Side Effects of Hair Transplant
Side effects of hair transplant are within the realm of possibility just like any other surgical intervention. Hair transplantation involves taking hair grafts from the donor area at the back of your head and transplanting them to the crown, mid-scalp, or frontal part of your head. During or after surgery, you may have temporary or permanent side effects, depending on the success of your operation.
Side effects for hair transplant are usually pretty mild than most cosmetic procedures. Such operations are done under local anesthesia, and lead to minimal scars that are as small as a dot. That’s way over 98% of people heal in a few weeks in the post-surgery period.
However, some patients experience permanent adverse effects mostly because of poor hygiene. Read the article to find out how to avoid hair transplant complications.
Side Effects of Hair Transplant in Men and Women
The side effects of hair transplantation can vary depending on your gender. Common and temporary side effects of hair implantation include mild pain, redness and fatigue in both men and women. Other complications that are common to both male and female hair transplant patients include:
- Swelling
- Shock loss
- Infections
- Itching and scabbing
- Numbness
To give an example of gender-related variables, because women have more fine hair, itching after scabbing is more common. In addition, the hair growth cycle is more variable in women due to hormonal changes during menstruation. And also, some males are known to suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) as a result of stress or medication.
What are the side effects of hair transplant?
Hair transplantation has more than one side effect. However, since the technique of each hair loss surgery is different, the side effects also differ. For techniques based on follicle transplantation, although the procedure is generally similar, the size of the scar and the effect it can have vary depending on the equipment and method used.
FUE Hair Transplant Side Effects
Follicular unit extraction hair transplantation causes tiny scars. That is because punch tools are made of materials like Sapphire and were designed to create small incisions. The most common post-operative complaints reported by FUE patients are:
- mild pain,
- flaking and dandruff
- swelling, itching,
- shock hair loss
- numbness in the recipient and donor areas.
DHI Hair Transplant Side Effects
Direct hair transplant involves filling a smaller bald area compared to FUE. Its side effects are more minimal. Mostly reported complaints include;
- slight bleeding,
- mild soreness and pain,
- redness and slight swelling,
- shock loss around 2nd to 4th weeks
FUT Hair Transplant Side Effects
Follicular unit transplantation is the most traditional of the hair transplantation technologies. Today, hair transplants have become much more successful due to robotic techniques, micro tools, detailed scalp and hair analysis. As a result, FUT lags behind in the following areas:
- FUT removes a strip of scalp, which leaves linear scars in most patients.
- FUT requires stitches and the incisions are larger and take longer to heal.
- It limits 2nd surgery options because it uses a single strip in the donor area.
- It can cause more post-op difficulties than the newer methods.
- Its scars are large and easily visible.
Are side effects of hair transplant permanent?
Some serious side effects – even if they occur in less than 1 in 100 patients – may have long-term effects. For example, scars caused by over-harvesting of the donor area can become permanent in the hands of inexperienced surgeons together with poor after-care.
It might sound like a myth, but botched hair transplant deaths are real. They’re rare, but they do happen. Most of the time, these deaths are caused by a heart attack. People who aren’t suitable for anesthesia might have a cardiac arrest before the surgery. You might be at risk, if;
- you have any cardiovascular disease,
- your body reacts to anesthetic drugs,
- the wrong dosage is given.
When do side effects of hair transplant start to decrease?
The type of side effect influences the hair transplant healing process. If there is an infection, there may be short-term (a few weeks to 2-3 months) symptoms depending on the type of infection. However, if there is a serious risk of infection affecting all hair follicles, even 80-90% of the newly transplanted hair may fall out.
Complaints such as swelling, bleeding and pain usually disappear completely within 1-2 weeks after the operation. It may take 3-4 months for the redness to fade and turn light pink. This depends a little bit on the rate of regeneration of your cells.
Even if you experience shock loss, it is possible to see your new hair from the three-to-four-month mark at the latest. If you experience numbness for a longer period of time and you cannot see your new hair after several months, contact your clinic.
What are long term side effects of hair transplant?
Hair transplantation is a permanent solution, but don’t worry, the side effects are not! Hair transplant procedures are safe. If you experience any permanent side effects, it’s a good idea to check in with your surgeon, as it could be a sign that something is wrong.
Even some patients are afraid to become cancerous after hair transplant surgery. Calm down; no such cases have been reported so far. If you apply quality care after the op, follow post-op rules, and choose a well-known clinic, you may not even experience any soreness and pain. Being aware of hair transplant risks is OK, but keep in mind that it is not a very complex procedure.
Are there any side effects in facial hair transplant?
Medical professionals have also improved hair transplantation methods for facial hair. These techniques, which cover smaller areas compared to head hair transplants, carry lower risks. But yes, there are risks in these surgical operations:
- beard transplant surgery,
- eyebrow transplant surgery,
- eyelash transplant surgery,
- mustache transplant surgery.
As with FUE, U-FUE, NeoGraft and DHI, swelling, bruising, scarring and pain are side effects of facial hair. Shock hair shedding, edema, and graft failure are among the side effects that can occasionally occur.
Is there a side effect in the beard transplant operation?
Beard growth can be difficult for some men because of uneven stubble and genetic conditions. For men seeking a fuller beard, there are many modern options like a beard transplantation. Beard transplants are rarely side-effect prone. However, rare-Issues may include:
- Skin darkens (hyperpigmentation) around the transplanted hair follicles.
- Skin loses color, also called hypopigmentation. Skin lightens at the donor or recipient sites.
- Tingling or numbness in the treated areas.
- Cysts form under the skin. These are subcutaneous acne. They heal as the treatment ends.
These are temporary side effects. Very rarely, there is a risk that the operation will fail in patients who receive poor care or are treated in a deficient clinic.
FAQs about Side Effects of Hair Transplant
No, there is no proof that hair transplants cause cancer. But patients with a history of cancer may have a lower success rate. They should tell their surgeon about any medication they are taking pre and post-surgery.
Yes, there can be side effects linked with the anesthesia. Some patients may experience allergic reactions including temporary numbness, tingling, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and dry mouth.
Yes, some medications taken after the operation can have potential risks. For example, painkillers can cause nausea, drowsiness, and constipation while antibiotics may result in a rash and diarrhea.
Ref List
- Garg AK, Garg S. Complications of Hair Transplant Procedures—Causes and Management. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2021;54(04):477-482. doi: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1739255
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