Is It Safe to Massage Strip Hair Transplant Donor Site Two Weeks after Surgery?

This question, from a member of our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by recommended hair transplant surgeon Dr. Blake Bloxham:

Did anyone else massage their FUT donor site after about 2 weeks, or at all? I have been using the baby shampoo/water solution to wash the area, and massaging during, as well as massaging the Polysporin. I read conflicting information online – some people recommend incision massage, others say it may worsen the scar. However, these were for regular surgeries, so not necessarily applicable to hair transplants.

I don’t think it will do much of anything to the scar in the long-term — improve or worsen it. I personally don’t like patients touching too much in the post-op because I think it causes more irritation/inflammation in the area. Again, I don’t think it affects the incision line in the long-term, but it’s usually best — in my humble opinion — to minimize touching as much as you can and let the body heal. I generally tell patients to limit manipulation/touching to washing and during application of things like vitamin E — if they want to use it.

Definitely touch base with your hair restoration clinic and see what they recommend. Their advice is the one you should follow “to a T.”

Dr. Blake Bloxham
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David
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator