Hair Transplant Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week Healing After a Hair Transplant in Istanbul, Turkey

written by Dr. Mostafa Dikes

All you need to know about hair transplant recovery timeline

So, you’ve had a hair transplant in Istanbul, Turkey. Or maybe you’re about to. Either way, you’re probably wondering what happens next. Will it hurt? Will it look weird? When does the new hair actually show up? These are the kinds of questions almost everyone has about the procedure, and you’re not alone.
Read everything you need to know in our hair transplant recovery timeline guide …

The truth of the matter is…

The first month is going to be a bit hectic. Your scalp will go through some changes, and there are a few things that might surprise you if you’re not ready for them.

But not to worry!

If you know what to expect, you’ll feel a whole lot more relaxed about it all.

This guide is here to walk you through what each week looks like after your hair transplant surgery. You’ll also get some care tips to help you heal the right way.

Hair transplant recovery timeline: Day 1–7 After a Hair Transplant

In the first week after your hair transplant in Istanbul, Turkey, your scalp might feel tight, sore, or even a little numb. That’s totally normal. You’ll also start seeing tiny scabs around the grafts. But that’s good news. It means your scalp is healing. The rule this week? Do not touch the grafts! Seriously. No scratching. No picking. No rubbing. They need time to settle in and lock into place.

Another thing to expect in the first week after your transplant is swelling. Some folks get swelling on their forehead or even around their eyes. If this happens to you, don’t stress about it. It usually goes down in a few days.

By the end of the week, things will start to calm down. The scabs will begin to fall off on their own, and your scalp should look less red and irritated.

Care Tips for Week 1

• Sleep with your head propped up on pillows to help reduce swelling.
• Gently spray or wash your scalp if your clinic gave you a special solution or shampoo. Follow their directions closely.
• Don’t wear hats unless your hair transplant surgeon says it’s okay.
• Avoid doing things that make you sweat. That means no workouts, saunas, and no hot showers.
• Hands off the grafts. I can’t stress this enough. It’s the most important tip of all.

Hair transplant recovery timeline: Day 8–14 After a Hair Transplant

By the two-week mark, you’ll probably feel a lot more normal. Most of the scabs should be gone now, and the redness will have calmed down. Your scalp won’t be as sensitive anymore, and you can usually go back to washing your hair more normally.

But here’s something that might catch you off guard. The hairs from your transplant might start falling out.

Before you panic, hear this. That’s called shedding or “shock loss,” and it happens to almost everyone. It’s actually part of the process. The grafts are still in your scalp. It’s just the hair itself that’s falling out. New hair will grow in later from those same follicles.

This part can feel a little discouraging. You finally start to heal, and then your new hair disappears. But hang in there. It’s temporary. And totally expected.

Care Tips for Week 2

• Keep washing gently, but you can usually start using your fingertips now. No more babying the scalp.
• Don’t freak out if the transplanted hairs start shedding. That’s supposed to happen.
• Still avoid sweating too much or doing intense workouts.
• Try not to use hair products yet. Keep it simple and clean.
• Be gentle with combing or brushing. Tugging can irritate the area.

Hair transplant recovery timeline: Day 15–21 After a Hair Transplant in Istanbul, Turkey

Three weeks into the surgery, and now it feels like… not much is happening. No more scabs. No more swelling. And maybe not much hair left either, if it already shed. That can be frustrating, but it’s totally normal.

At this stage, your scalp is healing from the inside. The follicles are alive and well under the surface, but they’re not in a rush. They’re just resting right now and getting ready to grow again.

It might look like your hair is back to square one. But what’s actually happening is all behind the scenes. New hair will start to come through in the next couple of months.

This is where patience really matters. Nothing exciting might be happening on the outside, but inside your scalp, things are quietly moving forward.

Care Tips for Week 3

• You can usually go back to regular hair washing now, unless your hair transplant surgeon told you otherwise.
• Stay gentle with any styling or brushing.
• Don’t wear tight hats or helmets that press down hard on your scalp.
• No need to check the mirror every hour. Things are moving slowly now, and that’s okay.
• Keep eating well and getting sleep. Healthy habits help your hair, too.

Hair transplant recovery timeline: Day 22–30 After a Hair Transplant

It’s already been almost a month since the hair transplant surgery, and let me tell you, you’ve made it past the hardest part.

By now, your scalp probably looks and feels pretty normal again. You’ve healed up. The grafts are locked in. Any leftover redness should be almost gone. You might even notice a few baby hairs starting to peek out. Or maybe not. Either way, you’re still on track.

But guess what? This little part right here is the calm before the storm. The real hair growth is coming, but not quite yet.

Most people start seeing noticeable changes after three to four months. Some faster, some slower. Whichever it is, you don’t need to worry too much.

Why?

At this point, it’s less about healing and more about waiting. Just stay consistent with your care, don’t do anything harsh to your scalp, and try to enjoy the downtime. Your new hair is coming.

Care Tips for Week 4

• Stick with a gentle shampoo. Avoid harsh chemicals or heavy styling products for now.
• You can usually return to your normal workouts if your transplant surgeon says it’s okay.
• Try taking monthly photos to track your progress. It’s cool and can be motivating to look back later and see the changes.
• Be patient. It takes time to grow good (or even great) hair.

When to Call Your Hair Transplant Surgeon

Most of the time, things go just fine after a hair transplant. But every once in a while, something might pop up that needs a closer look. So, how do you know when it’s time to call your surgeon instead of just waiting it out?

If you notice a lot of pain, bad swelling that doesn’t go away, or yellow or green fluid coming from your scalp, that’s a sign that something’s not right.

Same goes for a fever, a strong bad smell, or if your scalp starts to feel really hot and tender. Don’t try to fix it yourself. Call your clinic right away!

Also, if you accidentally hit your head hard or bump the grafts and you’re not sure if they got damaged, it’s better to check in than stress about it.

Basically, if something feels off, or you’re just not sure if what you’re seeing is normal, reach out. Your hair transplant surgeon or clinic staff would much rather you ask a “silly” question than stay silent and worry.

Getting it Right From the Start

If you don’t want to have to deal with any complications, you might want to consider doing your hair transplant in Turkey.

Besides being one of the best places for medical tourism (I.e, in terms of quality, price, and results), Turkey is also home to some of the most skilled hair transplant surgeons and clinics.

You can even opt for a top clinic like HospitalXP. The reason being that it’s a subsidiary of DentSpa, the literal Best Dental Clinic in Europe. When the experienced pros at HospitalXP are helping patients tackle hair loss, they approach things with the same level of care and skill that got their parent clinic named the absolute ‘best’ in Europe.

Hospital XP is a subsidiary of DentSpa, the best dental clinic in Europe. As such, they’re home to some of the most skilled hair surgeons you’ll find. Their team boasts over 25 years of experience, and like DentSpa, they offer a relaxing atmosphere where you can resolve your hair loss worries with peace of mind.

For those who are inspired by this MedClinics blog, remember that your path to a new smile is just a phone call away. Anyone interested in finding out more should contact MedClinics. There you will be in the best hands.

Get a free consultation and a no-obligation quote now!

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