Here's the post-op instructions from three different elite clinics:
Bernstein Medical:
Care of Transplanted Area
Shampoo every three to four hours the day following the hair restoration procedure, and then twice daily until your one-week post-op visit. Be especially careful when cleaning the transplanted site in the first few days so that the grafts will not be dislodged. However, a thorough but gentle rinsing of the recipient area will minimize crusting and make the hair transplantation less noticeable. When shampooing and rinsing the transplanted area, be gentle for the first two weeks following the hair transplant surgery. Do not rub, pick or scratch, as this may dislodge grafts.
IHTI
6. 24-36 hours after surgery, shampoo the graft sites gently with the shampoo provided by the clinic. You can be more aggressive when cleaning the donor area. Shampoo your head twice a day for three days. You may use your regular shampoo immediately after shampooing with our cleanser. Be careful not to let the shower water hit your directly on the graft sites. You may want to keep a cup in the shower to help rinse the graft sites. Blot dry the graft sites until ALL scabs have fallen off.
Jeffrey Epstein- foundhair:
o If you are not coming to the office to have your hair washed, you may gently clean it on the second day as follows:
+ Wet your head in the shower with cool to warm water, pouring it over the scalp (top, sides, and back) using a bowl.
+ Using a mild shampoo, lather it in your hands, and gently pat it onto the graft areas, while lightly rubbing it into the other parts of the scalp, including the sides and back of the scalp. Be sure to wash well the sutured areas.
+ Gently rinse off the shampoo, then pat dry.
+ Combing, as long as it is performed gently, is permitted on the third day.
+ Continue this routine daily for the first 5 days. After this, you may begin to lightly rub the graft area to help remove crusts, and shower normally.
+ Any remaining crusts after 8 days should be rubbed off. Stop if there is any pain or bleeding and wait 2 more days.
Slightly different, but generally along the same lines. Basically wash the second day, and keep things clean, but just be very gentle, lightly patting the area, and never using direct water pressure. You def want to keep your head clean though. Hope this helps.