Hair transplant surgery is a major decision for anyone wanting to improve their appearance. It is a procedure that is becoming increasingly popular, as more people are turning to it for solutions to hair loss. However, hair transplant surgery does come with risks, and if not performed correctly, can lead to hair transplant failures. In this blog, we will be exploring the causes of hair transplant failures, how to spot the signs of a hair transplant gone wrong, and what to do if a hair transplant has failed.
What is a Hair Transplant?
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which a doctor transplants healthy hair follicles from a donor area to an area of the scalp with hair loss. The donor area is usually the back of the scalp, where the hair is thicker and more resistant to the effects of balding. During the hair transplant, the doctor will remove healthy hair follicles from the donor area and transplant them to the balding area of the scalp. The hair follicles will then grow in the new area, resulting in restored hair growth.
Causes of Hair Transplant Failures
There are several possible causes of hair transplant failures. The most common cause is inadequate donor supply. When the amount of donor’s hair available is insufficient, the surgeon will not be able to transplant enough hair to adequately cover the balding area. This can lead to a patchy result or even complete failure of the hair transplant.
Incorrect placement of the hair follicles can also lead to failure. If hair follicles are not properly placed, the hair will not grow in the desired area. Or may not grow at all. Furthermore, if the surgeon is inexperienced or not skilled enough, the hair transplant may fail. Therefore always make your research before choosing the right hair transplant clinic.
How to Spot the Signs of a Hair Transplant Gone Wrong
If you have had a hair transplant and are concerned it might not have been successful, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. The most obvious sign of a failed hair transplant is patchy hair growth. If the hair appears to be growing in clumps or is not growing in the desired area, this could be a sign of a failed hair transplant.
Another sign to look out for is itching and irritation. Irritation and itching can cause by hair follicles that have not been properly placed. This can be an indication that the hair follicles were not implanted correctly.
4 real-life cases in Reddit of hair transplants gone wrong:
1. Posted by u/HespelerBradley: 3 years ago Hair Transplant gone wrong
2. Posted by u/HorticultreTherapist: Hair transplant gone wrong. What should do to revise? Any advice?
3. Posted by u/primandproperfun: How about hair transplants gone wrong?
4. Posted by u/Lusieve: Post-15-day hair transplant I had a transplant and my hair is growing a bit, however my hair is still quite dry. I have been using baby shampoo and conditioner but still gets dry in the evening I have not used any oils as of yet has anyone gone through this?
Finally, if the hair is not growing as expected, this can be a sign of a failed hair transplant. If the hair is not growing in the desired area or is growing at a slower rate than expected, this could be an indication that the hair transplant has not been successful.
How to Avoid Hair Transplant Failures
The best way to avoid a failed hair transplant is to choose your clinic carefully. It is important to ensure that the surgeon has experience in performing hair transplants and has a good success rate. Also, it is important to make sure that the amount of donor’s hair available is sufficient for the desired results.
It is also important to ensure that the hair follicles are placed correctly. Before the hair transplant, the surgeon should create a plan of where the hair follicles should be placed.
Finally, it is important to follow the pre-and post-operative instructions provided by the surgeon. This will help to ensure that the hair follicles grow properly and that the hair transplant is successful.
Hair Transplant Recovery Tips
Once a hair transplant has been completed, it is important to follow post-operative instructions provided by the surgeon. This will help to ensure that the hair transplant is successful and that the hair follicles grow properly.
It is also important to keep the scalp clean and avoid activities that can cause irritation, such as swimming and sunbathing. The scalp should be kept covered when outdoors to protect it from the sun’s rays.
It is also important to avoid any activities that can cause trauma to the scalp, such as vigorous brushing or combing. This can dislodge the newly transplanted hair follicles and cause the hair transplant to fail.
What to Do If a Hair Transplant Has Failed
If a hair transplant has failed, the first step is to seek professional help. A doctor or dermatologist will be able to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
The doctor may recommend a different type of hair transplant, such as follicular unit extraction (FUE) or scalp reduction. These procedures can be used to restore the desired results, but they are not as successful as traditional hair transplants.
The doctor may also recommend medications or other treatments to encourage hair growth. These treatments can help to restore the desired results, but they may not be as successful as a hair transplant.
Hair Transplant Repair Treatments
If a hair transplant has failed, there are some treatments that can help to repair the damage. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment that uses the patient’s own blood to stimulate hair growth. This treatment involves injecting a mixture of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.
Hair transplants can also be repaired with a combination of medications and treatments. The doctor may recommend a combination of medications, such as minoxidil and finasteride, to encourage hair growth. The doctor may also recommend other treatments, such as PRP or mesotherapy, to repair the damage caused by a failed hair transplant.
Hair Transplant Donor Area Care
It is important to take care of the donor area after a hair transplant. The donor area should be kept clean and free from irritation to ensure that the hair follicles are not dislodged. It is also important to avoid activities that can cause trauma to the donor area, such as vigorous brushing or combing.
Sun’s rays can be very dangerous for the donor area. A hat or scarf is needed to protect your scalp from damaging UV rays.
Hair Transplant Aftercare Regimen
After a hair transplant, it is important to follow a strict aftercare regimen. This will help to ensure that the hair follicles grow properly and that the hair transplant is successful.
The aftercare regimen should include avoiding activities that can cause trauma to the scalp, such as vigorous brushing or combing. Your scalp should be kept clean and free from irritation.
It is also important to follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen to promote healthy hair growth. Eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise will help to ensure that the hair follicles grow properly and that the hair transplant is successful.
Conclusion
Hair transplant surgery has become increasingly popular as more people are turning to it for solutions to hair loss. However, it is important to remember that hair transplants do come with risks if not performed correctly, and can lead to hair transplant failures. In this blog, we have explored the causes of hair transplant failures, how to spot the signs of a hair transplant gone wrong, and what to do if a hair transplant has failed. We have also discussed how to avoid hair transplant failures, hair transplant recovery tips, and hair transplant donor area care. Finally, we have discussed the importance of following an aftercare regimen to ensure that the hair follicles grow properly and that the hair transplant is successful. The most important factor to avoid “bad surprises” is to make good research in advance for the most suitable hair transplant clinic to perform your hair transplant.