How common is necrosis after hair transplant?

Author: Prof. Norma Stanton  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Scalp necrosis is always considered a potential complication of hair transplantation, but has a very low incidence. The outcome after scalp necrosis can be devastating. The commonly involved area was the center of the scalp.

How to avoid necrosis after hair transplant?

In order to prevent development of recipient area necrosis following a hair transplant procedure, graft insertion ideally should occur 24 hours following dense slitting.

How often do hair transplants fail?

The general success rate of hair transplants is 95 – 98%, especially when using the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique. Top-rated hair transplant surgeons usually have a close to 100% success rate.

What does scalp necrosis look like?

Scalp necrosis is uncommon in malnourished children, yet temporal catheterization is frequently observed in pediatric hospital settings. The condition is characterized by a black, hard, and unresponsive scalp. Etiologies such as temporal arteritis, burns, and Takayasu's disease, have been proposed.

How likely is infection after hair transplant?

The incidence of low and serious infections is rare (<1%), which may be due to poor hygiene, excessive crust formation, or a preexisting medical risk factor. [4] A high-tension closure at the donor site leading to circulatory compromise and pronounced crust formation can increase the risk of infection.

What is Necrosis? FAQ's with Steven Gabel, MD

How to avoid hair transplant infection?

Tips for Avoiding Infection

Do not pick at or remove scabs along the donor area. Keep the scalp sanitary by following post-op care instructions. Attend follow-up visits with the hair transplant surgeon as scheduled. Avoid smoking, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages during recovery.

When is the risk for infection the greatest after transplant?

Within the first 30 days after transplantation, the patient is at greatest risk for healthcare-associated infections, often due to antibiotic-resistant organisms and often polymicrobial in etiology.

How quickly does necrosis start?

Symptoms of necrotising fasciitis can develop quickly within hours or over a few days. At first you may have: intense pain or loss of feeling near to a cut or wound – the pain may seem much worse than you would usually expect from a cut or wound. swelling of the skin around the affected area.

How do you know if you have scalp necrosis after hair transplant?

The signs of necrosis after a hair transplant can include:
  • Skin Discoloration: One of the earliest signs of necrosis is a change in skin color. ...
  • Swelling and Redness: ...
  • Pain: ...
  • Formation of Ulcers or Blisters: ...
  • Foul Odor: ...
  • Graft Loss:

What does early stage necrosis look like?

The skin may look pale at first but quickly becomes red or bronze and warm to the touch and swollen. Pain is intense. Later, the skin turns violet, often with the development of large fluid-filled blisters (bullae). The fluid from these blisters is brown, watery, and sometimes foul smelling.

Why are hair transplants not worth it?

Hair transplant procedures aren't a one and done thing, since hair loss will continue even after the transplant. So if you feel like you may just give up and shave your head, then a hair transplant could be a bad idea. Both methods of hair transplant procedures, FUT and FUE, will leave scarring on your scalp.

What is the best age for a hair transplant?

Generally as patients approach the age of 30 their hair loss can slow and be more predictable and that is the age that we recommend hair transplant surgery be considered.

What are the worst results of a hair transplant?

These include:
  • Excessive scarring: this is usually caused by below-standard surgical tools or an incorrect technique performed by an inexperienced surgeon.
  • Unnatural direction of hair growth: identified by transplanted hair growing in the wrong direction, this is often caused by poor surgeon technique.

What kills hair grafts?

The factors affecting graft survival are discussed under the following headings:
  • Donor scalp issues.
  • Operation day factors, which include physical damage to the grafts-dehydration, transection, blunt trauma, ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and storage solutions.

When does necrosis form after a hair transplant?

Necrosis will begin right away in the postoperative period if it results from issues with the surgical technique. Cell death will take place about a week after surgery when the wounds are still raw if the necrosis is caused by poor blood flow brought on by smoking or drinking.

What stops necrosis?

To help prevent necrosis from this condition, it's important for clinicians to help patients lower their cholesterol and refrain from smoking. Wollheim said the foundation of treatment of necrotic tissue is to remove it by debridement techniques such as: Autolytic. Enzymatic.

What do failed hair grafts look like?

Signs of failure include poor hair growth, resulting in sparse or patchy areas, and an unnatural-looking hairline, which may appear too straight or asymmetrical. Excessive scarring, infections, and prolonged inflammation are other indicators of a failed transplant.

How long does it take for your head to look normal after hair transplant?

Your new hair growth may be rough and uneven at first, but you will soon be growing back the youthful head of hair you deserve. Most patients reach full natural hair growth by around 10 months after their procedure. Please note that every patient's results and recovery times are different.

Can you get sepsis from a hair transplant?

Conclusion: Hair transplantation is associated with minimal systemic complications, but in rare cases, sepsis is possible and can result in intraocular seeding causing endophthalmitis.

How long after surgery can necrosis occur?

In some cases, necrosis may become apparent shortly after surgery, within the first few days or weeks, due to immediate complications such as compromised blood supply or surgical trauma.

Would I know if I had necrosis?

Necrosis has been categorized into different types based on distinct features, including appearance. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and fever, along with notable skin issues. Treatment typically includes surgery, along with medications and possible oxygen therapy.

What is the hardest transplant to recover from?

“A lung transplant is second only to an intestinal transplant for having some of the most complicated outcomes,” says Jason Turowski, MD, Brian's pulmonologist.

How to avoid infection after transplant?

How to Protect Yourself from Infection After Transplant Surgery
  1. Wash your hands with soap and water often to remove bacteria and viruses; keep your hands away from your face and mouth. ...
  2. When you cough or sneeze, use tissues, dispose of them immediately, and wash your hands.

How do you know if your transplant is failing?

If you think you're experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your transplant team immediately: Fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Flu-like symptoms like chills, body aches, headache or nausea. New pain or tenderness around your kidney area (the transplant site).

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