One can experience hair loss after undergoing a hair transplant, though such an event is rare. A hair transplant is an operative intervention where hair follicles are moved from a certain area of the scalp to a section experiencing hair thinning or baldness. The relocated hair should flourish similarly to how it did in its initial spot and remains generally unaffected by the person’s inherent pattern of hair loss.
Hair transplants require aftercare, but the process moves existing hair to bald areas. This is a natural process and will not stop effects like male pattern baldness, so evenly that your hair will fall out, and you may become bald in time.
However, there are a few factors that can contribute to balding after a hair transplant:
- Natural hair loss: Even after a hair transplant, an individual may continue to lose hair due to age or genetic factors. This could cause the transplanted hair to appear thinner over time.
- Poorly executed surgery: If the hair transplant is not performed correctly, the individual may lose some or all of the transplanted hair.
- Trauma to the scalp: Any injury or trauma to the scalp can cause hair loss, including hair transplants.
- Shock loss: Shock loss is a temporary condition where some of the original hair falls out after the transplant. In most cases, the hair will regrow within several months after the procedure.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as blood thinners, can increase the risk of bleeding and may cause hair loss after a transplant.
It’s important to understand that hair transplant is a long-term commitment and it’s important to maintain healthy hair care habits and to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon for the procedure. Also, have realistic expectations about the results, and to understand that a hair transplant is not a one-time solution, but rather a long-term commitment to maintain the results.
Can You Still Lose Your Hair After A Transplant?
The answer is yes. If you are predisposed to hair loss, then there is a good chance you will lose your hair again. However, it may take many years and will depend on your age.
Does hair transplant stop balding? According to some doctors, hair transplant is the wrong terminology to use, and it is more like hair regeneration.
Having new follicles implanted into a bald head or receding hairline is a standard procedure, and one question often asked is why hair transplants fall out?
After a few months of your hair transplant, it is perfectly normal to experience some hair loss, known as hair transplant shock or surgical shock.
You need to appreciate the extent of hair transplant surgery.
Thousands of tiny incisions are made in the scalp, and the hair follicles are transplanted individually.
This causes shock to the scalp, and inevitably, your immune system rejects some hair follicles.
Male Pattern Baldness
The term male pattern baldness is a common term to describe how men lose their hair in particular areas of their heads.
The term is somewhat misleading as male pattern baldness can apply to females.
Male pattern baldness is something that most folks experience and follows a specific pattern in hair loss.
Early Stages Of hair Loss
As we age, even from a relatively young age, we can notice a thinning of the hair around the temples, and eventually, we notice a receding hairline.
As individuals, the progression of hair loss varies dramatically. Some of us experience a slow decline in hair growth over many decades and may keep the semblance of a decent hairline into our old age.
Whereas others, men and women, can experience rapid thinning of the hair and a decreasing hairline every month.
Further stages of male pattern baldness may see the development of a widow’s peak.
Do You Have To Go Bald For A Hair Transplant?
No, not. During male pattern baldness, you may develop a rapidly decreasing hairline. At this point, it may be a great idea to investigate a hair transplant to make your hairline look whole again.
The process of a hair transplant or regeneration is an outpatient procedure and can usually be completed within a few hours.
It involves making small incisions in your scalp and placing hair follicles in the incisions, A bit like gardening but with more precision and infection control.
Once the hair transplant has been completed, it will take up to six months to heal and for all of the redness and scarring to dissipate.
You will lose some of the follicles. The procedure is not 100% guaranteed but by and large, you can expect a satisfactory to spectacular outcome.
Will A Hair Transplant Last forever?
Hair transplants are a permanent solution for hair loss, but the results may not last forever. The transplanted hair will grow just as it would in its original location, but there are a few factors that can affect the longevity of the results:
Natural hair loss: Even after a hair transplant, the individual may continue to lose hair due to age or genetic factors. This could cause the transplanted hair to appear thinner over time.
Maintenance: Proper hair care and maintenance are essential to ensure the longevity of the results. This includes avoiding harsh chemicals and heat styling, as well as maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Hair growth cycles: Hair goes through growth cycles, and it is possible that some of the transplanted hair may fall out after a few months and then regrow, but it is usually not noticeable.
Surgery technique: The quality and longevity of the results will depend on the skill and experience of the surgeon. It’s important to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon for the procedure.
Patient’s expectations: It’s important for patients to have realistic expectations about the procedure, and to understand that a hair transplant is not a one-time solution, but rather a long-term commitment to maintain the results.
Overall, hair transplants are considered a permanent solution for hair loss, but the results may not last forever. It’s important to maintain healthy hair care habits and to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon for the procedure.
When Does Your Hair Transplant Drop Out?
Once the hair transplant is established, there is no real reason for your hair to drop out. Of course, hormone levels change with our ageing bodies over the years, and we can see the transplants drop out.
Your hair transplant needs the same nutrients as your normal hair growth, and without these nutrients, the longevity of the transplanted hair will be in question.
In the normal course of hair growth on a day to day basis, it is normal for 50 to 100 hair follicles to die daily and be replaced.
Who Can Get A Hair Transplant?
If you have experienced hair loss at an alarming rate, say at the front of the scalp or around your crown, you are likely a suitable candidate for a hair transplant.
If you are not taking medication that has enhanced your hair loss or has any physiological problems, then the doctor will make a full assessment before proceeding.
In most cases, you will be accepted, and you can go ahead with the procedure.
The Significance of Diet and Hair
You have heard the saying you are what you eat, and this saying is usually associated with your waistline. However, the truth is diet plays an enormous role when it comes to hair health.
A fast-food diet will see your hair becoming depleted over the years, with the possibility of diminished regrowth year on year. We continue with our bad diet.
We all require a diet high in protein and essential vitamins to keep our hair in tip-top condition. We have been misled by companies manufacturing shampoos and conditioners that this is all we need for a healthy head of hair.
When the opposite is true, without adequate protein in our diets, our hair will fall out.
Vitamins are essential for an uninterrupted blood supply to the scalp, and when combined with easily absorbed proteins, your hair follicles develop a protective sheet and cell structure.
Without a good diet, you may as well forget about keeping your hair indefinitely.
Alopecia And Hair Transplants
Can a hair transplant cause Alopecia? The answer is an emphatic no.
Alopecia is a complex subject, and the remedies for this autoimmune disease are complicated, and nothing stands alone as a complete cure.
Alopecia is when your body’s immune system starts to attack your hair follicles, it can be so severe you lose hair in clumps.
The only real solution to Alopecia has been modifying your diet, taking medication, and hoping for the best.
Alopecia is not a stable condition, and there is some hope that hair transplants can replace the lost hairs without any recurrence of the condition.
You need to consult with a specialist doctor regarding your alopecia and check if you are a suitable candidate and not throwing your money away.
Back to the question, can hair transplants cause alopecia? When you embark on your journey for a hair transplant procedure, you will be evaluated as to your suitability.
If the doctor thinks there is no hope, he will suggest other alternatives to consider.
Where Do Implanted Hair Follicles Come From?
A great question to ask. There is no need to worry about the hair follicles. They are from your head and harvested from an area of your head with an abundant healthy hair supply.
You will not notice they have been harvested, or will you have a bald patch.
Once transplanted, your harvested hair follicles will settle nicely if the procedure is done by an experienced professional.
When Will I See The Best Results?
It takes about three months to see your harvested hair follicles sprouting and looking like your natural hair.
This may seem a long time, but when you consider the procedure of puncturing your scalp and placing each hair follicle individually and then waiting for the healing process, it’s not too long to wait for good results.
You will experience some hair loss during this period. This is normal, so don’t panic.
Should I go bald or get a hair transplant
The decision to go bald or get a hair transplant is a personal one and can depend on several factors. Some people choose to go bald because they feel that it’s more natural and they don’t want to spend the time and money on a hair transplant. Others may choose to get a hair transplant because they want to restore their hair and improve their appearance.
Here are a few things to consider when making your decision:
- Your personal preferences: Ultimately, you should choose the option that you feel most comfortable with.
- Your age and hair loss stage: Hair transplants are usually recommended for people who are in the early stages of hair loss, as the procedure is more effective when there is still enough hair to transplant.
- The cost: Hair transplants can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance. Be sure to consider the cost of the procedure and whether it’s financially feasible for you.
- The risks: As with any medical procedure, there are risks associated with hair transplants. Be sure to discuss the risks with your surgeon and weigh them against the potential benefits.
- The expectations: It’s important to have realistic expectations about the results of a hair transplant. The procedure can restore hair, but it may not be able to completely restore a full head of hair.
Ultimately, the decision to go bald or get a hair transplant is a personal one and should be based on your own preferences and circumstances. It’s important to consult with a hair specialist or trichologist to understand the options and the potential outcomes.