When should I call my clinic on days 45–51 after a hair transplant?

Contact your clinic if you notice: Fever, pus, a bad smell, or redness and warmth that spread; Painful or spreading bumps; Low mood that won't lift: talk to someone.

Shedding

Days 45–51 after a hair transplant: The ugly duckling stage

Weeks 7 to 12 are often called the ugly duckling stage: the old hairs have shed and the new ones haven't arrived. It's the hardest stretch for many people, and it is temporary.

What you can do now

On day 45

Wear a hatYes
Go to the gymYes
Go runningYes
Drink alcoholYes
Smoke or vapeCareful
Use a sauna or steam roomYes
Go swimmingYes
Be out in the sunCareful

What's typical

Thin look
Uneven texture
Feeling impatient or low

Call your clinic if you notice

Fever, pus, a bad smell, or redness and warmth that spread.
Painful or spreading bumps.
Low mood that won't lift: talk to someone.

In the GraftKeeper app, Check a symptom walks you through what to do.

Not yet reviewed by a doctor — verify with your clinic.

Sources

Hair transplantNHS, 2023
A hair transplant can give you permanent, natural-looking resultsAmerican Academy of Dermatology, 2026
Hair transplantation surgeryIndian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 2008
Complications in Hair TransplantationJournal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2018