Risks and Side Effects With A Hair Transplant

The hair transplant is a safe, minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic and sedative. Usually taking one day to perform. That said, there are many aspects that need expert care and attention. To ensure the result not only looks natural. But grows and maintains the skin with minimal changes.

Quality can vary massively. You should research thoroughly before deciding on your Doctor and Clinic. The decision should be based on quality and care. Not the cost or ease and convenience.

We have known for well over fifty years how a hair transplant works. That genetically strong hair around the sides and the back of the scalp. Also, now the body (donor area,). Can be moved to a new area of the scalp (recipient area). Where it will behave as if it were still in its original state.

It should be understood that not all hair transplant procedures are the same. Care should be taken to ensure you understand the consequences of being on the wrong side of a poorly performed hair transplant. Not only the growth or the look but also the damage caused to your remaining hair and skin. A hair transplant, when performed to high quality, is a technically skilled surgical procedure. That requires medical and artistic skills learned over the years. To ensure the required care and attention is given to achieving the best result.

Dense Packing

This is the art of placing the follicular units close together. To ensure a natural result/density/fullness is achieved in one procedure and one area. For example, the hairline not having large gaps between each hair. Having to go back later to complete the job. The number of follicular units placed will change dependent on a number of factors. Hair characteristics, hair shaft quality, ethnic origin, hair colour, curl, and your existing hair density. Dense packing is a great skill. Being able to successfully place the follicular units close together. Without compromising the growth of each hair. The angle of the site and the size of the gauge used will all affect the result.

Transection

Can occur with either FUT or FUE techniques. Although more discussed with the FUE technique. As there are a greater possibility the transection rate increases out of control. There can be a number of negative effects if a hair unit is split, or “transected”. For example, take a 3 hair unit is split into 2 and 1 hair. This would then make up 2 “grafts” instead of 1.

Transection can also kill the hair by damaging the follicular unit. By splitting the follicular unit vital growth or survival factors of the unit could be damaged or lost. Protective fatty tissue around the unit, genetic information, muscle receptors. As well as other glands may be missing or damaged. Leaving a partial follicular unit in the donor has no real benefit to the patient and often can later miniaturise due to trauma anyway.

Shockloss

Shock-loss can occur to the native hair in the recipient area. Sometimes but less common in the donor area. The medical term for shock loss is effluvium, meaning shedding. This can occur when grafts are placed in an area which has hair. There can be some trauma and tissue reaction to the surgery that can cause the existing hair to shed prematurely. Shock loss usually affects the miniaturised hair. This hair is nearing the end of its lifespan. It is most likely to be shed at some point in the near future. Some healthy hair will be shed, but it invariably regrows. Shock loss is more common when a large session is performed. Or excessive medications used. Shock loss can also occur in the donor area, more so with larger strip procedures, it is certainly less common, but can still occur.

Numbness

Numbness is inevitable after the procedure. It usually occurs in the donor area and can last a few weeks and months on the odd occasion. The severing of the nerves needs to naturally repair over time and can depend on the anesthesia and how aggressive the hair transplant procedure is.

Any kind of medical procedure has associated risks. If you are thinking about getting a hair transplant, ensure that you’ve done thorough research so that you are prepared for what may be in store for you.

Scarring

Any medical or surgical procedure that makes an incision in the skin will leave a degree of scarring. The nature of the scarring will differ between the hair transplant techniques from a linear scar to white dots. Follow the post-operation care instructions to ensure the best healing possible and then regardless of the technique both are very easily hidden under a little hair length. If you are prone to scarring, this is a side effect that you should be worried about. It is seen that some patients develop genetic predispositions towards extreme scarring.

How to start your research

Take different opinions from a variety of Doctors and Clinics and then narrow down your search before requesting an online consultation.

Your personal assessment is designed to answer questions such as are you a hair transplant candidate, your hair loss stage, whether your goals and expectations are realistic and if so how many graft, the technique to use and the cost.