Hair transplant surgery is the only permanent solution to restore your hair loss. Due to advances in techniques, this procedure is very safe and minimally invasive. It is performed under a local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. That said, it is still a medical procedure that involves surgical micro-incisions in target areas of your scalp or body where hair is required. The fact remains that any surgical procedure carries risk of side effects, but you can reduce your chance of risk by performing a due diligence on the hair transplant clinic to understand their safety and post procedure protocols.

Your hair transplant surgeon will typically prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines and antibiotics to help prevent potential inflammation or infection post procedure. Generally, the side effects associated with hair transplants are minor, varies patient-by-patient, and generally takes three weeks or so to clear up, in case it happens. These side effects can include the following –

1. Redness post hair transplant

Redness in scalp should go away for most patients after 10-14 days of hair transplant surgery.

2. Scarring

Any surgery leaves scars and therefore one should evaluate the type of hair transplant technique used. The DFI technique at Evolved Hair Restoration Clinic leaves a small microdot scar, which is virtually undetectable.

3. Side effects post hair transplant

There can be some minor side effects associated with hair transplants such as bleeding, itching, swelling, and bruising but with the correct aftercare protocols, it should be short lived, lasting 2-3 weeks. To further minimize these side effects, patients should avoid taking blood thinning medication or engage in any activity that could dislodge the transplanted hair. Exercise should also be avoided in the first 2 weeks after hair transplant surgery.

4. Scab Formation

You should experience slight scabbing or thin crust of clotted blood appearing across transplanted area. This is caused by healthy clots. They will naturally fall away 4–10 days after being formed. They should be left alone to shed themselves, as intervening with them can cause infections. If scabs persist, proper after-care protocols should be followed for removal.

5. Post-surgery infections

This is very rare if you follow the proper aftercare instructions to help you avoid any dirt or harmful bacteria into the sensitive area, which could cause an infection called Folliculitis. If this happens, the face and scalp would swell but can often be treated with antibiotics.

6. Shock Loss & Hair Loss

After your procedure, it is possible to experience a post-transplant phenomenon known as “shock loss” or what is called as the “ugly duckling phase”. What this means is that, native hair that was miniaturized falls out as result of the trauma the scalp has endured during surgery. While it may feel surprising to see the hair loss after undergoing the transplant, in certain patients it will be an unavoidable part of the recovery process. Rest assured, this is generally considered a passing phase that should clear up within a few weeks.