Question:
I recently had a hair transplant. Everything was fine except starting around 2 weeks after surgery I started losing a lot of hair in the donor area. Now I'm 2 months out and parts of the donor area are still pretty bald and none of the hair has returned. I'm really concerned about that. Should I expect hair regrowth?
Answer:
It sounds like you may be experiencing donor area telogen effluvium or "shock loss", a temporary hair loss caused by the trauma of surgery. This doesn't happen in every patient, but it's certainly not considered abnormal. In most cases, this hair loss is temporary and shocked hair will begin to grow back around the same time your transplanted hair starts to come in. 6 to 12 months later, your hair should be back to normal, of course, with additional coverage and density from your hair transplant.
What is Shock Loss After a Hair Transplant?
Shock loss is the common name we give to telogen effluvium, a temporary
thinning Or loss of hair to an area of the scalp due to surgical trauma or
another stressor.
You can experience shock loss several weeks after hair transplant surgery.
Shock loss is either experienced at the donor site or near the region where the
transplantation has been done. The reason
behind the shock loss is due to surgical trauma to the
scalp from hair transplantation. The good news is, shock loss is
typically temporary and the only permanent hair loss occurs to hairs that are
miniaturizing due to male pattern baldness and are on their way out anyway.
It will also only affect a percentage of hair and will last of a specific
period of time.
Shocked hairs will eventually start growing again And typically takes
up to six months to a year for the hairs to fully grow back. Essentially,
transplanted hair and shocked natural hair typically start growing back around
the same time although shocked hair grows back thick and terminal immediately
while transplanted hair appears thin and colorless when it starts to grow and
thickens and darkens overtime.
Types of
Shock Loss
There are two types of shock loss and both of them are mentioned below:
Permanent Shock Loss
Permanent
hair loss due to telogen effluvium can occur two hairs that have already been
affected by the DHT hormone, is miniaturizing and is on its way out due to the
effects of male pattern baldness. Another reason for permanent shock loss
can be transaction. Transection of natural hair follicles can occur if an
inexperienced surgeon damages the follicle when creating recipient
incisions. In the hands of a skilled surgeon, this doesn’t happen. This
is why research and selecting an outstanding hair transplant surgeon is key to
ensure you get the very best results
Temporary Shock Loss
As long as follicles aren’t transacted, healthy terminal hairs that have been
“shocked“ due to hair restoration surgical trauma Will always grow back after a
certain period of time. It may take up to six months or a year for these hairs
to grow back in full
What are
the Causes of Shock Hair Loss?
Shock loss after a
hair transplant is experienced on a regular basis. In
fact, this risk should be discussed with your surgeon prior to undergoing
surgical hair restoration. Hair transplant related telogen effluvium or
shock loss occurs as a result of trauma to the scalp during the procedure. This
cannot be avoided as any scoring of the skin near and around hair follicles can
traumatize them and force follicle to shed the hair and enter a resting state
for several months before reentering the growth stage. Shock loss can occur
during both FUT and FUE treatment and can occur in both the
donor and recipient areas.
Does Shock
Loss Always Happen?
There are several factors
leading to shock loss after your hair restoration surgery. The
chance that shock loss will occur due to surgical trauma to the scalp after
hair transplant surgery depends on both the surgeons still an experience and
patient’s physiology. While it doesn’t always happen, certainly can and
does occur in many cases.
How Long
Does Shock Loss Last After A Hair Transplant and When Will My Hair Grow Back?
Experiencing shock loss is common but is only temporary. After the time
period has passed, the hairs will grow back like they use to and will happen 3 to 6 months after hair transplant
surgery. Keep in mind however that shock loss often
doesn’t even occur until a month or two has passed. So shock loss may not last
very long depending on when hair starts to grow back.
How Can I
Prevent Shock Loss after Hair Transplant?
for the most part, a patient won’t either experience temporary shock loss or
they won’t. However, there are some steps One can tank which may minimize
the likelihood of sharp loss occurring. They are mentioned below.
Minoxidil
and Finasteride
Men
and women taking certain medications such as Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine
(minoxidil) may have a less likely chance of experiencing shark loss than
individuals who don’t. This is because both Propecia and Rogaine
strengthen the hair follicle, making it more resistant to trauma.
Hair Density
When
more hair is transplanted in between and around natural hair, the likelihood of
telogen effluvium increases. More transplanted hair means more surgical
incisions which essentially means more trauma to the scalp.
Reducing
the Danger of Transection
When the internal structure of your hair follicles gets damaged due to
transection, these hairs don’t grow back. Therefore, it is vital to
select an experienced hair transplant surgeon with a proven track record of
producing outstanding results for surgery. These excellent hair surgeons know
what they are doing and know how to avoid transection.
Have More
Questions? Consult With a Qualified Hair Restoration Surgeon in Your Area
Before undergoing hair transplant surgery, it is important to research all
surgeons you are considering. The Hair Transplant Network prescreens and
recommends many top hair transplant surgeons in your area. We
recommend consulting surgeon you are impressed with and considering them for
surgery.
Bill - Associate Publisher
