Hair transplants are the most popular and successful method for restoring permanent hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia. That’s why more than 2.2 million patients around the world had a hair transplant in 2021 [1].
Unlike other types of transplant surgery, hair restoration surgery is minimally invasive. Hair transplantation surgery is usually classed as a low-risk medical procedure as long as medical protocols are followed. In fact, with the latest technological advances in this sector, patients can now enjoy faster hair transplant recovery times than ever before. The Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant has increased in popularity in recent years because it reduces procedural risks and speeds up recovery times.
While modern hair restoration procedures like FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) and FUE hair transplants are usually safe and successful, there are still certain side effects of hair transplant surgery that you should know about. In this article, you’ll learn:
If you’re considering hair transplantation surgery as a possible solution to restore hair, you’ll want to know as much as possible about what to expect from the experience. That includes any risks and side effects.
The most common side effects of hair transplants are:
A hair transplant involves a number of small incisions in the skin of the scalp. These tiny cuts in the scalp skin will be subject to natural repair and body healing processes, which include a degree of redness and swelling, scabbing, and in some cases, bruising. Both the swelling and redness should disappear within a week of the transplant. Some heal faster and others a little slower.
The type of side effects can also depend on which type of hair transplant procedure you choose. With the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) method (which involves the surgical removal of a strip of scalp from the back of the head) numbness and scarring are more likely.
Most hair transplant side effects are temporary. They’ll fade as your wounds heal. However, numbness may last for a number of months after the surgery, so it’s important to be aware of this beforehand.
The hair transplant side effects listed above affect most hair transplant patients. It’s a natural result of cosmetic surgery. However, you also need to be aware of additional risks and complications that can occur [2]:
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. Find out more about hair transplant surgery safety.
You don’t need to spend tens of thousands of pounds to get treatment from the UK’s best hair transplant surgeons. Find out how much you should be spending on your transplant in our hair transplant cost analysis.
There are also things you can do before and after your hair restoration surgery to ensure a swift, smooth recovery. These include:
Reputable clinics include a comprehensive aftercare programme to help you recover quickly and have a successful procedure. In these cases, return visits to the clinic are usually only needed at 6-monthly intervals after the initial treatment period.
If any unexpected or worrying hair transplant side effects develop in the weeks and months after your surgery, you must book an appointment with the clinic. An expert will assess your recovery to ensure all is well.
Reputable clinics will also review and wash your scalp soon after your surgery. This is a good reason to avoid going abroad for a hair transplant. If you do choose to have a hair transplant in Turkey or elsewhere abroad, it’s much more difficult to address any complications.
Hair transplant surgeries that are carried out in a sanitary environment by experienced medical professionals will have a relatively quick and easy recovery time. After a few days, side effects such as pain and swelling will have subsided by then.
Hair transplant side effects such as scabbing and the itching associated with it, will stick around for about 7-10 days post-surgery. Most patients who had an FUE hair transplant will find that they are back to feeling like their old selves 5-7 days after their hair transplant surgery. Individuals who have undergone a FUT hair transplant will normally take 7-14 days to recover.
It should be noted that although patients will have recovered from their surgery within a few weeks, individuals will not have noticeable hair growth for months afterward. Learn more about what to expect in the hair transplant recovery timeline.
It should be noted that infection is a rare hair transplant side effect especially if you have undergone surgery in a sanitary environment at a reputable clinic. Nevertheless, you should seek medical attention if you are experiencing the following symptoms as they could be a sign of infection:
Although there can be minor side effects with hair transplant surgery (much like any medical procedure), it’s important to remember that complications are rare.
In most cases, the whole experience is mostly painless. Good clinics will always offer a high level of aftercare, so any issues will be resolved in your allocated check-up appointments or any extra visits that are required.
The best way to allay any concerns you may have is to book a free consultation with a reputable hair transplant clinic. We’re always happy to discuss the entire procedure and recovery process.
Whether you’re concerned about dealing with side effects when you go back to work after a hair transplant, or you need to repair a hair transplant that’s gone wrong, we can help.
Book your free consultation at the Wimpole Clinic.
Simply fill in your details in the form below and we'll get in touch with you shortly.
Δ
