Can Hair Transplant Cause Cancer?

John M

Hi, I'm John. About age 30 my hair started receding. After trying lots of products I eventually decided on a hair transplant. And now I have my hair back.

Are you concerned about the side effects of a hair transplant? Is one of them the worry of surgery and the risk of cancer? Check out our answer below along with other risks that could be a factor.

Hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves moving hair from one part of the scalp to another. It is considered safe and effective. However, it is not known to cause cancer. Some people may experience side effects, such as infection or bleeding, but cancer is not one of them.

What are the risks of a hair transplant?

The list is wide and varied, but thankfully cancer is not on the list. There are many risks with hair transplants. It’s like any other invasive surgery or cosmetic surgery; there is always a risk associated.

However, unlike other surgical procedures, the risks with hair transplants are exhaustive, and it’s intrinsic with such an extensive procedure.

Hair transplant surgery can last longer than a heart transplant! Thousands of individuals’ hair follicles are meticulously harvested from the donor site and then grafted through micro incisions on the scalp.

It takes hours of concentration from the transplant team while keeping the patient comfortable with local anaesthetics.

Risks Include

Excessive bleeding after surgery

Your head has an enormous blood supply, and depending on the extent of hair grafts, you could bleed excessively. If this continues for a day, you may need additional stitching and compression bandages to stem the bleeding.

Scarring

Scarring is familiar with some methods of hair transplants, and until your hair regrowth occurs can be unsightly. It mainly occurs with FUT follicular unit extraction.

The surgeon removes a strip of the scalp containing the hair follicles and is stitched into place. Some surgeons still use this procedure for speed, and other procedures cause less bleeding.

Infection

Is a significant concern after a hair transplant. The operating theatre may be sterile, but infections can set in quickly once you are out of there.

Any medical procedure risks infection, and the scalp can be more prone as it is generally open to the elements.

If you notice any strange smells or anything abnormal such as a high temperature or hotness of the scalp, head back to your surgeon.

Swelling

It’s hardly surprising you will experience some amount of swelling after surgery, given the number of incisions you have on your scalp. However, if you experience swelling moving down to the face and eyes, this is not normal.

Bruising

It’s normal to have bruising, but if it is excessive moving onto your nose and black eyes, you need to consult your surgeon again.

Numbness

You may experience numbness in your scalp for several months after surgery. This can be considered normal but a distressing side effect of hair transplant surgery.

Does hair transplant cause any disease?

Apart from the extensive list of side effects and risks from hair transplant surgery, there is no connection between hair transplants and diseases.

This assumes you will take good care of your newly transplanted hair follicles and follow the post-operative protocols.

If you do not follow the post-operative protocols and infections set into the wounds, many blood-related disorders could become apparent, like septicemia.

Septicemia or sepsis is the most extreme manifestation of an infection and can be life-threatening. Blood poisoning needs immediate treatment.

However, if you follow the post-operative protocols, the chances of any infections are mitigated.

Is hair transplant fatal?

There was a reported instance of the death of an Indian student after a botched hair transplant surgery in Chennai.

After the post mortem, it was found that the death had occurred due to an allergic reaction to the anaesthesia being used.

Can this be blamed on the hair transplant procedure? The surgical procedure would have been undoubtedly successful in such a young male,

However, it seems unclear if the patient was under general anaesthesia or was allergic to the local anaesthetic being used.

This unfortunate event happened way back in 2012, his death was during hair transplant surgery, but it’s reasonable to think the procedure did not have any direct influence on the death.

You have to assume hair transplants are not fatal despite being an invasive procedure.

A clear lesson comes from this incident, and it’s this. Check and research the facility you are considering for your hair transplant surgery. It’s ok to ask for references and the BIo of the surgeon performing your hair transplant surgery.

If you feel the hair transplant clinic is not being transparent, then walk away. There is a wide choice of professional clinics that are fighting for your business.

Are there any long term side effects of hair transplant?

Yes, you may experience some scarring that will remain with you for the rest of your life. Choose a surgery where scarring is minimal. If you have a predisposition to hair loss, you could lose your hair in the future and be left with scars on your scalp.

Scalp Laxity

You will experience this for up to 8 months, and if unlucky, it could be permanent. Scalp laxity is the lack of movement in the scalp when under tension.

If at the front of the scalp, it can be permanent and may affect your eyebrow movement, giving an expressionless feature around the eyes.

Nerve damage

A worrisome side effect is nerve damage and the lack of sensation in the scalp. Nerves can be severed and dislodged. Nerves do regrow at a prolonged rate of 1 mm every year so that recovery can take time.

In some cases, nerve damage is permanent, and there is little you can do about it. You signed away your rights for recourse when you entered into the hair transplant contract.

Folliculitis

The medical term for ingrown hairs is quite common and happens in hair transplants when the hair is not strong enough to break the skin.

It’s irritating but no big deal.

Hair transplants and cancer

The good news is you do not have to worry about cancer from a hair transplant, and we have covered a few other considerations.

Top 5 Reasons to go abroad for a Hair Transplant

1. Save at least 60% on the cost

A hair transplant in Europe is at least 60% cheaper than in the UK. And most packages are all inclusive, including your accommodation and airport transfers.

2. Europe has some of the most experienced surgeons in the world

Europe has more clinics, which have been established and running for much longer than clinics in the UK. The price is also lower, making it more accessible for people.

Surgeons in Europe will have carried out hundreds, if not thousands more procedures than UK based surgeons. Because of this some UK clinics will bring in surgeons from Europe to carry out your procedure.

3. Hair restoration clinics in Europe are state or the art

Many facilities in Europe are dedicated hair restoration clinics. They only perform that type of treatment. As such all equipment, facilities, techniques and staff are specialists in hair restoration.

Hair restoration is only now becoming more popular in the UK, so many UK clinics are general cosmetic facilities that carry out various procedures.

4. Get even more value by making your transplant into a holiday

Europe is such a popular holiday destination for many reasons, the culture, history, sights, cuisine, shopping, great weather, your money goes further, it’s widely English speaking, and it’s just 2 or 3 hours away by plane.

The list goes on! So why not travel a few days earlier, grab a low cost Airbnb or hotel, take a friend or partner and enjoy the city for a few days before your transplant.

5. Hassle free process

It’s so easy to get an assessment and price. Contact the clinic, arrange an initial consultation in the UK with your surgeon, or do an online consultation by sending a few pictures and answering some basic questions.

Once you’re happy, pick a date and you’re done! The clinic will send you all the paperwork and itinerary so you know exactly what’s happening. You don’t pay until you go for treatment.

You just hop on the plane. A transfer car will meet you as you get off the plane and take you to the clinic. It’s such an easy process. Easy!

Top 5 Hair Transplant Tips

1. Know your post-op timeline – The key dates!

You need to take the upmost care in the first 7 days
You can leave the house after 7 days, but I advise you take at least 2 weeks off work.
You won’t be able to wear a hat or exercise for up to 4 weeks after.
Around 2 – 4 weeks your new hair will fall out, you’ll look a little red and sore – similar to sunburn.
Around 4 months your new hair starts growing and looking good.
By 6 months you can’t tell you’ve had a transplant.

You can get a haircut after the first month, or you can keep it short yourself with clippers until it starts to grow back.

2. Pick the right time to schedule your treatment

Good clinics will be busy, so you may have to wait 2 months to get an appointment – this is a good thing. So knowing that and knowing your post-op timeline (above) means you can plan the perfect time around your social or work calendar.

If you have important social events coming up, particularly if you know you’ll be photographed then you may plan your transplant 6 months in advance, or wait until your calendar is free.

3. Set your expectations

If your hair has receded at the front you’ll want the clinic to draw an expected hairline on your head or on pictures of you as soon as possible. They’ll then also talk about the number of grafts or hairs you’ll need and how thick the result will look.

The sooner you can establish this, the sooner you’ll know exactly what to expect. A good clinic will also take into consideration a natural looking hair line for your age and your face and head shape. Have an honest conversation and be open to their expert feedback.

4. Knowing what the journey home looks like

There’s no way around it, you’ll have to go out in public to travel home. The worst part is sitting at the airport for 2 hours or so whilst you wait for your plane.

I found it was best to embrace it. People are nice for the most part and won’t stare, and if one or two do who cares – you will never see those people again! You may even be at the airport with other transplant patients, I wasn’t the only one!

Take a travel pillow and have someone pick you up if possible, so you can exit swiftly and get back home as soon as possible. It’s natural to be self-conscious, but it’s over fast and well worth it.

Tip! Just take carry-on luggage to keep your check-in and wait time down.

5. Choosing the right clinic

Pick somewhere you can travel to and from easily
Check their reviews online, not just on their site!
Do they have a good quality website and professional looking emails?
Can you see actual case studies of previous patients online?
Do they have an address? Can you see it on Google street view?
Can you meet your surgeon for a consultation beforehand?
Do you know someone who’s been there before – first hand opinion is amazing!

John M

Hi, I'm John. About age 30 my hair started receding. After trying lots of products I eventually decided on a hair transplant. And now I have my hair back.

A Simple Way To Keep Hair Healthy And Thick

Do you want to keep your hair without surgery? I get it … surgery can be expensive and frightening. Although it’s the most effective solution when things go bad and it helped me, you still experience some discomfort and have to take some time off from work.