Hair transplants are effective treatments for many types of hair loss, including male pattern baldness. During the procedure, a surgeon will remove follicles from the back or side of the head and implant them into the affected area of the scalp.
Hair transplant surgeries are carried out in a medical office under local anesthesia. Like any other surgical procedure, there are certain risks that come with hair transplants. Your surgeon will discuss the expected side effects before the surgery and ensure that you’re fully informed.
Side Effects of Hair Transplant Surgery
Generally, hair transplant side effects are usually temporary, and the risks can be minimized through proper care.
Other potential side effects you may experience following your surgery include:
- Scalp pain, itching, and swelling
These will be the most immediate side effects of hair transplant surgery. Pain and swelling are caused by inflammation of the scalp following surgery and are quite normal. They occur a few days after surgery and shouldn’t last longer than three days or so. In some cases, swelling can spread down to the face, making it difficult for some people to go about their day-to-day tasks. If swelling is too severe, your doctor might prescribe steroids to minimize it.
Itching typically starts when scabs start forming on your scalp. While the intensity of itching may vary from one patient to the next, it’s a good idea to arrange a follow-up with your surgeon before it escalates beyond tolerance.
- Bleeding
A bleeding scalp is one of the more common hair transplant side effects and is usually nothing to worry about. Your surgeon will make small incisions in the donor and recipient areas, so it’s quite normal to experience some light bleeding after surgery.
It’s imperative to follow your doctor’s aftercare recommendations to avoid further irritation of the scalp and ensure it heals appropriately.
- Scalp infections
As with any surgery, there’s a risk of infection. Although hair transplant infections are fairly rare, they can happen in the event of poor aftercare or in patients with a weakened immune system.
It’s important to look out for signs of infections, including excessive reddening, burning sensation, and pus-filled abscesses in your scalp. Even though most infections aren’t serious, it’s still a good idea to see your doctor. They’ll most likely prescribe a round of antibiotics to take care of it.
- Scarring
The most common side effect is scarring, which cannot be avoided with any surgical procedure. That said, visible scarring mainly depends on the skill of your surgeon, the condition of your scalp, and the method of extracting grafts.
FUT (follicular unit transplantation) generally leaves a more visible scar line because it requires removing a strip of skin from the scalp. On the other hand, FUE (follicular unit extraction) involves individual extraction of hair follicles and tends to leave minimal scarring.
- Folliculitis
Simply put, folliculitis is an inflammation that appears on the hair follicles. It’s a skin condition that’s more likely to affect people with acne and appears as small pimple-like lesions in the donor or recipient areas. Resist the urge to scratch and consult your doctor to rule out an infection.
Not to worry, though, folliculitis does not affect the growth of transplanted hair and tends to clear out on its own after a few days or weeks.
- Shock loss
Shock loss is one of the more alarming hair transplant side effects. It’s also rather common and happens when the transplanted hair falls off at about 3 to 4 months after surgery.
The shedding is only temporary as it does not affect the roots of the hair grafts. Normal hair growth should resume after several months.
- Hiccups
On a lighter note, patients can experience hiccups during or after hair restoration surgery. They’re thought to occur due to the stimulation of the phrenic nerve as it originates in the neck.
The Takeaway
Hair transplant surgery is a relatively safe procedure. However, the key to a safe and successful surgery lies in your choice of surgeon.
Contact us today with any questions or concerns you might have about hair transplant surgery.
