Just to clarify, this is not to suggest that one should be aggressive with removing their scabs post hair transplant, but just questioning whether if one does end up in that spot where the gentle scrubbing/massaging of the recipient area to encourage scabs to come off, and in that process slight picking using nails is a deal breaker or not. In my personal case, having underwent a 2300 graft fut procedure with a coalition surgeon, I was super careful the first 12 days and followed every post op instruction to the letter and spirit. However on thirteenth night, while taking shower (started showering twice a day since day 4 or 5), I was 'gently massaging at first then somewhat using a bit of nail in a couple of areas but don't remember anything too harsh. I'm about 14 weeks post transplant and so far have not witnessed any breakthrough of the grafts thru the skin, but my surgeon told me it shud be starting around week 16 to 17 mark, so just waiting and watching.
But obviously this is a thought that keeps coming to my mind whether I did something that one time or maybe the way I managed showering had any effect on damaging the follicles under the graft... Keep in mind, per my doc's instructions, I didn't begin even touching the transplant area in shower until after 10th day , and until like a month post transplant he had me not use the power wash shower, just drop water through a jug....
From my research so far (Google post ht scabs pick), I have come up with 90 percent results suggesting that after 10 days it shud not be a problem, but like I mentioned earlier, there is one particular Doctor William rassman who seems to be very vocal in suggesting that this results a lost follicle and no growth takes place through the hair which had scab on it, whether doing so causes any blood or sting on the scalp or not... So when I read that, I wonder if that is the case why is this not so heavily highlighted as a never ever, under no circumstances, do type thing.