A hair transplant is a very safe surgery. With technological advancements, the success rate of this procedure has skyrocketed.
Anywhere from 10 to 80% of the grafted hair follicles can grow without side effects.
But that does not mean a hair transplant surgery does not have any side effects. Whether small or big, any surgery has some potential side effects, and the same is true for hair transplants. Most hair transplant complications are minor and temporary. However, some can be complicated, especially if you don’t take proper post-surgery preventive care.
Whether you get a minor, temporary side effect or some complicated ones depends on the surgeon you choose. Going through the procedure with an experienced and well-reputed surgeon reduces half the chances of any side effects after surgery.
With that being said, here are some common side effects that you may experience after surgery.
Bleeding
Since hair transplant is a surgery procedure, you may experience small bleeding instances here and there. This side effect is easily treatable. However, if you are experiencing frequent bleeding, your surgeon might have to take some more stitches to stop it.
Pain
Pain is inevitable after surgery. In the case of a hair transplant procedure, you will experience less pain if you undergo Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure. FUE doesn’t require cutting a strip of hair and then extracting follicles. Hence, the pain is much less than Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT), where your surgeon will cut a long strip of hair from the back of your head, causing more pain.
Although a hair transplant surgery can lead to some side effects, most of them are minor and easily treatable.
Thinning of hair
This side effect might sound exactly opposite to the reason you opted for a hair transplant. But it is a bit misleading. The thing is that due to the stress and trauma on the recipient site, you may experience falling off of natural hair. However, this is again temporary, and you will see the natural thickness you dreamed of within a month or two.
Itching
Itching is a common side effect after a hair transplant. The reason behind the itchiness is the occurrence of scabs. It is easily treatable. But it is still advised to consult with your surgeon before it becomes severe.
Scarring
Scars are common after surgeries due to the cuts created for completing the procedures. However, if you opt for the FUE procedure, the wound is usually almost invisible as it is minimally invasive. If you pick FUT, the scars will be bigger and more visible.
Cysts
Cysts can form due to infection or hair follicles grafted several layers deep down in the scalp. Hence, selecting an experienced surgeon can save you from this post-surgery complication. Cysts are usually temporary and may subside within a couple of days. But if they persist, it is better to consult with your doctor.
Always prefer an experienced, reputed surgeon and a clean, hygienic clinic to reduce the chances of complications