After repeated hair transplants, the donor area can become tighter over time. Even some individuals who have never had a hair transplant may be born with relatively tight scalps. In these individuals when I feel the back of the scalp and it feels tighter than I would like, I prepare them for surgery with 2 to 3 months of scalp exercises to break up any scar tissue and to relax the donor area so that the incision will heal better postoperatively and also so that there is less a feeling of tightness in the first 1 to 2 weeks following surgery.


Hands clasped and positioned to engage in scalp relaxation massages in preparation for future hair-transplant sessions.

The technique involves simply clasping one’s hands behind the head as if you are leaning back on a chair. Then you slide the palms of the hands up and down the back of the head, typically resting at the mastoid or bony bumps that are the areas of greatest tightness in the scalp. Then, you slide the palms (still interlocked) side to side to break any adhesions or tightness in a different angle. Then, you rotate the hands in a figure of 8 direction to further break up any adhesions. You can do this for a few minutes a few times a day for a few weeks to a few months leading up to your hair-transplant procedure, as directed by your surgeon. Obviously, after the procedure as the wound is healing, you definitely do not want to do this.

Samuel M. Lam, MD, FACS, a board certified hair transplant surgeon in Dallas, Texas. To learn more about hair loss, or to schedule a hair transplant consultation please call 972-312-8105, or visit hairtx.com for more info. To ask Dr Lam a question please visit our hair loss forum.