Many potential hair transplant patients wonder about the possibility of hair loss following a hair transplant. Specifically, whether their transplanted hair will remain permanently implanted and secure in their scalp.

The answer to this all-too-important concern is: it depends on the caliber and expertise of the surgeon.

If the transplant was performed by an experienced board-certified hair restoration specialist, the chances of post-surgical hair loss is exceedingly rare. Apart from shock loss, which will be discussed later, post-surgical hair loss can occur due to poorly executed surgical work. If the operating surgeon is not using the most advanced surgical techniques, such as a small needle and blade, or creates poor and misaligned recipient sites, then the chances of follicular injury and impermanence run high.

There are many reports of patients from overseas clinics or local clinics using robotics and untrained technicians that show botched scalps and implants with excessive tissue and graft damage.
When you partner with a board-certified hair transplant specialist using state-of-the-art hand-held devices (with very small punch sizes, .7-8mm), scalp incisions will be virtually scar less and invisible to naked eye. More specifically, such a trained surgeon will take care to never damage transplanted follicle and the surrounding tissue.

Apart from poor surgical work, which can result in permanent hair loss and a falling out or deterioration of transplanted hair, patients may experience shock loss. Shock loss is common and effects the native hairs surrounding the area of the transplant (not the newly transplanted grafts). There are many underlying causes for shock loss but ultimately the hair loss is caused by the hair follicles becoming ‘shocked’ or ‘traumatized’ by the surgical event. Any type of invasive procedure or drastic change in environment can cause a shock or trauma reaction in the body. In the case of shock loss, the hair follicles become shocked and fall out.

There are two types of shock loss – temporary and permanent. Temporary shock loss means the hairs are likely to come back during the next hair growth cycle, after a brief recovery time for the hairs. Permanent shock loss means the hairs are not likely to come back. This is often the case when the hairs were very weak prior to surgery, and were likely to fall out soon on their own regardless.
If you’d like to learn more about hair transplantation and see if you’re a candidate, give us call today.

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.