12 Days Post-Op, Can I Scrub My Scabs Hard Since There’s No Danger of Losing Grafts?

Dear Dr Rassman,

I still have a lot of scabs/crusts 12 days post op – is it safe now for me to scrub on them without the danger of pulling the graft out? I have read your detailed article regarding this stating that your research show that after 9 days the grafts cannot be logged out with a scab, so my question is can I scrub on them hard now to get rid of them? Also even after 12 days my head of hair seems like it was pre op but I havn’t seen the transplanted hair in the bath?

Thank you for your help

Generally it should be safe to wash your hair, but I would not use a scrub brush on the scabs. I would soak the scabs and then rub them gently with your fingertips after soaking in shampoo for a few minutes and they’ve become softer. I do not know what or how your surgery was done, though. If you had follicular unit transplantation the way we do it here at New Hair Institute, it should be safe, and I would be shocked to see significant scabbing at 12 days. Otherwise I really cannot say what you are experiencing.