Hair shedding is a part of the normal life cycle and it will not be wrong to say that transplanted hairs do fall out. Shedding 70 to 100 hairs per day is a normal condition and there is no need to panic in such cases. However, if you notice more than the number mentioned above you lose per day, you need to consult a doctor. Surgical procedures include extracting grafts from a donor area which is rich in density and implantation to a recipient’s area which is the area showing bald spots or pattern baldness. Normally, the transplanted hairs fall out within 2 to 3 weeks following a procedure and new growth in place from the implanted follicles. A time period must be needed till the growth of newly transplanted follicles because the follicles need some time to adjust in the new area, establish new roots and be able to support new healthy hairs. Even these newly grown hairs fall out after reaching their maximum lengths and completing their cycle. This process of shedding and new growth continues until the follicles become weak to support anymore hairs which are usually age dependent.
Does DHT affect transplanted hairs?
Dihydrotestodterone is a byproduct of a male sex hormone, testosterone. It can be responsible for post-transplant hair loss. It can affect hairs after transplant and can shed them the same way as in case before transplant. DHT binds with different types of receptors present all over the body. It causes growth all over the body with the exception of the scalp where it causes shedding in sensitive individuals. DHT binding affinity with receptors is not the same all over. In the crown area and hairline, the receptor binding is maximum and this is the reason, people start to notice a receding hairline in the initial stages followed by partial balding in the crown area. This hormone is least bound to the temporal region and back of head, occipital region. The hairs remain in these areas giving the horseshoe-like appearance after most of the baldness have occurred from the crown region. The transplanted hairs if taken from the back of the head and temporal region are somewhat resistant or less sensitive towards this hormone. If the back of the head or temporal area serves as the donor area, the chances of hair loss due to DHT would be less.
Why do hairs shed after transplant?
All the physiological phenomena occurring in our bodies follow their specific cycles. Same is the case applied while relating to the shedding. All hairs are destined to fall irrespective of their area of growth and thickness. When they fall, new hairs grow in their place. When a person undergoes a hair transplant, he notices that the transplanted follicles shed after a specific time. This is because the innate life cycle of follicles which shed the previous hairs, undergoes rest and supports the growth of new.
How long does shock loss last after hair transplant?
Following a hair transplant, the follicles undergo a resting phase which is known as shock loss. In this phase, the follicles shed hairs and take a break before supporting the growth of new hairs as mentioned previously. The resting phase can last from 2 to 8 weeks. This is needed to be understood that this is a completely normal phase and there is no need to panic under such a situation. The best you can do is to support the grafts by proper post treatment care steps to get new and healthy hairs out of those grafts.
How long does shock loss last after a hair transplant?
The time required for transplanted hair falling may vary from person to person. It ranges from 2 weeks to 20 months following a FUT or FUE procedure. In this resting phase, your scalp might look the same as before surgery, but no need to take tension. Hair shock loss requires some patience before coming up with the promised results. New hairs come out in about 4 months after a transplant but it may take longer in others. At the beginning, the growth from implanted follicles, they might be too thin to be visible; they can be easily felt by touching with fingers. The rate of growth is also different. You should take good care of in this phase. Many Practitioners prescribe the use of minoxidil in this phase to slow down the rate of falling and increase healthy growth. In about a year, the newly grown hairs thicken and enter in the normal growth cycle. They are just like original and now you are free to enjoy them.
Can you go bald again after a transplant?
As not seen in most of the cases, balding may retain following a hair transplant as a result of poor nutrition, autoimmune diseases or chemotherapy. Such underlying causes are needed to be addressed prior to undergoing a hair restoration surgery. If you want your hairs to look good and stay healthy after a transplant you should shift to hair care routines. Try to include a protein rich diet in order to reduce the hair fall. A transplant can last long if the patient sticks to healthy choices and takes prescribed post treatment medications.
When can I touch transplanted hairs?
Immediately after a transplant, the scalp is numb due to the anesthesia applied. The doctor bandages the transplanted area and the client returns to his home. The bandage is opened in a couple of days when a person is free to touch his scalp. Only a gentle touch is advisable because too harsh touching can make the implanted hairs to shed. Your doctor might advise to not scratch or rub your head. Touching the transplanted hairs should be kept minimum until the area is healed because it can lead to infection build up.