In our previous entry we covered what to expect after a hair transplant, with a promise to continue listing more potential side effects. We talked about the good far outweighing the bad, especially because the side effects aren’t always experienced by everyone.
To review, a hair transplant is an effective treatment 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. Here are some additional ones to consider, keeping in mind they are usually temporary and the risks minimized through proper care.
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. And they will likely advise to take the antibiotics until a certain date, even if symptoms lessen or disappear.
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.
FUE (follicular unit extraction) involves individual extraction of hair follicles and tends to leave minimal scarring. On the other hand, FUT (follicular unit transplantation) generally leaves a more visible scar line because it requires removing a strip of skin from the scalp.
Hair Shedding or Shock Loss
Another common occurrence after a hair transplant procedure is hair shedding, which typically takes place a few days to weeks following the surgery. This shedding is a natural and expected part of the post-operative process, with more than 90% of the transplanted grafts falling out.
While it may initially seem counterproductive, hair shedding is a necessary step for hair follicle regeneration. Initially, the regrown hairs may appear lighter in color, but over time, they will become thicker and acquire a richer tone, usually after about a year.
In addition to regular hair shedding, there is a less common condition known as shock loss. Shock loss refers to the sudden loss of hair in either the donor or recipient area and can occur approximately four to eight weeks after the surgery, though occasionally it may happen earlier. Despite being distressing, it’s important to note that shock loss is temporary and a natural reaction of the scalp to the surgical process.
The hair loss is only temporary as it does not affect the roots of the hair grafts. Normal hair growth should resume within weeks or months.
Dr. Williams takes great care to minimize the likelihood of shock loss and provides comprehensive support to patients experiencing this phenomenon.
Hiccups
On a lighter note, patients can experience hiccups after hair restoration surgery. They’re thought to mainly occur due to the stimulation of the phrenic nerve as it originates in the neck. Another reason hiccups may occur is from a reaction to the steroid medicine sometimes used to reduce swelling after the procedure. Hiccups as a side effect can be categorized as rare, and more research needs to be done to pinpoint preventative measures.
As always, we encourage you to choose for yourself if the risk is worth the reward. Hair transplant surgery is a relatively safe procedure. However, the key to a safe and successful surgery lies in your choice of surgeon and following medical advice. For more information or to get started, Schedule a Consultation with our expert team.
