Akacia Medical

Hair transplant aftercare

Hair transplant aftercare is about a calm routine: how you sleep, when you can wear a cap, when you can exercise, and what applies to alcohol before and after the procedure – plus washing, the healing timeline and what to avoid in the first weeks.

We’re with you after surgery: clear guidelines, a personal plan for the first weeks and quick contact if you feel unsure or have questions.

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Aftercare after hair transplant

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Short answers

Sleeping after a hair transplantSleep semi-upright at about 45° with a neck pillow for the first 10 days.Cap after a hair transplantA cap is usually fine from day 10, without tight pressure on the grafts.Exercise after a hair transplantAvoid hard training for the first month. Gentle walks can often start earlier.Alcohol before a hair transplantAvoid alcohol in the days before surgery and during early healing.

Why care after the procedure affects your final result

Proper aftercare after a hair transplant affects how the grafts heal and attach, and therefore how natural and even the result can become.

Good hygiene, protection from pressure and sun exposure, and patience through the growth phases are as important as the procedure itself. Following the plan reduces unnecessary irritation, infection risk and extra visits.

Do you want to understand the entire treatment better? Read more about hair transplant clinic in Sweden.

Planning and reassurance before hair transplant aftercare

Healing and recovery, from surgery day to final result

The first 10 days are about protecting the grafts and reducing swelling. How tenderness and sensation in the scalp develop day by day is covered in the article on whether a hair transplant hurts. What you see after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months is in hair transplant month by month.

Day 1–10, critical days & healing

Month 1–12, growth & final result

  • The first days are most sensitive to friction, pressure and sweat. Sleep semi-upright with a neck pillow, avoid bending forward forcefully and do not touch the area unnecessarily.

    Remove the dressing on day 2 according to instructions so the donor area can get air. Contact us for unexpected pain, heavy bleeding or signs of infection.

Exercise, cap and alcohol after a hair transplant

This is the overview for exercise, cap, alcohol, sun and smoking. Below we go through exercise after a hair transplant, wearing a cap, sleeping and alcohol in more detail.

StoppAvoid / high risk for grafts or skinVarsamhetBe careful or partly OKOkej enligt planOK according to plan
Heavy training / gym

Heavy training / gym

Exercise after a hair transplant: avoid hard training for the first month; return according to your individual plan.

Stopp
Day 1–10
Stopp
Month 1
Okej enligt plan
After that
Pool, swimming & sauna

Pool, swimming & sauna

Avoid swimming and sauna for a longer period; follow the timings in your material.

Stopp
Day 1–10
Stopp
Month 1
Varsamhet
After that
Direct sunlight on grafts

Direct sunlight on grafts

Use shade/cap; avoid burning the scalp during the first year.

Stopp
Day 1–10
Varsamhet
Month 1
Varsamhet
After that
Cap / hat

Cap / hat

A cap after a hair transplant is usually OK from day 10. Avoid a tight hat before then.

Varsamhet
Day 1–10
Okej enligt plan
Month 1
Okej enligt plan
After that
Alcohol

Alcohol

Avoid alcohol before a hair transplant and in early healing. Follow your individual plan.

Stopp
Day 1–10
Varsamhet
Month 1
Okej enligt plan
After that
Smoking

Smoking

Smoking reduces oxygenation and healing; avoid smoking as much as possible throughout the entire first year.

Stopp
Day 1–10
Stopp
Month 1
Stopp
After that

Exercise after a hair transplant

Exercise after a hair transplant should wait: avoid hard physical activity for the first month. Gentle walks are often fine earlier, as long as you do not sweat heavily against the grafts.

Sweat, raised blood pressure and bending forward can disturb healing while the grafts settle. Exercise after a hair transplant is therefore more than a calendar question – it is about protecting the recipient area until the skin is stable.

Lighter activity and walking

Short walks at an everyday pace can often resume earlier than gym sessions, if you keep your head in a calm position and avoid getting soaked in sweat. Follow your personal plan if we have given you a different timeframe.

Gym, running and ball sports

Hard training, running, classes and contact sport wait for about a month. When you get the go-ahead: start gently, avoid a helmet or tight headband against the grafts at first, and stop if the scalp becomes irritated.

Cap after a hair transplant

A cap after a hair transplant is usually fine from around day 10, once the scabs are gone and the grafts have settled. Before then a tight cap or hat can press and rub against the new follicles.

Headwear is a common way to protect against sun and attention, but the recipient area is sensitive to pressure in the first days. A loose cap after a hair transplant is therefore better than a tight hat – and timing depends on how healing looks, not on the calendar alone.

When can I put the cap on?

After about 10 days, once you have gently massaged the scabs away according to the instruction video and the scalp feels clean, it is usually fine to wear a cap. Put it on and take it off carefully, without dragging the fabric over the graft line.

Hats, sun protection and a tight fit

A hat after a hair transplant follows the same principle: avoid a tight fit against the recipient area. For sun, shade matters more than fabric pressure in the first days. Later a cap protects against direct sunlight, but do not burn the scalp during the first year.

Alcohol before a hair transplant

Alcohol before a hair transplant should be avoided in the days before the procedure. Alcohol can affect bleeding, fluid balance and how you feel during surgery. The same caution applies in early healing.

The question of alcohol before a hair transplant often comes up before the day of surgery. You will get more detailed information that applies to you, but the rule of thumb is the same as in our other preparation: abstain in the days before.

The days before surgery

Avoid alcohol in the days before the operation. It reduces unnecessary effects on bleeding and fluid balance and makes it easier to follow the rest of your preparation, including any medicine advice we have given you.

Alcohol after a hair transplant

In early healing you should continue to abstain. Alcohol can affect fluid balance, swelling and how well you follow aftercare. When you can drink again depends on your individual plan – contact us if you are unsure before a dinner or trip.

Sleeping after a hair transplant

Sleeping after a hair transplant means sleeping semi-upright at about 45° with a neck pillow for the first 10 days, so the grafts are not pressed against a pillow or headboard.

Pressure and rubbing on the recipient area during the first nights can affect how the grafts attach. That is why sleeping after a hair transplant is part of aftercare, not only a comfortable night.

We recommend sleeping semi-upright, preferably with a neck pillow, for the first 10 days. This protects the new follicles and reduces the risk of disturbing healing before the transplanted area touches a pillow or headboard.

The first 10 nights

Sleep with the head of the bed raised, around 45 degrees, and use the neck pillow from your aftercare kit. Avoid rolling onto the grafts and letting the transplanted area rest against the pillow.

When can I sleep normally again?

After day 10, once the scabs are gone and the scalp feels clean, you can usually sleep normally again if healing has been uncomplicated. Still avoid hard pressure on the area for a few more nights if it remains tender.

Want a more detailed day-by-day picture of sleep and swelling in the first period? Open the results and aftercare timeline.

Patient with neck pillow in recommended sleep position after hair transplant
An elevated head position and neck pillow reduce pressure on the operated area when you sleep after a hair transplant.

Washing after hair transplant: video and checklist

The first washes often feel the most nerve-racking. Follow the clinic products and order: lukewarm water, soft movements and a calm pace along the graft line.

The goal is a gentle, predictable routine: good hygiene without disturbing the new follicles. If unsure, pause and contact us.

Want more detail on shampoo choice, washing technique and what to avoid during healing? Read the guide on shampoo after a hair transplant.

In the video, Simon Näckborn, responsible for hair transplants at Akacia Medical, walks through every aftercare step and medication.

Checklist: first washes at home

  1. Prepare

    Wash your hands. Have the clinic shampoo and lotion ready.

  2. Gentle wash

    Massage according to the video. Do not pull off scabs.

  3. Rinse & dry

    Lukewarm water; let the hair air dry.

  4. Repeat

    Repeat daily until day 10 unless told otherwise.

Managing side effects: swelling, redness and itching

Mild swelling around the eyes or forehead, redness and temporary itching can occur and are usually mild and temporary.

Avoid scratching with your nails. Follow your hygiene plan and contact us if you develop severe pain, fever, spreading redness or symptoms that do not match your information leaflet.

Knowing what is normal reduces stress, and we can give quick guidance when something differs from expectations.

Relevant reading: Prescription medicines such as finasteride may be prescribed individually to protect remaining hair. Read about finasteride with hair transplantation. Want to understand what is normal during healing and which complications are uncommon? Read about hair transplant risks. Need more detail on shampoo, washing technique and what to avoid? Read about shampoo after a hair transplant. Wondering when you can cut, colour or style your hair again? Read about cutting and colouring hair after a hair transplant.

Akacia Medical aftercare kit

What you need to take home, supplemented by pharmacy prescriptions when needed.

Shampoo

Tailored cleansing according to the instructions you receive.

Lotion

Gentle care for donor and recipient areas.

Neck pillow

Support for semi-upright sleep during the first days.

Prescription if needed

Individually prescribed medicines are collected at the pharmacy.

Recovery Booster

Recovery Booster: OxyHelp

Want to optimize recovery even further? OxyHelp (HBOT) is a hyperbaric oxygen therapy that may support healing after a hair transplant, with focus on oxygenation, swelling and a safe recovery.

Learn more about OxyHelp after hair transplantwww.hbot.se
OxyHelp HBOT chamber for recovery after hair transplant

IN THE MEDIA

See why Akacia Medical gets attention in the media

Akacia Medical has been featured in television, newspapers and international media through patient stories, documentaries and expert commentary. Explore our media coverage and see how our work has been highlighted in Sweden and abroad.

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Akacia Medical in the media

PODCAST

Listen to the Hair Transplant Podcast

Do you want a deeper insight into the entire hair journey, from the first thought to the final result? In the Hair Transplant Podcast, you follow real stories about hair loss, consultation, surgery, and recovery.

Listen to the podcast
The Hair Transplant Podcast at Akacia Medical

Common questions about aftercare and healing

How should I sleep after a hair transplant?+

Sleeping after a hair transplant means sleeping semi-upright with a neck pillow for the first 10 days, at about 45 degrees, to reduce swelling and avoid pressure on the recipient area. After day 10 you can usually sleep normally again if healing has been uncomplicated.

When can I wear a cap after a hair transplant?+

A cap after a hair transplant is usually fine from around day 10, once the scabs are gone. Before then a tight cap or hat can press and rub against the grafts. Put headwear on and take it off gently, without firm pressure on the recipient area.

When can I exercise after a hair transplant?+

Avoid hard training after a hair transplant for the first month. Gentle walks can often resume earlier, as long as you do not sweat heavily against the scalp. Gym, running and ball sports wait until you have the go-ahead in your plan.

Can you drink alcohol before a hair transplant?+

Avoid alcohol in the days before surgery. Alcohol can affect bleeding, fluid balance and how you feel during the procedure. The same caution applies in early healing – follow your individual plan. You will get more detailed information that applies to you before the day of surgery.

When can I start washing my hair?+

You usually start washing gently 3 days after surgery with lotion and shampoo provided by us. Washing is done daily up to day 10 according to instructions.

When does itching stop after a hair transplant?+

Mild itching during healing and small scabs is common in the first weeks and usually eases as the skin recovers and scabs shed. Contact the clinic for intense or persistent itching, rash or suspected infection.

When will I see results from my hair transplant?+

You may notice early signs of growth after a few months, but mature assessment is often done around 12 months when density and hairline stabilize. Your doctor follows your individual progress.

Why am I losing hair after a hair transplant (shock loss)?+

Temporary shedding in or around the treated areas occurs for some patients and is often called shock loss. It is usually temporary; new growth may appear later in the process. Contact us if you are worried or if the pattern differs from what was described.

Why does my scalp itch after the procedure?+

Mild itching can be part of healing and small scabs. Avoid scratching with nails; follow the washing routine. For intense itching, rash or suspected allergy, contact the clinic.

Is swelling around the forehead or eyes normal?+

Mild to moderate swelling in the first days can occur and is usually harmless. Sleeping semi-upright and following fluid/medication advice may help. For severe or rapidly worsening swelling, call us.

When will I see the final result after a hair transplant?+

Permanent growth is often assessed around 12 months, although change can be visible earlier during the year. Your individual plan and follow-up determines when we compare before/after.

Contact: treated patients and new bookings

If you have had your procedure with us and develop acute symptoms that worry you, call the clinic. If you want to book a new appointment or consultation, use the usual contact routes.

After surgery, urgent questions

If you notice symptoms you do not recognize from the information material, call us and we will guide you further or book a check-up.

08-53 33 00 02

Book a consultation or follow-up

Plan a follow-up, ask planning questions or book your first consultation. Choose what suits you best.

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Related information

Explore more about our treatments and services

Hair transplantProcessBefore & AfterPricesConsultationHow long does a hair transplant last?Hair transplant month by monthHow fast does hair grow?Cutting and colouring hair after a hair transplantScalp folliculitisFinasteride in hair transplantation

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