Removing scabs after HT

[sidbtz]

Hi all,

 

I had FUT done with a coalition doc on the 31st. Overall it's been a great experience. Couldn't have done it without HTN. Will post my pics etc soon.

 

Wondering in terms of removing scabs, the doc said I should try to rub lightly on the grafts to remove the scabs after day 7. I am now at day 11 and I know most say the grafts are permanent after 10 days but I am still apprehensive about rubbing on the grafts.

 

How important is it to rub the scabs off? I heard they usually fall off within 10-14 days. Will letting them naturally fall off affect growth? Will not rubbing them off be harmful?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Sid

[Shera]

Hi Sid,

 

It's not important to rub the grafts off, they should naturally fall off within 14 days or so. Rubbing them gently in a circular motion when they are soft during washing will just speed up the process.

 

By now your grafts are firmly embedded in your scalp therefore rubbing or not rubbing will not affect future growth.

Edited June 11, 2017 by Shera

[sidbtz]

Thanks Shera

[mattj]

Yes, removing the scabs isn't very important and the grafts will be firmly rooted in place by now. The scabs will just fall away by themselves and washing will accelerate that as the scabs will soften and come loose.

[chris39]

I still had scabs around the 14 day mark and was told by my surgeon to try and remove them . Just had a long soak in the bath and they pretty much went .

[pkipling]

I found that letting them soak in warm suds while you're in the shower was really helpful in removing them... Then they'll come off with almost no effort.

[Speegs]

NEVER EVER PICK AT THEM, other than that, have patience, they will fall off naturally in their own time a couple of weeks post op.

 

You can soak your head to encourage them along.

[gillenator]

Scabs and crusts are two different things. Yes scabs will come off as the scalp heals but crusts can be more stubborn for some individuals. That's because crusts are dead tissue.

 

If you check with your surgeon, he will undoubtedly tell you that it was the crusts that he was referring to in removing them.

 

Crusts are the tips of the grafts above the scalp line that dry out and can become hard and take some rubbing to remove.