Can I Shave my Head a Few Days After a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Procedure?

This question comes from a member of our [tag]hair loss[/tag] social community and discussion forums: 

Three days ago, I underwent a [tag]Follicular Unit Extraction[/tag] ([tag]FUE[/tag]) procedure. I’m returning to work soon and would like to shave my head so that all the hairs are the same length. Is it safe to shave (or “buzz”) my head a few days after an FUE procedure? My [tag]hair transplant[/tag] surgeon says I should wait a week. Is he correct? Could this damage the grafts? Should I wait?

Your surgeon is right. Shaving your head now would almost certainly damage the newly implanted grafts. The new follicles take approximately 7-10 days to fully “anchor” and become permanent, and any disruption during this period can cause lasting damage. Altogether, it would be best to wait at least 7 days before shaving your head. Many would argue that you should really wait 10-14 days, but I would follow your hair restoration surgeon‘s post-operative advice and instructions as closely as possible.

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Blake Bloxham – formerly “Future_HT_Doc”

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning

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