Getting hair restoration surgery is a big decision. So what happens if you don’t get the results you want from a single hair transplant? Should you get a second hair transplant procedure, or is it better to accept and embrace your hair loss?
In most cases, it’s safe and possible to get a second hair transplant to improve your hair density. In fact, more than a quarter of hair transplant patients need two hair transplants to get the look they want [1].
So should you get a second hair transplant and if so, when’s the best time to get one?
There are four main reasons why you might want to seek a second hair transplant surgery:
All these are valid reasons to seek another hair transplant. In most cases, a top-up transplant will give you the results you want. Just 3.3% of patients go on to need a third hair transplantation procedure [1].
Unfortunately for some, sometimes you won’t be eligible to have a second hair transplant. This is usually if your hair transplant surgeon has taken too many hair grafts in your first procedure (a process known as overharvesting). Taking too many grafts means there aren’t enough viable hair follicles left in your donor hair area to perform another hair transplant operation.
Follow-up hair transplant procedures are usually planned in advance in unique circumstances. For example, transplanting hair into scar tissue is often more successful if performed over multiple hair transplant sessions [2].
After your first hair transplant, you should wait 12 to 18 months to see your final results. You can then decide whether you want a follow-up hair transplant session.
If your first FUE or FUT procedure fails or goes wrong, you might need a second hair transplant fairly quickly after your first. If you have a good surgeon, schedule an appointment to discuss your results with them. They can assess your hair and help you decide on your next steps.
If your first hair transplant is successful, but your non-transplanted hair continues to fall out, you might need medication to slow your hair loss. Topical solutions like Minoxidil or tablets like Finasteride and Dutasteride can reduce hair loss, delaying or avoiding the need for second hair transplants.
You can use the Norwood Scale to assess the extent of your hair loss even after a hair transplant:
In theory, you can have as many hair transplants as you need until you deplete the safe donor area. So you might be able to have three or four hair transplants, especially if you have particularly dense hair.
Many celebrities have had multiple hair transplants to keep their hair looking thick and full. See some of the most famous celebrity hair transplants before and after their second procedure:
Learn more about Wayne Rooney’s hair transplant.
Learn more about Elon Musk’s hair transplant.
Rugby player Jonathan Joseph’s hair transplant
If you trust the hair transplant clinic that performed your first procedure, they should usually be your first port of call. They performed the hair transplant operation, so they’re best placed to know why your hair transplant hasn’t given you the results you were hoping for.
However, some hair transplant clinics have clear red flags that you may not have noticed until after your procedure, such as:
These can all contribute to a failed hair transplant. So if your clinic displays any of these red flags, it’s best to seek a second opinion from another clinic for your next procedure.
At the Wimpole Clinic, we have a 97-100% success rate. So we’re confident we can help you restore your hair — even if it’s the second time around. Read our hair transplant clinic reviews, then book a free consultation to find out how we can help and answer any burning questions you really want to ask before getting a hair transplant.
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