Side Effects Of Hair Transplantation You Must Know

Hair Transplant How It Works And Types

Hair transplant is a hair restoration surgery done by a seasoned cosmetic surgeon. Active hair follicles from the scalp or any body parts are transplanted to the bald areas of the scalp. The active hair follicles produce the most natural-looking hair in the bald area.

There are two types of hair transplantation Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) (6):

1. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) This procedure involves placing the extracted follicular units in the recipient scalp. This requires precision as the punches for the follicular units need to be placed right. The punches should not be larger than the units.

2. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) This hair transplant procedure involves extracting the follicular units from the donor site. An area of healthy hair growth is opened, and some follicular units are taken from there. With the help of special micro punches, the units are implanted in the bald area.

Quick Tip

Hair transplantation is not a good option for people with keloidⁱ  A thick and bumpy scar formed after a wound has healed which is generally caused by excessive proteins in the skin during the healing. scars because hair doesn’t grow on scar tissue.

Side Effects Of Hair Transplant 

• Hair Shedding

Excessive hair shedding is a common side effect of hair transplantation. Due to vascular disruption and surgical trauma, the donor area (where the active hair follicles are extracted) may experience hair thinning. Hair shedding is greater in Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) than Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) as the graft is larger. Moreover, FUE causes permanent hair shedding, whereas FUT reverses hair shedding after surgery downtime.

• Bleeding

Whether you get FUE or FUT, there are bound to be cuts. The doctor ensures that bleeding is minimal. However, you may also experience bleeding during the post-operative hair transplant recovery time.

• Scarring

Scarring or sterile folliculitisⁱ  A common skin condition characterized by the infection of tiny pockets in the skin (follicles) from where hair grows. is common in some people who undergo hair transplantation. The scars can also make the surgery visible. In a study, 23% of patients were affected with sterile folliculitis after hair restoration surgery (7).

• Inflammation

Lichen planopilaris (LLP) is a rare inflammatory hair disorder and an extreme version of sterile folliculitis. It can even lead to permanent alopecia and replacement of hair follicles with scar-like fibrous tissue (8).

• Infections

Infections may occur near the site of the suturesⁱ  A stitch or rows of stitches made to join together the edges of an open wound or surgical incisions. . Epidermal cysts may also occur, which needs occasional drainage (9). Poor scalp hygiene can lead to localized infections in donor and recipient areas (5). 

• Pain

Hair transplantation is an invasive surgery that can cause pain if the anesthesia is not administered in the right dose. During post-operative recovery, you might also feel a stretching sensation.

• Swelling

Swelling or edemaⁱ  Swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body's tissues and can affect any part of the body. is common in people undergoing hair transplantation. You may experience swelling around the eyes and forehead. It can be severe sometimes and make the eye appear darker.

• Itching

The formation of scabs at the site of the transplantation can cause itching. However, the itching of the scalp will stop after the initial days of the surgery.

Note: If you use minoxidil, stop its usage until the area heals.

• Numbness

Numbness may occur due to local anesthesia or if hair transplantation is done by inexperienced hands, leading to nerve damage. When the anesthesia wears off, the numbness reduces.

• Hiccups

Experiencing hiccups after a hair transplantation procedure can be an unexpected and occasionally uncomfortable occurrence. While it is not a common side effect, it may cause some concern for individuals who have recently undergone the procedure. According to a study that was published in 2021, the hiccups result from irritation to the phrenic nerve, which connects to the area behind the ear. This irritation can happen in both strip harvesting and FUE methods. Typically, the hiccups subside on their own. If they don’t, a prescription of 25 mg of chlorpromazine, taken orally two to three times a day, may be recommended (10).

These are the side effects of hair transplantation. However, do not get all sweaty yet. Consult your doctor before deciding for or against it. What you can do is check if you are an ideal candidate for hair transplantation. Scroll down to know more. 

Simon Nackborn, a YouTuber, shared his personal experience with hair transplantation as well as his overall healing and hair growth journey in one of his videos. He recounts, “The first few days had me looking like a freak, the strange forehead here was due to the swelling and the headband I was wearing that I got from the clinic (i).” He further shares, “After two days I was allowed to remove the bandages, this wasn’t a pretty experience.”

Ideal Candidate For Hair Transplantation 

• Age: If you are above 25 years of age, you are probably a good candidate for hair transplantation.
• Hair Caliber/Diameter: If your hair has a larger shaft diameter or thicker caliber, you will get denser coverage through hair transplantation.
• Donor Hair Density: If the donor site has 80 follicle units (FU) per square centimeter, you can opt for hair transplantation.
• Degree Of Baldness: If the baldness is severe, you might not be the ideal candidate for hair transplantation, as only some areas can be covered.

• Expectations: If you have realistic expectations of the treatment and are undergoing treatment with minoxidil or other hair growth medicines, you are an ideal candidate for hair transplantation.

Did You Know?

The doctor may prescribe medications like antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relief medicines to soothe any discomfort caused by the transplant procedure.

Other Hair Growth Treatment Options

• PRP Treatment: Platelet-Rich Plasma treatment is a regenerative method for hair loss. It is a partially invasive hair growth treatment. Platelets from your blood are separated and injected at the balding site to help stimulate the follicles and lead to hair growth.

• Laser Light Treatment: Laser light treatment or Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is an FDA-approved treatment for male and female pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia). It is non-invasive and painless. Click here for the benefits, limitations, and costs of this procedure.

Note: Consult a dietitian for a well-balanced diet as a healthy lifestyle is important to help stimulate hair growth and reduce hair fall.

Last but not least, there’s another drawback to hair transplantation. Scroll down to know more.

Hair Transplant Cost

The cost of a hair transplant can be around $1500 or higher. It also comes with various side effects and requires 3-4 weeks of recovery time. On the other hand, PRP treatment costs around $1500 to $3000, and it has almost no side effects. Laser treatment costs $1600 to $5000, depending on whether you use at-home equipment or visit a clinic. 

Infographic: Tips To Reduce Hair Fall Naturally

Hair transplantation is a medical treatment used for hair regrowth. While it is an effective treatment, it may cause swelling, hair shedding, and pain. But the good news is that you can follow certain strategies to reduce hair fall naturally. Check out the infographic below to know more.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the hair last after transplant?

After a transplant, the new hairline is visible, and the transplanted hair starts falling after 4-6 weeks.

How long does it take to recover from a hair transplant?

It takes about 3-4 weeks to recover from a hair transplant.

What should not be done after a hair transplant?

Avoid washing your hair for 48 hours after hair transplantation. After 48 hours, use a mild shampoo and be gentle while massaging the scalp. Do not dye your hair or sleep on the side of the transplant. Avoid wearing helmets and caps. Do not sit under the sun or apply ice directly on the hair transplantation site.

Which is better – FUE or FUT hair transplant?

FUE leads to more hair shedding than FUT post hair transplantation surgery. Let your doctor decide which method would suit you the best.

Is hair transplant permanent?

Yes, a hair transplant is intended to be permanent. It typically lasts the rest of your life.

What is the failure rate of hair transplants?

In contrast to non-scarring alopecia (> 90%), hair transplantation in cases of scarring alopecia has lower graft survival rates (50%) (3).

Do hair transplants turn gray?

Hair transplants turn gray once the hair of the donor area does. Rarely, the treatment may cause some transplanted hair to age prematurely, but it will not have an impact on the longevity or general health of the hair.

What is the success rate of a hair transplantation?

The hair transplant success rate depends on various factors like the expertise of the surgeon, the technique used, the quality and quantity of the donor hair, and the individual’s overall health.

Hair transplantation can be a great solution for hair loss, but does it come with any side effects? Find out in this video!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Shruti ChavanMBBS

   

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr.Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee member of CDSI (Cosmetic dermatologist Society of India). She is highly skilled in non-surgical facial skin rejuvenation and face lift by the use of injection treatments and lasers.

Read full bio of Dr. Shruti Chavan

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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