Immediate Post-Operative Folliculitis: A Foreign Body Reaction, Not an Infection

ABSTRACT

Immediate post-operative folliculitis (IPF) refers to the development of inflammatory lesions such as pustules or papules around the transplanted hair follicles shortly after a hair transplant procedure, typically within the first 1–7 days. This condition can arise due to one of two primary mechanisms: 1) foreign body reaction or 2) surgical trauma. This is generally self-limiting in nature and does not involve bacterial infection. Proper differentiation from infective folliculitis, which typically occurs later, is critical for appropriate management.