Short answer: after a hair transplant, scabs usually fall off in one to two weeks, the transplanted hairs shed within about six weeks, new hair starts to appear around four months, and the full result takes 10 to 18 months, according to the NHS. Only the first week or two happen in Korea. For the trip, plan around washing instructions, any stitch removal for strip (FUT) surgery, and a check before you fly.
The first two weeks
| When | What usually happens | What it means for your trip |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0 | The procedure usually takes four to eight hours (AAD), under local anaesthetic. | A long day. Arrange transport back to your hotel. |
| Days 1 to 5 | Bandages come off after one day (ASPS) or two to five days (NHS). The scalp can feel tight, achy and swollen for a few days (NHS). | Stay close to the clinic and keep the head still. ISHRS suggests sleeping semi-upright for two to three days. |
| Days 2 to 6 | The first gentle wash is allowed on day 2 (ASPS) or day 6 (NHS), depending on the clinic. | Ask for written washing instructions in English. |
| Around day 3 | A minority of people get mild forehead swelling that appears around day 3 and goes after three to four days (ISHRS). | Plan indoor days. |
| Days 4 to 14 | Scabs form within 24 hours and fall off in about 4 to 14 days (ISHRS). The grafts are not secure for the first two weeks (NHS). | Avoid anything that could knock or rub the scalp, including tight hats and crowded trains. |
| Days 7 to 14 | Stitches or staples from strip (FUT) surgery come out in 7 to 14 days (ISHRS). FUE does not need stitches. | Plan the stitch visit before your flight if you have FUT. |
Swelling is the most common complication. In a 2026 multicenter study of 1,167 patients, 8.94 percent had swelling with standard technique, and 2.66 percent with a combined prevention method (Sun et al.). A 2009 series of 533 procedures found an overall complication rate of 4.7 percent, mostly scar problems and folliculitis (Salanitri et al.).
The months after: shedding and regrowth
Most of the result happens long after the trip. The transplanted hairs fall out between two and eight weeks after surgery (AAD), and the hair may look thinner than before by the third month. New hair usually starts to appear after about four months (NHS). Most people see results at six to nine months, and some need 12 months (AAD). The NHS puts the full result at 10 to 18 months.
Shedding is expected. Plan any judgment of the result for a year later, not for the end of your trip.
Back to work and exercise
- Work: sources range from one to two days (The Aesthetic Society) and several days (ASPS) to one to two weeks off (NHS). Visible scabs are often the deciding factor.
- Exercise: avoid vigorous exercise and contact sports for at least three weeks (ASPS). The NHS says to cut down on exercise in the first month.
- Numbness: usually disappears within two to eight months (ISHRS).
When can you fly after a hair transplant?
No society guide or study we found gives a flying date after a hair transplant, and the NHS cosmetic surgery abroad page does not list it. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) 2023 guidance groups procedures for people who travel four hours or more. Long local-anaesthetic procedures over 90 minutes fall in its middle group, with advice to arrive at least 72 hours before surgery and stay one to two weeks after. BAAPS labels this expert opinion. It also asks for at least one review by the operating surgeon before you travel home.
For the flight itself, the practical concerns are protecting the grafts in the first two weeks and keeping the scalp clean. Ask your clinic how to handle the headrest, a neck pillow and any hat.
A sample 7 to 10-day plan for Korea
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| Arrival, then Day −1 | Consultation, hairline design and pre-op checks. |
| Day 0 | Procedure day. |
| Day 1 to 3 | Bandage check or removal. Rest at the hotel, sleep semi-upright if advised. |
| Day 4 to 7 | First washes as instructed. Short indoor outings, no hats unless your clinic allows them. |
| Day 7 to 10 | FUT stitch removal if needed, final check, then fly home when your clinic agrees. |
Replace every date with the ones your clinic gives you. The Clinic KR trip planner lays them out day by day and flags a flight that is booked too early.
Questions to ask your clinic before you book flights
- Is my procedure FUE or FUT, and will I have stitches to remove?
- When and how should I wash my hair, and can you show me?
- Can I wear a hat or a hood, and from when?
- How should I protect the grafts on the flight home?
- How many grafts were placed, and can I have that in writing?
- Who do I contact from home if I see redness, pus or a lot of swelling?
FAQ
How long should I stay in Korea for a hair transplant?
Long enough for the first check, any FUT stitch removal and a review before you fly. Under BAAPS guidance for long procedures, that is about one to two weeks after surgery.
When do transplanted hairs fall out?
Usually between two and eight weeks after surgery (AAD). ASPS says within six weeks. This shedding is expected.
When will I see results?
New hair usually appears after about four months. Most people see results at six to nine months, and the full result takes 10 to 18 months.
When can I wash my hair after a hair transplant?
Clinics differ: ASPS says gently within two days, the NHS says by hand on day six. Follow your clinic’s written instructions.
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Hair Transplantation Recovery. Checked October 9, 2026.
- NHS. Hair transplant. Checked October 9, 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss: hair transplant. Checked October 9, 2026.
- International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. FUE: what is it?. Checked October 9, 2026.
- International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Patient brochure (2017). Checked October 9, 2026.
- British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. BAAPS Cosmetic Tourism Guidelines, September 2023, v1.
- The Aesthetic Society. Hair Transplantation Aftercare and Recovery. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Sun Y, Xu F, Zhang J, et al. Comprehensive Prevention for Edema after Hair Transplantation: A Multicenter Study of 1167 Patients. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2026;157(1):49e-57e. PubMed 40663782.
- Salanitri S, Gonçalves AJ, Helene A Jr, et al. Surgical complications in hair transplantation: a series of 533 procedures. Aesthet Surg J. 2009;29(1):72-6. PubMed 19233009.
This guide gives general information, not medical advice. Read how we research and check these guides.