Hair transplants are very low risk procedures, with minor complication rates of just 0.1% [1]. That means just 1 in 1,000 patients is likely to experience complications after FUT or FUE surgery.
But hair transplants do have side effects which are much more common, and affect the majority of patients in some way. From bleeding to swelling, you’ll find out all about common hair transplant side effects here.
Plus, learn about less common complications that may need treatment — see all the signs and symptoms you should be aware of (and what to do if you spot them) below.
Almost all hair transplant patients will experience some of the following side effects as part of their hair transplant recovery:
Patient advisor Sophie discusses some of the most common post-operative symptoms of a hair transplant.
Learn more about the typical discomfort levels in the first few days after a hair transplant from Dr Peter.
Discover how to minimise the risks associated with hair transplantation from our patient advisor Adam.
How common is it? Very common (experienced by most patients)
How long does it last? 24-48 hours in most cases, but can last longer
Tingling and numbness is very common in the immediate aftermath of a hair transplant due to the lingering effects of the local anaesthetic. Hair transplants are carried out under local anaesthetic so you’re awake during the procedure, but you won’t feel anything beyond some slight tugging.
As the anaesthetic wears off, the sensation returns slowly. This can feel like mild tingling while some numbness persists. This doesn’t usually last longer than a couple of days, though some patients report lingering numbness that goes away on its own after 2-3 weeks [1].
How common is it? Common (experienced by many patients)
How long does it last? 24 hours
Your scalp may bleed or weep for a day or so after your procedure. If you have a dressing on the area, you may see patches of blood or fluid through the hair transplant bandage. Use an Inco sheet to protect your pillow from oozing or bleeding overnight.
Deal with any bleeding by taking some clean gauze and applying pressure to the area for 15-20 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t subside, let the clinic know so they can advise you on what to do next.
Your scalp may also be bruised for a few days after your procedure due to bleeding under the skin. Bruising isn’t usually a cause for concern, but speak to the clinic if you’re worried.
How long does it last? 2-3 days
Some pain after a hair transplant is very normal. For most patients, this is tolerable and easy to manage with paracetamol. (You should avoid taking aspirin and ibuprofen within the first few days as they can thin your blood, causing unnecessary bleeding).
Co-codamol may be prescribed if you’re struggling with the pain post-operatively, but most patients find that paracetamol eases the discomfort.
Itchiness is another common hair transplant side effect. It’s really important that you don’t scratch the area as this can dislodge your grafts. Use over-the-counter antihistamines to alleviate any itching after your hair transplant.
How long does it last? 3-5 days
Swelling after a hair transplant can be alarming, but it’s a very normal side effect. Swelling is caused by the build-up of fluids injected into the scalp during your procedure. Gravity makes the fluids sink down into the face, causing swelling around the eyes, cheeks, and jaw.
You’ll be given steroid tablets to take to minimise swelling. Take these as prescribed and any swelling should go down within 3-5 days [2].
How common is it? Very common (experienced by all patients)
How long does it last? Up to 10 days
Although they can look a bit unsightly, scabs are a sign that your hair transplant is healing. Spraying your scalp regularly with saline solution helps multiple small scabs form across your scalp. These are much easier to deal with than large hair transplant scabs, so spray your scalp liberally.
Make sure to follow your aftercare instructions to a T. This will ensure your scabs form and fall off within just 10 days, so you can get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible.
How long does it last? 10-14 days
Hair transplant redness can linger even after the scabs and swelling have disappeared. This is very normal — your blood vessels are working hard to heal the skin around your newly implanted follicles, creating a visible red tinge to your skin. This is more obvious on white or pale skin.
Redness peaks around 2-3 days post-transplant, but can last up to 2 weeks. Unfortunately there’s not much you can do to reduce redness, bar wearing a tinted moisturiser or a green skin scream to balance your skin tone. Make sure to wait until all your scabs have gone before applying these products.
How common is it? Common (experienced by most patients)
How long does it last? 2-4 weeks
Shock hair loss is a typical hair transplant side effect, but it can be a bit alarming if you’re not expecting it. It normally starts a couple of weeks after your hair transplant — you’ll see hair from the transplanted grafts start to fall out, leaving your hair looking much like it did before your hair transplant. Fortunately, this is temporary, and your hair will start to regrow within a few weeks.
There’s not a lot you can do to avoid hair transplant shedding. But with patience and trust, you’ll start to see thicker, fuller hair in just a few months.
How common is it? Rare (very few patients experience it)
How long does it last? 24-48 hours
Hiccups are a mild but rare side effect of hair transplants. It’s thought that some patients develop hiccups due to irritation of the phrenic nerve during FUE or FUT surgery [1].
In most cases, hiccups subside by themselves after a few hours (or, in rare cases, a few days). If you’re struggling with hiccups, speak to your clinic. They may be able to prescribe medication to alleviate them.
Some hair transplant patients experience less common but more serious side effects. This includes infection, intense scarring, and nerve damage.
You’re much less likely to experience hair transplant complications if you have your procedure at a reputable clinic close to home. Let’s take a look at some of the more complicated side effects of a hair transplant.
How common is it? Rare (around 1 in 100 patients experience it [3])
How long does it last? Up to 6 months after surgery [4]
Folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicle, usually due to irritation from hair growth or following a bacterial infection. It’s characterised by:
Mild cases of folliculitis after a hair transplant often clear up on their own, but if you’re worried, it’s best to get checked at your clinic. They may recommend a warm compress, over-the-counter antihistamines, or prescription medication to manage your symptoms.
How common is it? Rare (less than 1 in 100 patients experience it [2])
How long does it last? Until treated
Hair transplant infections happen when bacteria enters the surgical site. This is normally due to non-sterile environments, unclean surgical instruments, or poor aftercare.
Symptoms of infection include:
Infections are usually easy to treat with antibiotics, but you need to act quickly to avoid worsening symptoms that can lead to more serious complications. Speak to your clinic if you’re concerned.
How common is it? Very rare (around 1 in 250 patients experience it [3])
How long does it last? Permanent
Scarring is a normal and expected part of hair transplant surgery, particularly if you opt for FUT. FUT results in a small thin scar where your donor area has been stitched up after graft extraction.
However, some people develop cosmetically unacceptable scars after hair transplant surgery. This usually happens if the surgeon doesn’t close the wound with precision, and is more common with less skilled or inexperienced surgeons.
You can also develop keloid scars. Keloid scars develop in response to skin trauma or injury when your body overproduces collagen. Keloids often feel itchy or painful as they’re growing.
If you’ve experienced keloid scarring in the past, you may develop it in response to a hair transplant surgery. However, not everyone who gets keloids has had them before, so it’s important to be aware of this risk before your surgery.
How common is it? Extremely rare (experienced by 3 in 10,000 patients [5])
How long does it last? 2-3 weeks with treatment
Necrosis happens when there’s a serious lack of blood flow to your skin tissue. Restricted blood flow can cause the tissue to turn black and eventually die. Necrosis is often caused by a serious untreated infection.
Necrosis is preventable. Choose a clinic with a clean surgical environment and excellent safety standards, and get any signs of infection looked at promptly.
If you do develop symptoms of necrosis (such as severe pain or black, leathery patches of skin on or near the hair transplant site), speak to your clinic urgently.
How long does it last? 6-8 weeks in mild cases; moderate or severe cases may last longer
Some patients experience mild nerve damage after a hair transplant. This is because tiny nerve endings around your follicles may be cut during the procedure. These normally grow back within a few months, and leave no lasting damage.
Serious nerve damage is a very rare complication of hair transplant surgery. It happens due to lack of precision and care when extracting grafts and making incisions in the recipient site. Nicking a nerve may result in nerve damage that manifests as medium- to long-term pain, numbness, or sensitivity on the scalp.
The best way to avoid nerve damage is to choose a seasoned surgical team with a history of excellent clinical practice.
How common is it? Uncommon (few patients experience it)
Cysts are small bumps under the skin that can occur after a hair transplant. They often start as small painless skin-coloured bumps that can become red, swollen, and painful.
Cysts aren’t a common side effect, and are normally treatable at home or at your clinic. At home, try applying a warm compress to the area to encourage drainage. At the clinic, your surgeon may surgically drain the cysts and/or apply a topical antibiotic to prevent infection.
There are several reasons why side effects occur after a hair transplant:
There are lots of ways to reduce the risk of hair transplant side effects. It starts with finding the best hair transplant surgeon at a reputable UK hair transplant clinic. Choosing a skilled surgeon reduces the chances of substantial scarring, and makes it far less likely that you’ll experience any complications.
Cost is also an indicator of quality when it comes to hair transplants. You don’t need to spend tens of thousands of pounds to get treatment from the UK’s best hair transplant surgeons. But it’s also important to avoid cut-rate clinics that may compromise your safety and results. Find out how much you should be spending on your transplant in our hair transplant cost analysis.
It’s usually best to avoid going abroad for a hair transplant if you can help it. That’s because if you have a hair transplant in Turkey or elsewhere abroad, it’s much more difficult to address any complications. If you’re considering a hair transplant overseas, avoid these Turkish hair transplant clinic red flags and find a safe, reputable clinic.
Here’s what you can do before and after your hair restoration surgery to ensure a swift, smooth recovery:
Reputable clinics include a comprehensive aftercare programme to help you recover quickly and get the best results. Attend your follow-up appointments and follow aftercare advice closely.
If any unexpected or worrying hair transplant side effects develop in the weeks and months after your surgery, book an appointment with the clinic. An expert will assess your grafts to check they’re healing well.
At the Wimpole Clinic, our team of talented surgeons has been performing hair transplants for more than 50 years. We’re trusted by thousands of patients every year thanks to our track record of safe, successful hair transplants. Patient safety and satisfaction are our top priorities.
To find out how we can help restore your hair, book a consultation at your nearest Wimpole Clinic location.
No. Hair transplants are considered a low-risk procedure when performed by an experienced surgical team at a reputable clinic. But risks increase if you choose a black market clinic and don’t take proper care of your grafts after surgery.
It depends on the side effect. Some subside within a few hours, while others can last several weeks. Refer to the specific side effects above to learn more.
If you’re worried about any of your symptoms, it’s best to check in with your clinic. But key symptoms to watch out for include:
Ask your clinic for an urgent appointment or, in serious cases, go to A&E for immediate medical attention.
Most hair transplant side effects are temporary and subside quickly. But some side effects may last longer:
These complications are rare, but may be treatable. Speak to your clinic about treatments they can offer.
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