Recovery: swelling, oozing, scarring and aftercare

Swelling in the head and face — is it normal?

Yes, within limits. During surgery the scalp is injected with tumescent (expansion) fluid and anaesthetic. What isn't absorbed right away migrates under gravity into the tissue under the skin, causing head swelling that normally clears within 3–5 days.

Facial swelling happens when that fluid migrates downward — usually because the patient didn't lie flat during the first days. Lying flat for the first three days helps the fluid drain the way it should.

Why is my swelling slower to clear than other people's?

• Individual variation.
• Not resting, or not lying flat.
• Strenuous activity (running, jumping) soon after surgery, which amplifies the effect of gravity on the fluid.

How to bring swelling down faster

1. Immediately after surgery, the doctor can express some of the anaesthetic and tumescent fluid manually (this is noticeably painful).
2. Lie flat at home — most swelling drains out through the back of the head by the next day.
3. Avoid looking down at your phone for long stretches, and avoid sleeping on your side — both push the fluid toward the forehead or one side.
4. Reduce salt intake.
5. Alternate warm and cold compresses on the swollen area to stimulate circulation.

Fluid oozing from the scalp

Tumescent fluid seeping from the donor/recipient sites is normal for the first 5–7 days and tapers off by itself.

If oozing continues past ~7 days, the usual causes are the wound getting wet (leading to infection or inflammation) or pressure on the follicles from hats or wigs worn during recovery. The clinic's guidance: use an infrared lamp on the area for about 30 minutes daily to promote absorption, keep the wound clean, and change dressings/medication on schedule. Contact your surgical team if it persists.

Will the donor area scar?

With FUE, no visible linear scar is expected. When scarring does happen, the causes are:

1. Surgical factors — non-sterile technique or poor disinfection causing infection.
2. Aftercare mistakes — poor wound care leading to follicle damage and scarring.
3. Constitution — people prone to keloids/hypertrophic scars can scar regardless of technique.

To minimize the risk: choose a properly licensed hospital or clinic, complete the pre-surgery checks, avoid spicy, greasy and irritating food after surgery, and keep the wound area clean.