5 reasons for failed hair transplant surgery

Dear reader, as in any surgical operation, there are various points that can cause the patient's anxiety and make him think before the hair transplant operation. At the same time, the satisfaction that will be obtained as a result of a successful hair transplant operation is far beyond expectations. Regardless of the initial technique, if you're considering hair transplant surgery, you need to get basic information about the overall procedure. So, in addition to learning about the possible problems you may encounter, it will be very beneficial for you to learn how to avoid them! In this article, we will touch on several topics about the main reasons for unsuccessful hair transplant or bad hair transplant surgery.

But why do some hair transplants fail?

To investigate the answer to this question, we analyzed various unsuccessful hair transplant surgeries and identified 5 main reasons why hair transplant recipients are dissatisfied with the results.

1. Doctor's inexperience

Techniques such as DHI and FUE, which are considered the most popular hair transplant techniques, are surgical procedures that require patience. Sometimes, inexperienced surgeons may find it difficult to properly place hair grafts during transplantation. Let's not forget that one of the most important stages of the hair transplant procedure is the correct placement of the obtained grafts in the recipient area, which plays an important role in the final appearance of the hair. Experienced doctors know how to effectively use donor sites suitable for hair transplantation. Even non-professional doctors can make mistakes such as wrong selection of the donor area. When hair follicles are transplanted from the wrong areas of the scalp, as a result, both the donor area and the recipient area will show evidence of this poor technique. As we have emphasized several times in our other articles, the first donor area used in hair transplantation is the nape of the head. To achieve a natural look, hair from the nape of the neck must be used correctly.Misuse of hair follicles taken from different donor sites can lead to unacceptable results. However, some inexperienced doctors may compress the donor sites too much. For example, a doctor removing an unnecessarily large number of hair follicles from the donor area - the term "overharvesting" is an example of this. Experience is a very important element in hair transplant surgery. Consider the doctor's experience when applying mainly for FUE and DHI hair transplant surgery. For this, you can evaluate the doctor's experience and, even better, patient reviews.

2. Improper hair care after surgery

Taking care of your hair after a hair transplant is at least as important as the surgery itself. Your doctor will have shared with you important things to know and follow in the days and weeks after surgery. Some patients may experience excessive scaling on the scalp. Scratching or improperly washing the area can prevent the hair follicles from settling properly into the transplanted area. The good news is that you have to be pretty reckless to really do such serious damage to your hair. It is extremely important to follow the instructions for washing your hair after the operation, such as not to be exposed to the sun or sweat too much, etc. To get more detailed information about this, visit our blog page "Hair transplant surgery. Before and after".

3. The patient is not a suitable candidate for hair transplantation

Hair transplantation can be a life-enhancing procedure for many people. However, let's not forget that this operation must be carried out only on suitable candidates. Before the operation, it is important for the doctor to assess the patient's genetic and general health status, discuss the main issues after certain examinations. During the examination, your doctor should perform various evaluations to analyze future hair loss, assess hair type, and determine the underlying cause of hair loss. All of the above are factors that help determine whether you are a good fit for the procedure. In many cases, the main reason for the failure of the hair transplant procedure is that the patient is not a suitable candidate for the hair transplant. It is not difficult to determine that the patient is not suitable for FUE hair transplantation. Sometimes, the fact that a person is experiencing hair loss is not a sufficient reason to undergo a hair transplant surgery. In other words, you may not be ready for surgery yet. Even if it seems remarkable that you are already dealing with hair loss, sometimes you may need a little more hair loss for a hair transplant to be fully successful. For example, if you start a hair transplant procedure while your hair continues to fall out day by day, you may find that shedding still continues around the transplanted hair after a while. On the other hand, if you do not have enough donor hair for a hair transplant, you will probably need to look at other alternatives. In cases where the donor sites are very weak, the results will be very poor. Your doctor will evaluate all of these and other information. This evaluation will determine if you are a suitable candidate for a hair transplant.

4. Unrealistic expectations

The results of the hair transplant procedure may vary depending on the patient's hair type and density. It is important to avoid unrealistic expectations to avoid an unsuccessful outcome. To do this, you need to be able to openly share your goals and expectations with your doctor. Your doctor can warn you about unrealistic expectations and give you examples of what you can get instead. For example, if you do not have enough donor grafts, a dense hair look may not be possible for you. Being upfront about your limitations and potential outcomes will make you more satisfied at the end of the procedure.

5. Misunderstanding

Let's not forget that the hair transplant operation is the initial stage of the procedure, after which a long process awaits the patients. Some patients think that the operation has failed before the process is complete and the hair has no chance to grow. It may take 12 months or more to see initial results. Of course, wanting to see results as soon as possible is a normal expectation. For a successful outcome, it is extremely important to follow the post-operative procedures prescribed for you in consultation with your doctor. Dr. Araz Amirov

Member of the International Association of Dermatologists