Crusts are otherwise known as scabs. They are an accumulation of dried serum and red blood cells, which may cover two or more grafts on the top of the head. Of course, it is normal for each graft to have a small crust on it for five to seven days. These generally will come off after five to seven days when kept moist with ointment, which we prescribe. The reason that we have people come back in 1-3 days for follow up is to make sure there are no crusts covering two or more grafts, and if there are, they are removed. If you are a heavy smoker, you probably should not have a hair transplant. If you are able to quit smoking for one week before and one week after the procedure, you will probably do fine. There have been a few cases of heavy smokers who develop larger crusts, the size of a quarter or half dollar, that eventually must be removed surgically, and then leave a small crater in the scalp, which takes a few weeks to heal and then requires additional transplanting. Therefore, if you are a heavy smoker, please do not hesitate to bring this to the doctor's attention.