How Long Are My Grafts at Risk for Loss?

I’m trying to determine if I lost any grafts after a recent FUE. I was extremely gentle and did not touch the grafts until day 5 when I was instructed to use moderate pressure and rub at the crusts to remove them. Some of the spots, especially near the hairline and temples were still acutely tender. I expected hairs to still be attached to the crusts. Many hairs did fall out with them. I have read your study on how long it takes grafts to anchor. My question is how much bleeding is typically associated with a graft loss? Just a spot? An ooze? A trickle?

Many places say you probably didn’t lose any grafts unless there was pain or bleeding. But they never specify how much bleeding. I am now at day 7. And hairs began falling off at day 5 with the pressure, which worries me that it was too early. Also, can I use lotion or moisturizer on the recipient site? It tends to dry out.

I wrote that paper with Dr. Bernstein on Graft Anchoring (see here: https://baldingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/mp-2006-graft-anchoring.pdf). As long as there are crusts attached to the grafts, you must not pull them off. This is why I get all of the crusts off on day one. You can use a conditioner after shampoo and moisturize after the crusts are off.