Shock Loss After Hair Transplant

Many factors can lead to hair loss, including mental, physical, and hereditary factors. The sudden loss of non-transplanted hair in the aftermath of a hair transplant is called shock hair loss. The new hair that has been transplanted enters a resting period and sheds around the second to eighth week after the procedure when the shock hair loss tends to happen. There is no reason to be anxious about anything occurring during this period as it is an entirely normal and natural procedure. Very quickly, brand-new hairs in good health will start to grow in their place.

The resulting baldness is called shock loss when donor hair is shaved off or surgically removed during or following a hair restoration operation. It is not unique to any one operation, as evidenced by the fact that we have witnessed shock balding in the donor site of FUE surgeries.

On the other hand, it is more widespread in the recipient area. Nearly every instance of sudden hair loss is just temporary, and the affected individual’s hair will ultimately start to grow back. The majority of individuals report experiencing their first signs of hair regrowth between three and six months. It may take between 12 and 18 months for the hair to develop back to its usual thickness and texture.

Why Does Shock Hair Loss Occur with Scalp Surgery Or FFS?

While the precise cause of shock hair loss remains unknown, it is thought to be the consequence of several different events, including but not limited to surgical trauma,

injections during operations, disruption of blood supply, and the hair’s natural tendency to respond to alterations by going through the natural shedding and regeneration cycle. It is a fair precaution to select a specialist who has substantial experience, regardless of the source of the condition being treated.

What Is Temporary Shock Loss?

When discussing the phenomenon of shock loss, there are two distinct types: temporary and permanent. The most distinguishing feature of temporary hair loss is that after a while has passed, new hair will begin to grow in its place. This condition can occur for a variety of causes. In conclusion, temporary shock may also occur due to the destruction of important formations, such as hair roots, when taking grafts from the donor area and placing them in the receiving area. As a result, the medical team performing the procedure should have the necessary experience and accuracy while extracting the grafts. The following are the most common types of temporal hair losses:

Normal Transient Levels of Shock Loss

After hair has been transplanted during any hair surgery procedure into regions of the scalp that contain a small number of hairs that are thin or brittle, a temporary loss of hair may occur. The natural hair encircles the area where the grafts were implanted in the head scalp and may experience a shock after the grafts have been transplanted there, but this shock is brief and is normal during hair transplant surgeries.

Shock Hair Loss Following Use of The Strip Method

When doing a hair transplant procedure utilizing the strip method, a portion of the donor region, located on the back of the head scalp, will be stripped. The surgeon will prepare new grafts to be transplanted into the recipient area.

After extracting the strip, the wound needs to be stitched so the doctor can finish the procedure. As the wound is closed, this area may experience a shock, which will stop blood flow and cause a shock in the encircling area. The surrounding hair in the donor area will start to fall out; however, this hair loss is only temporary, and the hair will grow back once the wound has been treated. In addition, this kind of dropping can manifest itself as spots or spread across the entire strip region.

What Is Permanent Shock Loss?

A permanent trauma causes this form of shock to the grafts, which results in the grafts losing their ability to grow new hair in the future. In addition, this shock occurs when the implanted grafts have been damaged by the hormone “Dihydrotestosterone,” which is responsible for hair loss and baldness; this indicates that they are currently in danger of coming out within the following few years.

shock hair loss in the transplant region

Dense packing, in which some hair from the recipient area is lost, changes the dynamics somewhat. This condition occurs when the transplants are placed in a location too close. It can cause such stress to the surrounding region that the hairs on the scalp and surrounding areas will also come out.

A further effect of dense packing is the creation of a quite artificial result. The transplanted hairs have a wild and unnatural appearance and stick out from the head. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “doll head effect.” When the attending physician and his crew have very little prior expertise, there is an increased likelihood that the patient will suffer from shock loss due to dense packing.

How To Avoid Shock Hair Loss After Getting a Hair Transplant

Shock loss is uncommon after hair transplant procedures; if it does occur, it is usually primarily temporary. Hair will begin to come back within a few months. Many individuals can minimize this risk by using medications such as minoxidil, which will reduce the chance of shock loss and strengthen the hair transplanted. The best method to avoid any possible mistake or improper practice during the procedure that may result in a shock loss following the hair transplant is to select the appropriate clinic with a medically competent and skilled team.

Conclusion

Patients want to ensure that their doctor has a great deal of expertise and experience performing scalp surgery to cut down on the other elements that could contribute to sudden hair loss. Ask to examine case studies of previous surgeries similar to the procedure you intend to undergo and verify that the surgeon has the required board certification before proceeding.