Side effects of hair transplantation and what to do about them…

During the recovery period after hair transplantation, patients may experience mild to moderate side effects due to the nature of the hair transplant procedure. Although FUE hair transplant is less invasive than the FUT procedure, people may experience potential side effects associated with smaller incisions; therefore, it is important to pay attention to these issues, especially before returning to work.

So, what stands out as the side effects of hair transplantation?

Hair Transplant Side Effects: A Comprehensive Evaluation

Hair transplant side effects are one of the frequently asked questions by many of our patients who visit Meditürk Clinic. FUE hair transplantation is a modern, convenient and long-term solution to combat hair loss. Thanks to technological developments and advanced surgical techniques in this field, hair transplantation has become a safer and less invasive option for the public. However, it is still a medical procedure that can be used with anesthesia and surgical incisions on the scalp. Although it is classified as a minor surgical procedure, there are some risks and potential hair transplant side effects that may occur when you have an FUE hair transplant. Hair transplant surgery requires pre-operative hair analysis, anesthesia, blood pressure control, precise cutting and correct placement of grafts. Your post-operative care is therefore incredibly important. You should talk to the hair transplant specialist for a detailed breakdown of the side effects and how to manage them.

We have summarized the most common side effects of hair transplant below. While you may never experience some of these, it’s important to pay attention to these reactions and deal with them optimally:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Itching
• Infections
• Crusting
• Shock shedding and hair loss
• Pain After Hair Transplantation

Pain After Hair Transplantation

Your pain may be worse the evening and the next day of your surgery. The pain may be felt in your donor area as well as where the hairs have just been planted. It is often described as a graze-like pain, but it should not be severe. What is happening? After hair transplantation, many channels are opened on your head with tiny incisions. You may begin to feel some of these small cuts after the local anesthetic wears off. The next day, you should now feel comfortable. This period may be longer in a small number of transplanted patients. Pain can be easily managed with drugs such as Ibuprofen (or Nurofen) and Paracetamol, which are prescribed as appropriate. If you need something stronger, it’s worth going back to your hair transplant surgeon to discuss what can be given. If the pain continues after hair transplantation, you should definitely contact the hair transplantation clinic.

Swelling after Hair Transplant

Swelling or ‘edema’ is a common side effect of hair transplantation. It usually occurs on the forehead and lasts 2-6 days after the operation. In rare cases, the swelling may cover the eyelid. If this occurs, it may delay the patient’s return to work; but there is nothing to be worried about. Since you have surgery, there will be an element of inflammation caused by the surgery. This inflammation causes the skin tissue on the scalp to swell and feel tight. This can sometimes go down to the forehead and affect the eyes.

How can you treat swelling? Anti-inflammatory drugs such as dexamethasone (a steroid) can be used here. This is a tablet taken twice a day and helps reduce swelling. Sometimes, in major hair transplant operations, your swelling may last a little longer than 7-10 days or may begin to affect your eyes. At this point, you should contact the hair transplant center for the best advice.

Bleeding after Hair Transplant

Bleeding may occur as a side effect immediately after hair transplantation. The back of the head, where the hair follicles are taken, is sensitive on the day of surgery. Shortly after the procedure, this stage stops and crust development begins. The area will heal over the next few days/weeks. Bleeding in the area where the follicles are transplanted may be normal on the day of the procedure. There should be no bleeding the day after the procedure.

How can you treat bleeding? If you notice that you are bleeding the day after the procedure, do not panic. Just take a clean swab/cotton swab or cloth and apply gentle pressure to the area. Do not rub as it can dislodge any follicles. The bleeding should eventually stop. However, you should share the situation with your specialist. If you bleed despite applying light pressure, you should contact your surgeon, who should see you as soon as possible.

Itching after Hair Transplantation

Itching after hair transplantation is a common reaction to surgery. In fact, it is the body’s natural response to healing itself and is a commonplace side effect for most surgical procedures. However, scratching your scalp after a transplant can damage or dislodge your newly implanted fragile follicles. Itching is usually the last side effect to develop. It usually affects the back and sides of the head where the hair is removed. It can also affect the area where the grafts are planted. Itching may begin 4-5 days after the procedure and last up to a month.

Like swelling, itching is secondary to the inflammation and healing processes of your scalp after surgery. Itching can also be caused by the drying of the scalp after hair transplantation. In both cases, the side effect tends to go away over time.

Infections After Hair Transplantation

As with any surgery, there is always a risk of infection. Your hair transplant should be done in a sterile (clean) operating room, and this risk should be minimal. Infection may begin the day after surgery. The infection normally causes your scalp to feel hot, sore and itchy. If you notice small, painful yellow bumps in the area of ​​your new grafts, read our ‘Redness After Hair Transplant’ article to learn more.

Since the grafts are implanted in small cuts, there is a risk of bacteria settling in these cuts and causing an infection (folliculitis) around the hair.

How can you treat the infection? Normally this can be easily treated with an antibiotic tablet. The tablet should start to work within 1-2 days and clear your infection within 7 days. If this is done quickly, there should be no risk to your grafts, so if you notice signs of infection, be sure to visit your surgeon immediately. Sometimes your surgeon may also recommend a cream to apply to your head. This can also help fight infection.

Hair Transplant Side Effects: Crusting

You may see some crusting in the donor area – these are crusts and are normal. Scabs may also appear where your grafts are implanted – this is also normal. Crusts are caused by dry blood and fluid from the surgery that settles around each of your implanted hairs. With careful washing and spraying by your surgeon, crusting can be prevented during surgery. Crusts may also appear after surgery.

First, don’t tear off the shells. There is a risk of removing the grafts and damaging your hair transplant. We recommend spraying your grafts regularly for the first 4 days after surgery. This helps prevent hard crusts from forming. On the 5th day, when you start washing, leave your peels for 5-10 minutes and wash the area. Don’t spray the area directly with your shower head, instead, let the water drip off and wash off the foam. After 1-2 weeks, there should be no crusts.

Hair Loss After Hair Transplantation

Hair loss, also known as shock loss, is a common side effect of FUE hair transplantation surgery, so don’t worry if this happens as this is a completely normal process. Shock shedding begins to occur after the first week of surgery. When the excessive shedding stops, new hair will grow in place in the next 8-12 months. For a related article, see: Does the transplanted hair fall out?

As Meditürk, we offer a variety of remedies, tips and tricks, and aftercare products to help you on your healing journey. We offer a meticulously created, special treatment plan, including free hair analysis before hair transplantation.

Contact us now!

Source: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/hair-transplantation-and-restoration/safety