Post-Care Instructions · Scalp Treatments
Hair restoration aftercare
Scalp care after microneedling with peptides or PRP — when you can wash your hair, which products to pause, how to style in the meantime, and what shedding does and doesn't mean. Follow these through the first two weeks of each session in your series.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nokuthula Msimanga, MD — Medical Director, Majspa Medspa & Aesthetics. Last reviewed .
Your scalp treatment created thousands of micro-channels in the thinning areas and delivered peptides (or your own platelet-derived growth factors) straight down to the level where follicles live. Those channels stay open for roughly 24 hours — which is why the single most important instruction is simply: don't wash your hair today. Everything below follows from that.
What's normal — and when to call us
Before anything else, here's how to tell an ordinary part of healing from a reason to reach out.
Normal & expected
- Redness and pinpoint marks across the treated areas for 24–48 hours
- Scalp tenderness, tightness, or a mild sunburn-like feeling
- Slight swelling, occasionally settling toward the forehead overnight
- Tiny pinpoint scabs where the needles entered — leave them alone
- Temporary shedding in the first weeks of a series — expected, not a failure
Call us right away
- Spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever — possible signs of infection
- Severe or worsening pain
- Swelling that increases rather than improves after 48 hours
- Any area of scalp that isn't healing or looks broken open
- Anything else that worries you about how the scalp is healing
Shedding early in a series is normal and expected. Older hairs release as follicles re-enter an active growth phase — regrowth typically shows at 3–6 months. When in doubt, call us at (470) 748-9797 — we would always rather hear from you.
Your recovery, stage by stage
Immediately after treatment
The first 24 hours
- Do not wash your hair. This is the most important rule of the day — washing rinses away peptides or growth factors that are still absorbing. No shampoo, no conditioner, no rinsing in the shower.
- Hands off the scalp. No scratching, rubbing, massaging, or picking at pinpoint scabs.
- Skip hats, helmets, and headbands that trap sweat or rub the treated areas.
- No exercise or sweating, and no saunas, steam rooms, or hot showers.
- Hold scalp topicals. Keep minoxidil and other scalp topicals off for now — a freshly needled scalp absorbs far more product and can sting. Resume as directed at your appointment.
- Sleep on a clean pillowcase the first night.
Washing and styling again
After the 24-hour mark
- Wash gently. Use a mild, sulfate-free shampoo and lukewarm — not hot — water. Let it run over the scalp and use fingertips only; no nails, no scrubbing.
- Pat, don't rub. Blot with a soft towel rather than rubbing the scalp dry.
- Air-dry if you can. If you blow-dry, use a cool setting and keep it moving.
- Style loosely. Avoid tight ponytails, braids, buns, or extensions that pull at the roots for the first several days.
- Protect from sun. A treated scalp burns easily — wear a loose hat outdoors once hats are comfortable again after 24 hours.
Between now and your next session
The first 2 weeks — and across your series
- No chemical services for about 2 weeks — hair color, bleach, relaxers, keratin treatments, or perms.
- Resume your topicals and supplements on the schedule we gave you, and stay consistent with them; the adjuncts do real work between sessions.
- Before your next session: stop minoxidil 24 hours prior. Applying it in the day before treatment leaves active product on the scalp when we needle, which stings and irritates. Mark it on your calendar with your appointment.
- Expect a shedding phase. Some shedding in the early weeks is part of the cycle resetting, not a sign of failure.
- Stay on schedule. Most protocols run 3 to 6 sessions about a month apart, with visible regrowth appearing 3–6 months in and maintenance one to four times a year afterward.
- Photograph your progress. Same lighting, same angle, monthly — scalp change is gradual and much easier to see in photos than in the mirror.
What to avoid while you heal
- Washing your hair — for the first 24 hours, without exception.
- Heat and sweat — workouts, saunas, steam rooms, and hot showers for 24 hours.
- Scratching or picking pinpoint scabs on the scalp.
- Hair color, bleach, relaxers, and perms — for about 2 weeks.
- Tight styles and extensions that pull at the roots for the first several days.
- Direct sun on an uncovered scalp while it's still pink or tender.
When to contact Majspa Medspa & Aesthetics
Reach out right away if you notice signs of infection (spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever), severe or worsening pain, swelling that increases after 48 hours, or any area of scalp that isn't healing. Healing varies by individual — and we would always rather answer a question than have you wait and worry.