Are Grafts Secure After 7 Days?

If you are one week after your hair transplant, you may be asking:
“Are my grafts secure now?”
In most uncomplicated cases, graft stability has progressed significantly by Day 7. However, understanding what “secure” actually means can help reduce unnecessary worry.

 

What Happens During the First Week?

During the first week after a hair transplant, your scalp moves through a very organised healing process. Understanding this helps explain why gentle care matters.

 

First 72 Hours
This is when grafts are at their most delicate.

Your body produces fibrin, a natural healing protein found in blood.

Fibrin forms a soft biological mesh around each graft, helping to hold it in place.

At this stage, grafts are not yet connected to their own blood supply.

Instead, they receive nutrients from the surrounding scalp tissue.

Because of this, unnecessary touching, rubbing or pressure should be avoided during this period.

 

Day 3–5

Fibrin continues supporting early stability.

Tiny new blood vessels begin forming connections to each graft.

Light crusting becomes visible — this is a normal part of healing.

Grafts are becoming progressively more stable, but picking or pulling crusts can still disturb them.

This stage is about allowing natural healing to progress without disruption.

 

Day 6–7

New blood vessel connections are more established.

The graft is becoming integrated into the surrounding scalp tissue.

The likelihood of accidental dislodgement under normal handling reduces significantly.

In most uncomplicated cases, grafts are generally considered secure around this stage, provided no significant disturbance has occurred.

 

Can Grafts Still Fall Out After 7 Days?

Unexpected graft loss after one week is uncommon unless there has been:

• Aggressive scratching

• Forceful picking of crusts

• Direct impact to the scalp

• Strong friction

Normal gentle washing, light touching, or showering according to clinic guidance does not typically remove secure grafts.

 

Why Does the Scalp Still Feel Sensitive?

Even though graft anchoring has progressed, the scalp may still feel:

1. Tight

2. Itchy

3. Slightly tender
4. Red

This does not mean grafts are unstable.

The surface skin is still completing re-epithelialisation — the natural process of closing small wounds. Redness and sensitivity can persist beyond the first week without indicating a problem.

 

What About Scab Removal at 7 Days?

Many clinics begin guided scab removal protocols between Day 7–10.

Scabs should not be picked prematurely. When softened properly and removed gently according to your clinic’s instructions, this stage does not usually affect graft stability.

Always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.

 

When Should You Contact Your Clinic?
Contact your clinic if you experience:

• Fresh bright bleeding
• Sudden significant pain

• Clear trauma to the grafted area

• Uncertainty about what you are seeing

Most post-week-one concerns are visual rather than structural.

 

Calm Perspective

By Day 7, graft integration has typically progressed well in uncomplicated cases.

While care should still be gentle, grafts are not loosely sitting in place at this stage.

If no significant trauma has occurred, stability is usually well established by the end of the first week.

For personalised reassurance, your clinic should always be your first point of contact.