Hair transplant is the most effective method of hair restoration and the most promising. Constantly being modified, the techniques hold cosmic expectations. However, to hair transplants, there are certain side effects of hair transplant that people should become familiar with to avoid disappointment
Side effects of hair transplant that vary based on the technique
1- Visible scarring
The visible scarring on the donor site mainly depends on the method of extraction grafts. Therefore, the wave of inclusivity for the side effect of scarring is limited to technologies with an invasive aptitude.
The follicular unit transplantation FUT which is the precedent technique causes a scar during harvesting of grafts. It operates on isolating strips of skin from the scalp by surgically removing them, and later dissecting the strip. The wound requires stitching that heals into a visible linear scar. Follicular unit extraction (FUE) because the extraction of the hair follicles occurs in an individual manner, the scars are between 0.5 – 0.8
2 – Nerve damage
Nerve damage is one side effect that that can happen in some techniques such as the FUT method. The depth of the wound in addition to the area it covers interferes with the nerves in the location leading to permanent or temporary (6 months) damage. Techniques such as the follicular unit extraction FUE and its variants the sapphire FUE and DHI Choi practice a minimal protocol in the hair follicle harvesting phase. in Fue, using a punch to individually isolate follicular units makes the wounds minimal in size and do not extend to the nerves in the area.
3 – Limited scalp laxity
Scalp laxity refers to the ability of the skin to stretch upon the application of force or tension. The stitching in FUT hair transplants limits the flexibility of the scalp often times for a period of 8 months but sometimes the damage is permanent.
Common temporary side effects of hair transplant temporary
1- Pain
Pain is a present factor in hair transplants, however, you will not feel any pain during the surgery as the operation occurs under the effect of local anesthesia. Once the sedative wears off the pain will gradually build off. At Vera Clinic, we provide our patients with pain killer medication to ensure no discomfort persists throughout treatment. Within a few days, the pain will completely subside.
2- Folliculitis in hair transplant
Folliculitis is a medical term for ingrown hairs is a typical side effect of hair transplants that ensues after four months from hair transplants and is simply brittle hair that doesn’t possess the strength to break through the scalp. Folliculitis can go away with over the counter ointments and scalp rinsing with warm water.
3- Shock loss in hair transplant
Shock loss is a symptom that appears somewhere by the end of the first month and is characterized by generic loss of hair from the recipient site. Mistaken for loss of follicular units, shock loss is a cause for worry. Once the hair sheds it creates room for stronger and better hair growth.
4- Infection
Infection rates are low with hair transplants if the procedure was initially performed in the right environment: sterile operation in hospitals that operate above board with a skilled team that abides to medical guidelines. For instance, at the Vera Clinic, hair transplants are performed in surgical rooms that are handled according to international guidelines to ensure a smooth recovery free of obstacles and infections.
Common permanent side effects
1- permanent loss of grafts in the donor area
The donor area is the region from which hair loss resistant follicular units are extracted for transplantation. The grafts removed from the donor area are not renewable making donor hair a finite source of grafts.
Patients should have a dense donor region to remain the area looks natural after graft extraction. Patients need to have a sufficient number of donor hair follicles to cover the extension of the balding scalp while not creating any noticeable change on the donor site.
2- 70% graft survival rate
The transplantation process is generally traumatic towards the hair follicles to some extent. The harsh environments due to lack of direct blood supply in the new regions, although it is a short period that takes four days, depletes 30% of the transplanted grafts.
The OxyCure treatment tackles this problem by supplying the body with 100% pure oxygen under hyperbaric conditions. This allows plasma to take up monumental amounts of oxygen and carry them to the grafts until they form a direct connection with a blood supply in the vicinity.
How to minimize side effects of hair transplant?
- Choose to operate at accredited hospitals where the procedure is performed in surgical theaters.
- Follow the aftercare instructions provided by your surgeon to eliminate any complications.
- Consider the OxyCure treatment to preserve up to 99% of the grafts instead of the predicted 70% survival rate.
Contact the Vera Clinic
Contact the Vera Clinic for more information or to book a consultation for a hair transplant in Turkey.