Hair transplants can occasionally fail due to several factors, including the surgeon's expertise, post-operative care, and the patient's health. 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, Swelling, and Redness
Some scarring and redness are normal after a hair transplant, but if these symptoms are excessive or last too long, it could mean something went wrong. This might also increase the risk of infection, indicating that the procedure wasn't done correctly.
A: The growth part of the follicle is 3-4mm into the scalp. Grafts can be dislodged the first 10 days, so you need to be careful not to scrub your scalp during this period. After that, the grafts are permanent. At 2-3 weeks they can't be dislodged, even by vigorous scrubbing.
What does a bad hair transplant look like? Bad transplants can be those with unnatural hairline shapes or heights. Often, the grafts that are placed are done in an unnatural way. The donor area can also be harmed by scarring or overharvesting and can look very sparse.
Hair Transplant Clinic Red Flags to Avoid
No clear information about the doctor performing the surgery. Clinics highlighting staff or results but not the doctor's experience. Doctor listed in name only, with little involvement in procedures. Clinics that let unlicensed technicians perform the procedure.
What is considered a bad hair transplant? A hair transplant is considered bad if the results are not satisfactory or do not meet the expectations of the patient. This can include an unnatural hairline, patchy or irregular hair growth, an uneven hairline, and a visible scar.
Many patients see really good results around 6 months after their procedure. David Bernard's after picture below was taken 6 months after his July 2018 hair transplant. However, there is still a lot of growth ahead of you. In fact, at 6 months the most noticeable growth and thickening of the transplanted hair begins.
As a result, this means that further follicles need to be extracted to achieve a complete result. A hair transplant repair surgery can be performed to fix unsatisfactory results and give you a more natural head of hair.
If patients undergo surgery too early, they may experience hair thinning after the transplant because the hair is harvested from a part of the scalp that is still going to fall out. Patients need to understand how far their hairline will recede and the overall extent of their balding before committing to surgery.
In other cases, too much hair is transplanted or at the wrong angle, creating an unnatural result. This often results in regret as a result. A good consultation from a knowledgeable doctor with a lot of experience can prevent this kind of unpleasant experience.
During the first two weeks, these grafts are not secure and are susceptible to damage. Rubbing the area of newly transplanted hair could lead to grafts becoming dislodged. Dislodged hair follicles may not grow, and your final results may not be what you hoped for.
10 days is the magic number
After an FUE hair transplant, it is recommended that the patient wait at least 7 to 10 days before disturbing the area of the transplanted grafts. It typically takes 10 days for the transplanted grafts to become firmly planted in their new home.
Patients are advised to gently massage their recipient area after 9–10 days following a hair transplant to remove any scabs or flakes that have formed around the newly implanted hair follicles, as these can impede the growth of underlying follicles.
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.
One of the most common complaints is an uneven hairline after a hair transplant, which can result from poor planning, inexperienced surgeons, or improper graft placement. Poor Planning: If the hairline is not designed carefully before the procedure, it can lead to an unnatural appearance.
It is common for hair to appear thin 8 months post-transplant. Full growth usually takes 12-18 months, so patience is vital. What should I do if my hair is still thin after 8 months? Consult a specialist to assess progress and rule out any underlying issues.
The best age patients should be considering hair transplant surgery is when they are between 30-45. The most common age patients have surgery tends to be when they have turned 30 or older.
Your hair may still be thin after your hair transplant for several reasons. The most common include a poor donor area, inadequate graft survival, poor technique, or insufficient coverage. The transplanted hairs may take some time to fill in, as they usually take a few months to become visible.
Wear a loose-fitting hat
Whether you are a laid-back, baseball cap kind of guy, a hip beanie bro or prefer a stylish Panama, headwear can cover up any traces of a hair transplant. They can comfortably obscure any traces of shock loss, as well as any donor area scarring. They can also complete your overall style.
The chances of a hair transplant failing are around 43%, according to an ISHRS study. This study, however, analyses failure based on the patient's satisfaction and whether hair transplant patients get their expected results.
Poor Scalp Health
Similarly, alopecia areata, which causes patchy hair loss, must also be resolved as it can unpredictably affect both existing and transplanted hair follicles. Additionally, scarred areas from conditions like cicatricial alopecia may not support new hair growth, making transplantation ineffective.
Can you sue for a failed hair transplant? You can sue the clinic you've had your hair transplant in if you believe and can prove that there was negligence and medical malpractice on the clinic's or physician's end.
By the 10-year mark, transplanted hairs remain while some surrounding non-transplanted hairs might thin, potentially affecting overall look and density.
The donor area does not grow back. However, when the extraction of the grafts is properly performed, the removal of part of the hair is completely imperceptible. Therefore, it is very important to use an experienced surgeon and to remove the donor area in a well-thought-out manner.
Hair transplant surgery can range from $3,000 to more than $15,000. The average cost is $6,000 to $12,000. Hair restoration surgery can be successful for men and women. Your costs will vary based on the type of procedure, where you have the treatment, your surgeon's fees, and other factors.