiotic resistance and can allow a late-onset infection. Complete every pill in the prescription.
Days 8 Through 10 (FUT Patients Only)
FUT patients often continue antibiotics for an additional 2 to 3 days beyond the standard FUE course. Your surgeon will advise when to stop based on how the donor suture line is healing at your follow-up visit.
Common Antibiotics Used After Hair Transplant
| Antibiotic | Brand Name | Typical Dose | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cephalexin | Keflex | 500mg twice daily | 5 to 7 days | Most commonly prescribed |
| Amoxicillin/Clavulanate | Augmentin | 625mg twice daily | 5 to 7 days | Broad-spectrum option |
| Azithromycin | Zithromax | 500mg day 1, 250mg days 2 to 5 | 5 days | Good for penicillin allergy |
| Clindamycin | Cleocin | 300mg three times daily | 7 days | Alternative for multiple allergies |
| Doxycycline | Vibramycin | 100mg twice daily | 7 days | Also has anti-inflammatory properties |
Cephalexin remains the most widely prescribed antibiotic after hair transplants due to its effectiveness against common skin bacteria (Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species), good tolerability, and low cost. The choice may vary based on regional antibiotic resistance patterns.
What to Avoid While Taking Post-Transplant Antibiotics
Certain substances and behaviors can reduce antibiotic effectiveness or increase side effects during your recovery period.
Alcohol should be avoided for at least 7 to 10 days post-surgery. It can interact with antibiotics, thin the blood, and impair healing. Even moderate alcohol consumption can reduce graft survival rates.
Dairy products can interfere with the absorption of certain antibiotics, particularly tetracyclines like doxycycline. If prescribed doxycycline, take it at least 2 hours before or after consuming milk, cheese, or yogurt.
Blood-thinning supplements including fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and aspirin should be avoided for at least 2 weeks. These can increase bleeding at graft sites and potentially dislodge newly placed grafts.
Probiotics are recommended alongside your antibiotic course. Antibiotics disrupt gut flora, and a probiotic taken 2 hours apart from your antibiotic dose can help reduce digestive side effects like diarrhea and nausea.
Signs of Infection to Watch For
Even with antibiotics, infections can occasionally occur. Contact your surgeon immediately if you notice any of the following after day 3:
Increasing redness that spreads beyond the immediate graft area. Pus or yellow-green discharge from the donor or recipient sites. Fever above 100.4F (38C). Increasing pain rather than decreasing pain. Swelling that worsens after day 4 instead of improving. Foul odor from the surgical areas.
Most post-transplant infections are mild and respond quickly to a change or extension of antibiotics. Severe infections are rare (under 0.5% of cases) at accredited clinics.
Recovery Timeline With Antibiotic Support
| Day | Healing Milestone | Antibiotic Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Surgery complete, grafts placed | Pre-op dose given |
| 1 to 3 | Scabbing forms, swelling peaks | Active antibiotic course |
| 4 to 5 | Swelling subsides, redness decreases | Continue antibiotics |
| 7 | Donor dots mostly healed (FUE) | Last day of antibiotics (FUE) |
| 10 | Suture removal (FUT), scabs shed | Last day of antibiotics (FUT) |
| 14 | Recipient area pink, healing well | Antibiotic course complete |
FUE recovery takes 7 to 10 days on average, with most patients returning to normal activities by day 7. Graft survival rates of 90% to 95% depend on proper aftercare, including completing the full antibiotic course.
How to Know Your Graft Requirements Before Surgery
Before planning any surgical procedure, you need an accurate assessment of your current hair loss stage. The Norwood scale complete guide explains each stage from NW1 through NW7, along with the corresponding graft requirements.
Over 60% of men who self-assess their hair loss stage get it wrong. An AI hair loss analysis provides an objective, computer-vision-based assessment that matches dermatologist evaluations in over 85% of cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What antibiotics are prescribed after a hair transplant?
Most hair transplant surgeons prescribe a course of oral antibiotics such as cephalexin (Keflex) 500mg or amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) 625mg, taken twice daily for 5 to 7 days. Some clinics use azithromycin (Z-pack) as a 5-day course. The specific choice depends on the surgeon's protocol, your allergy history, and the procedure type (FUE or FUT).
How does AI hair loss analysis work?
AI hair loss analysis uses computer vision to assess photos of your hairline and classify your Norwood stage. At myhairline.ai, you upload a photo from any phone browser and receive an objective assessment of your hair loss stage, estimated graft requirements, and personalized treatment options within 60 seconds.
Is myhairline.ai accurate compared to a dermatologist?
Clinical validation studies show AI-based hair loss staging matches dermatologist assessments in over 85% of cases. The myhairline.ai tool uses computer vision trained on thousands of classified images, providing an objective starting point for your hair restoration research before consulting a specialist.
Not sure what Norwood stage you are or how many grafts you need? Get a free AI hairline analysis at myhairline.ai/analyze to find out in under 60 seconds.