Restoring the former glory of your hair is undoubtedly a pleasant prospect. Patients who have undergone successful hair transplant surgeries have become more confident, their self-image issues have subsided, and the overall quality of their lives has registered a marked improvement. Like with any surgical intervention, apart from the advantages, there are also certain risks and side effects associated with hair transplant as well. Understanding the risks and educating patients on how these can be prevented can contribute a great deal to the success of the procedure.
Probably the most unpleasant risk associated with hair surgery is hair follicle failure. At times, the hair follicles that were transplanted into the bald areas of the scalp can fail due to several reasons. It could be for reasons beyond the control of the surgeon, for example health issues undisclosed by the patient prior to the procedure. It could also be that the surgeon failed to properly evaluate whether the patient meets all the prerequisites for the procedure.
The bad quality of the hair follicles from the donor area, the presence of any inflammation of the scalp or any other diseases that may hinder the procedure and that haven’t been taken into consideration by the hair surgeon, are all elements that may adversely affect the outcome of the procedure. In order to diminish the risks, it is advisable that patients undergo a careful examination to see whether they have any disease that may render them incompatible with the procedure. If there are any diseases, they have to be cured and then the surgeon can proceed with the hair transplant. Choosing a hair clinic reputed for its high success rate can also help in mitigating this risk.
Scarring is an obvious side effect of the hair transplantation procedure. Following the procedure, there is a compulsory healing time, during which patients will be required to avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs. Some patients will even be required to stop smoking and stop drinking alcohol one week prior to the surgery. With new hair transplantation procedures, scarring is not prominent, and it will be visible only on close inspection.
Sometimes, in case of partial baldness, the new hair grafts may weaken the original hair, and these can become thin. This usually occurs in case of infections that occur after the surgery, and patients will be required to take a course of antibiotics, and stay away from open environments where they may be exposed to dust, germs and bacteria.
There is also a financial aspect that has to be taken into account when discussing the risks of hair restoration surgery. These procedures tend to be expensive, so to avoid throwing money out of the window, you should choose wisely when deciding on a particular hair clinic.
Closely following the doctor’s orders and taking all the prescribed medicine can significantly decrease these risks. Given that hair transplant is a permanent procedure that can help you get rid of baldness, it is important that you take all the necessary precautions in choosing a good hair clinic, in understanding the importance of following the doctor’s recommendations, and in disclosing any information about any disease or condition that could interfere with the success of the procedure.