Hair Transplant Side Effects

Hair transplant side effects

Hair transplants represent the only life-long, natural solution to combating hair loss. While these procedures are minimally invasive, outpatient surgeries, every patient is different and reactions can vary from person to person. Hair transplants are completely safe when performed by qualified, experienced hair restoration surgeons.

 

Can a Hair Transplant Have Any Side Effects?

Any surgical procedure comes with some risk of side effects. For hair transplants, these are typically minimal, however, the most common side effects for a hair transplant are:

 

  • Infection

Infection is a risk with any surgical procedure. Hair transplants require the surgeon to create thousands of small extraction and implantation sites across the recipient and donor areas. Each of these sites can pose a risk of infection. However, these risks can be greatly reduced by having your operation performed in a world-class hospital with a sterile environment.

 

  • Bleeding

Bleeding during a hair transplant procedure is normal and expected. However, anything more than a minimal amount can risk complicating the hair placement in the recipient area. Before a hair transplant, patients are advised to not smoke or drink alcohol for 1-3 days.

 

  • Scabs

A hair transplant requires the surgeon to create as many as 8,000 individual channels in the recipient area into which the healthy hair follicles are inserted. These incisions are quite small—only around 1mm in diameter. As they begin to heal over the next few days, scab formation is a normal, natural part of the healing process. DO NOT PICK AT OR RUB SCABS—this will greatly increase your risk of scarring or loss of the implanted grafts.

 

  • Scarring

While hair transplants are minimally invasive outpatient procedures, they are still surgical operations and scarring can be a result of the procedure. These scars are commonly small, fade quickly, and will also likely be covered by your hair.

 

How Can I Minimise The Risks of a Hair Transplant?

There are several steps that can be taken both before and after your operation to ensure a full healthy recovery.

 

Before The Operation

Avoid Blood-Thinning Medications

To minimize the risks of bleeding, scabbing, or scarring,  it is best to avoid medications such as Aspirin for three days before your hair transplant in Istanbul as these can thin the blood. If you are taking any prescription medications, please consult with your physician before a hair transplant surgery.

Avoid Alcohol, Nicotine, and Caffeine

For at least one full day before your operation, do not consume any alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine. Again. These substances can thin the blood and have a negative effect on the efficacy of anaesthesia. 

Additionally, smoking should be avoided for at least one full day before – and up to seven days after – your operation. Smoking constricts your blood vessels and decreases blood flow to the scalp, limiting the amount of nutrients available for the new hair grafts. (Generally, it is best to quit smoking altogether to improve the health and density of your hair.)

 

After The Operation

Avoid Touching The Recipient Site

After a hair transplant, the recipient site will be itchy and irritated. This area must be allowed to heal on its own without being disturbed. Do not rub or scratch the area. The newly-implanted grafts are still fresh and have not yet taken hold. Rubbing or scratching the area is likely to cause them to fall out and increases the risk of scarring.

Avoid Strenuous Physical Activity

For at least two weeks after your operation, it is advised to avoid all activities such as sport, sexual intercourse, hard work, or even vigorously blowing your nose. These could cause the grafts to fall out.

Avoid Sunlight, Seawater, And Pools

For at least 2-4 weeks, it is advised to avoid direct sunlight or fully immersing your head in water. 

Take Care of Your Hair

After your operation, your surgeon will provide you with comprehensive information about how and when to wash your hair. You will also be provided with a full suite of aftercare products and instructions for their use.

 

Trusted Results With Dr Serkan Aygin

Over his 25+ years of practice, Dr Serkan Aygin has assisted more than 15,000 clients and has achieved an astounding hair regrowth rate of 98%. In 2019, Dr Aygin was honoured by the European Awards for Medicine in the field of Hair Transplantation for his groundbreaking advancements in the use of Sapphire Blades for FUE hair transplants. Sapphire blades greatly reduce the risk of bleeding, scabbing, and scarring by allowing for much finer incisions.

Our cutting-edge clinic is located in the centre of Istanbul in one of Turkey’s most prestigious hospitals. We use only the newest, most modern equipment to guarantee that all of our clients receive the best possible treatment. Contact us today to schedule your full, free consultation.

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