Having an itch that you cannot scratch can be very frustrating. And having one on your scalp soon after a hair restoration surgery can add an understandable concern to the frustration. But the good news is that in most cases, itching is a common hair transplant side effect that will resolve on its own within 3-5 days [1][2]. However, if it gets worse, does not subside, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it may be a sign of an underlying problem. Find out more about the main reasons your scalp may be itching after a hair transplant and how to reduce this sensation effectively.
This article explores the 5 most common causes of post-hair transplant scalp itching. We offer practical ways to discern between normal procedure side effects, common scalp problems and signs of potential complications. We also share with you the most effective, evidence-based medications and home treatments that can help reduce your scalp itching and keep you comfortable throughout your hair transplant recovery.
Key takeaways
Yes, it is perfectly normal to experience some itching during the first few days after your surgical hair restoration. This is a natural part of the healing process, and you may have experienced it with other wounds which started to itch as they were closing.
However, if your itching is very intense and does not subside with over-the-counter allergy medications, it is best to let your surgeon know.
Post-hair transplant itching is usually mild and tolerable – some patients don’t even take any medication to treat it. Most people use over-the-counter antihistamines to stay comfortable, as per their surgeon’s recommendation. Here is how one of our patients describes his experience (see all our reviews on the Wimpole Clinic TrustPilot profile):
However, in rare cases, the itching can be severe or suddenly increase in intensity. This can be a potential sign of complications, especially if it occurs or persists past the first few days post-surgery and is accompanied by pain, pimples around the graft roots and/or inflammation. While hair transplant infections are very rare (they occur in under 1% of all procedures) [7], they can endanger your graft survival. So it is best to let your surgeon know about this development so they can catch any problem early and treat it appropriately.
That nagging, itchy feeling after your hair transplant should peak in intensity 2-3 days after your procedure, as small scabs start to form around your grafts. Spraying them regularly with saline solution and taking antihistamines as needed should, however, greatly reduce the unpleasant sensation and keep you comfortable [1].
The itching should gradually subside around the 4th day post-op and will usually dissipate completely after day 5. However, there can be some exceptions where it persists for 7 days after your hair transplant or even more, especially if aftercare is not properly performed and your scalp is not well-hydrated.
There are several reasons why your scalp may be itching after your hair restoration surgery. Here are the most common ones:
As the small wounds on your donor and transplant areas start to heal, it is very common for your scalp to feel itchy. In the vast majority of cases, this is one of the most common side effects of this procedure. This usually happens due to nerves being irritated by the body’s repair processes and the release of histamine by your immune system, which helps your body fight against microbes. Histamine is a chemical compound used to send messages throughout your body, but it also causes symptoms associated with allergies, such as itching, sneezing, etc.
While it may be unpleasant, it is perfectly harmless [2]. Itching usually starts a few days post-hair transplant operation and can last until the healing process is complete. Make sure to keep your scalp moisturised with salt water to avoid dryness that may increase itching.
About 14 days after your hair transplant, you will likely experience a phenomenon called hair transplant shock loss. This means your newly transplanted hair will start shedding partially or completely, only to start growing back within a few months.
If 3-4 months have passed since your hair restoration surgery and you suddenly start experiencing an itch in your transplant area, with no other symptoms, it may be a good sign. It may be telling you it’s time to start checking the mirror for new hair. That is because, after a hair transplant, an itchy scalp can mean your hair is growing, the same way it sometimes happens after shaving.
If you have a long-term scalp problem, it must be well-managed before your hair transplant so they don’t flare up during healing. However, even with the best prevention, they can still occur and may be itchy. Here are some common examples:
Be sure to let your surgeon know about any lesions, rashes, scales and plaques that appear on your scalp during recovery, so they can provide proper care instructions.
While the wounds from your hair transplantation are small, they can still get infected. Hair transplant folliculitis is one of the most common complications, present in about 1% of patients [1][2]. It is caused by bacteria and manifests with bumps, pustules or pimples around your hair follicles, inflammation, redness and pain.
In more severe cases, the infection can be deeper, causing an abscess. Depending on the severity of your infection, your hair transplant surgeon may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics [4].
Rarely, you may find that your scalp starts to itch after applying a topical treatment (e.g. Minoxidil) or medicated shampoo prescribed to you as part of aftercare. Or after any specific kind of substance or fabric comes in contact with your scalp.
If you are also experiencing redness, swelling, burning and/or blisters alongside the itching, it could be a sign of contact (allergic) dermatitis [5]. The best thing you can do is to clean the irritant substance off your scalp gently and to stop using it. If you are still in your healing period, inform your surgeon of this development.
However, if you are getting a scalp itch and some redness from using topical Minoxidil for the first time, know that this happens to many users. It takes some people’s scalps a couple of weeks of daily applications to get accustomed to this treatment, then these side effects subside. So if the itching is not very intense or accompanied by other distressing symptoms, you may want to wait a while to see if it improves over time.
On its own, scalp itching after a hair transplant is most often harmless, and even a natural side effect of your healing process and hair regrowth. However, there are some rare situations when you shouldn’t ignore this symptom:
Here is a small guide to help you realise whether your post-transplant scalp itching is a natural occurrence or something you should be speaking to your doctor about:
You should feel free to contact your surgeon anytime you feel concerned or have questions regarding your scalp itching. Doing so is especially important if you notice any of the potential red flags for complications listed above, which could harm your grafts.
Here, at the Wimpole Clinic, our surgeons ask their patients to send daily scalp photos and updates for the first 10 days after their hair transplant. This is a good opportunity to bring up any suspicious itching you may be experiencing, so they can put your mind at ease and offer the best advice. However, even if this time frame has passed, our experienced surgical staff is always just a phone call away until your healing process is completed.
The main difference between follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT) is the way your hair follicles are harvested. When getting FUE, each hair graft is extracted individually from your safe donor area. For FUT, however, the surgeon harvests an entire strip of skin from the back of your head and cuts it up into grafts. The wound is then sutured.
The FUT method is more invasive and makes hair transplant recovery take a little longer than FUE. It can also cause more itching and discomfort as the larger wound on your donor area heals. However, the itching should still be low to moderate intensity and resolve after around 5 days post-op.
Depending on what is causing your scalp to itch, you may find relief by using one of these usually over-the-counter medications:
If you are in the first days after your hair transplant, your surgeon will normally recommend taking an anti-allergy medication (antihistamine) to reduce your scalp itching as needed [6][7]. These drugs can also help with itching caused by allergic reactions from topical substances applied to your scalp (e.g. topical Minoxidil or hair styling products).
Corticosteroids, such as Prednisolone, are among the most commonly recommended medications to be taken after your hair transplant. The treatment course often lasts 4 days after your procedure, and it is used to prevent hair transplant swelling and inflammation [6]. However, steroid creams can also be used later in your recovery, as they can help reduce scalp itching in patients with psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. Just make sure to get your surgeon’s recommendation before using these medications.
If your scalp itching is caused by a yeast infection on the scalp, such as seborrheic dermatitis, you can try washing your scalp with a medicated shampoo (such as Nizoral, which can also help with hair loss). These shampoos contain antifungal ingredients such as ketoconazole, piroctone olamine, salicylic acid, or coal tar. They can reduce the flare-ups and provide you with significant relief if used regularly.
If you’re curious to learn some all-natural home treatments that can relieve your post-transplant scalp itching, here are some of the best tips:
If you are in the first week of recovery after your hair transplant, it’s absolutely necessary to keep your grafts well-moisturised. This not only helps your healing process, but it can also reduce scalp itching caused by dryness [2]. Here is a neat trick that our experienced patient advisor, Kristy Egan, recommends to make spraying your grafts even more effective:
Keep your spray bottle or saline bottle in the fridge. It’s gonna act like a soothing effect on the transplant area and also the donor area, and it’s gonna reduce any itching as well.
Some of the best essential oils for hair growth can also help soothe your scalp and reduce itching. For example, peppermint oil for hair contains menthol, which can calm an irritated or inflamed scalp [8]. And tea tree oil for hair is known for its antimicrobial properties, which can help reduce the symptoms of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis [9].
Aloe vera gel for hair has soothing, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and has been known to help improve wound healing [9]. It is likely to help reduce your scalp itching [2], especially if applied cold. However, keep in mind that it is not advisable to apply topical gels to your scalp before your grafts have become secure after your hair transplant, as there is a chance of dislodging them when massaging the gel in.
Starting with the 4th day postop, you are once more free to wash your hair after your hair transplant, provided you do so very gently. If your scalp itches, it is a good idea to increase the frequency with which you clean your scalp. Research found that washing your hair as often as daily (at least 5-6 times a week) reduces scalp itching and decreases the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis [10].
Keeping your scalp cool can have a soothing effect and decrease local itching. So you can use cooling packs on the affected part of your head. However, make sure to apply them very gently, to only use them after your grafts have become secure. Moreover, it’s best to place the cooling packs in a koozie or over a piece of fabric, not directly on your scalp, to avoid cold burns or frostbite.
To sum things up, here is a list of the most important things that you should and shouldn’t do when you are experiencing scalp itching after your hair transplant:
When it comes to hair transplant recovery, it is best to know what to expect at every stage ahead of time. Understanding why your scalp may itch, hurt, or be swollen post-procedure can help you stay calm and choose the right treatment for fast relief. Our experienced surgeons at the Wimpole Clinic are happy to answer your every question and prepare you for every scenario. All you need to do is book a no-strings-attached hair transplant consultation.
Part of the reason the Wimpole Clinic has been voted Hair Transplant Clinic of the Year for 4 years running (2021-2024) is the ongoing care and support we provide our patients. Our dedicated surgical staff will be in touch with you daily during your healing period to make sure all is going well. After that, we will continue to be here for you as needed, so your questions and concerns will never have to go unanswered.
Check out the answers to these frequently asked questions to find out even more about why your scalp may be itching after your hair transplant:
Even if you experience intense itching, refrain from scratching your scalp with your nails for at least 3 weeks to 1 month after your hair transplant. While your hair grafts become securely attached after around 7-10 days post-surgery, the area remains sensitive, and your grafts are still fragile. Vigorous scratching carries the risk of pulling them out.
However, starting 7-10 days after your hair transplant, you can gently rub the itchy area of your scalp with the flat side of your finger to relieve a pesky itch.
If the itching on your scalp spreads to a different part of your body, you may be experiencing an allergic reaction. This is especially true if you also notice irritation, a rash, swelling or tenderness in the affected areas. If the symptoms are mild, taking an antihistamine should help calm them down. However, if they do not improve or worsen over time, contact your GP, as many health conditions can manifest with itching. Call emergency services as soon as possible if you develop severe swelling or difficulty breathing.
Normal post-hair transplant itching should not return once it has been resolved 3-5 days after your procedure. If you start experiencing it again 2-3 months after your hair transplant, it could be due to your hair growing back after the hair transplant shedding period.
However, if you also experience other symptoms alongside itching, you may have developed a common scalp problem, such as seborrheic dermatitis or a hair follicle infection. Examine your scalp carefully for flaking or crusts, redness, tenderness, a rash, or pimples around your hair follicles. Or, better yet, see a trichologist for a professional diagnosis and treatment.
Your scalp may feel extra-itchy after going outside because the sun and the wind can dry it up. A dry scalp can be itchy and tender, which is why you should always keep it moisturised with saline during your first week post-op.
If you have recently had a transplant, you need to avoid being out in the hot sun, as it won’t only make your scalp dry and itchy – the UV radiation can also damage your sensitive grafts. And while covering your head can solve this problem, keep in mind that you need to wait at least 10 days before wearing a hat after a hair transplant.
No, there are no recorded cases of permanent scalp itching after a hair transplant. On extremely rare occasions, patients can experience some nerve damage, which can leave an area of their scalp feeling numb, tingly or extra-sensitive to external stimuli. However, these sensations usually resolve without intervention within a few weeks or months post-surgery.
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Talk to a specialist
With experience in all steps of the transplant process, including graft extraction, incisions, and graft placement, as well as proficiency with all incision methods – including sapphire blades – Dr. Correia (GMC 7426938) possesses an in-depth skill set at the disposal of his clients’ wishes.
His clientele has included celebrities, professional athletes, and social media influencers, all seeking discreet, high-quality care tailored to their public-facing lives.
Having undergone extensive training under the guidance of pioneering hair transplant surgeon Mr. Michael May at the esteemed Wimpole Clinic, he has developed a wealth of expertise in the field of hair restoration. His experience and mentorship under Mr. Michael May have equipped him with cutting-edge techniques and a profound understanding of the intricate art and science of hair transplantation. This comprehensive training has positioned him as a skilled and innovative practitioner in the realm of cosmetic surgery, ready to deliver exceptional results to his clients.
Having graduated from University College London with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, along with a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, he continued with a 10-year career in the NHS in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, focusing on surgical specialties, including Emergency, Colorectal, Breast, and Transplant Surgery.
Dr. Correia enjoys combining his interest in the science of hair transplantation with his upbringing in an artistic family to create natural aesthetic designs that complement his clients’ unique features. He also understands how important the decision to undertake a hair transplant can be for his clients and prioritises collaboration throughout the process for optimal outcomes.
