Alma TED aftercare: First 14 Days Aftercare Plan
By Shahin Javaheri, MD - Plastic Surgeon San Francisco | September 18, 2026
Most important rule: for the first 24 to 48 hours after Alma TED Hair Restoration, keep your scalp clean, dry, and hands-off. Don’t scratch, pick, or “check” the area in the mirror every five minutes. Protecting the scalp early is what keeps your momentum going.
We perform Alma TED Hair Restoration right here in San Francisco, and we’ve found that people do best when aftercare is simple, time-stamped, and realistic. Alma TED is a non-invasive, 25-minute ultrasound-based treatment that supports scalp blood flow and follicle strength without needles or discomfort. Your part is protecting the scalp while it settles, especially in our city’s mild, often foggy weather where cool damp mornings and surprisingly sunny afternoons can both trip you up.
Days 0 to 2: Keep the scalp dry, don’t touch, and skip sweat
Your first two days are about reducing irritation. We generally recommend you avoid getting the scalp wet for 24 to 48 hours and avoid touching the treated area. That means no scratching, no aggressive brushing at the roots, and no “just a quick rinse.” If you tend to fidget when you’re stressed, this is the time to catch yourself.
Hold off on strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, hot yoga, and anything that ramps up sweating. Sweat and heat can irritate the scalp and make you more likely to rub. If you’re commuting in from Daly City, South San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Sausalito, or Colma, plan a little extra time so you’re not rushing and overheating.
Quick checklist (first 48 hours): Keep it dry. Don’t pick or scratch. Avoid heat and sweat. Skip swimming and saunas. Protect your scalp from sun, even if it’s just a “quick walk” and the fog burns off.
A note on “side effects” you might notice
With a non-invasive hair restoration treatment like Alma TED, most people do fine. Still, it’s normal to be alert to any changes. Mild scalp sensitivity or temporary redness can happen with many in-office scalp treatments. What we don’t want is worsening pain, spreading redness, persistent bleeding, or unusual drainage. If anything feels like it’s escalating instead of settling, let us know promptly.
Days 3 to 7: When to wash after Alma TED, plus the “don’t rub” rule
Most people are ready to start gentle cleansing around day 3 to 4, unless we’ve told you otherwise. The goal is simple: keep the scalp clean without friction. Use lukewarm water and a mild shampoo, then pat dry. Don’t rub. Don’t use hot water “to feel extra clean.” Heat can stir up irritation.
Avoid styling products at the scalp if they sting, feel tacky, or make you want to scratch. And don’t pick at any flaking or small scabs. Let them fall off naturally. Picking is one of the quickest ways to prolong redness and trigger more irritation.
If you’re in Lower Pacific Heights near Japantown and the Fillmore corridor, you can keep life normal without making the scalp angry. A light walk in Lafayette Park is fine for most people. Save the intense workouts for later in the plan.
Days 7 to 14: Exercise, hats, helmets, sun, and swimming in San Francisco
Exercise timing matters. We generally recommend avoiding heavy sweating for 7 to 14 days. If you’re itching to get back to jogging, cycling, or the gym, start with low-sweat movement first. If you do sweat, keep the scalp as clean as your instructions allow and resist the urge to scrub.
San Francisco reality check: foggy mornings can feel cool and harmless, then you get a bright afternoon on the walk back to your car. Protect the scalp from direct sun with a loose hat when appropriate, and follow our sunscreen guidance if we’ve recommended it.
Swimming, hot tubs, and saunas stay off-limits longer. We typically recommend avoiding pools, hot tubs, and similar environments for at least 2 to 4 weeks. Chlorine, heat, and bacteria are not what your scalp needs while it’s settling.
For hats or bike helmets, think “no pressure, no friction.” A loose, clean hat is usually a better choice than anything tight. If you have to wear a helmet, keep it as clean as possible and keep wear-time short early on. If it causes rubbing or makes you sweat heavily, pause and ask us what makes sense for your schedule.
Products and habits we see protect Alma TED results
Keep your routine boring for two weeks. Mild shampoo. Lukewarm water. Clean pillowcases. And hands off your scalp. If you’re using topical actives for the scalp, pause anything that tingles, burns, or increases flaking unless we’ve specifically told you to continue.
Heat styling at the roots can also be a sneaky irritant. If you blow-dry, keep heat low and keep the airflow moving. Same goes for tight hairstyles that pull at the scalp.
People ask us what not to do after red light therapy because the logic is similar. Avoid heat overload, avoid friction, and avoid aggressive products right away. The scalp tends to do best when you give it calm conditions to respond.
If something feels “off, ” reach out to our team and we’ll talk it through
We take follow-up seriously. Patients regularly mention that we’re easy to reach and that we take the time to answer questions without making them feel rushed. That matters after any procedure, including non-invasive hair restoration, because small issues are much easier to fix when we catch them early.
"He is incredibly knowledgeable, takes the time to answer all of your questions, and is very easy to reach if you ever need follow-up support, which made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process."
one of our long-time clients
Call us if you notice redness that’s spreading, increasing pain, persistent bleeding, or any unusual drainage. If you’re unsure, that’s enough reason to check in. We’d rather give you a clear answer than have you guessing at home.
Want the full plan around this treatment? We’ve also laid out what to expect from Alma TED Hair Restoration and the benefits of Alma TED Hair Restoration so you can line up results and timing.
If you’re comparing options, our overview of hair services in Lower Pacific Heights is a helpful place to start.
Shahin Javaheri, MD - Plastic Surgeon San Francisco | 2100 Webster Street #502, San Francisco, California 94115 | Call: +14159233800 | Email: audi@sfplasticsurgeon.com