Without a doubt, a hair transplant can bring about significant changes to a person’s appearance. A person who has long been agonizing over his premature balding problem will surely feel happy with the positive effects that such a procedure can bring. However, despite the known benefits of a hair transplant, many people still shy away from it because they are afraid of the side effects. Of course, a lot of them also get discouraged because of the cost but for the most part, they say “No” to hair transplant for the reason that they find it too risky. But is there really a hair transplant side effect? Read on to find out.
The Truth Behind the So-Called Hair Transplant Side Effect
If you really want to know if there’s a side effect to the said procedure, the answer is “Yes.” But you need to understand that these side effects are minor and temporary and they do not really affect the outcome of the procedure. Surgeons say that some of their patients complain of numbing and soreness during the first week after their surgery but this is completely normal since the wounds from the operation are still undergoing a healing process. Aside from this, you’d also hear about patients complaining about numbing in the donor and recipient areas, which could last up to a few months post-surgery but while such situations do happen, they are very uncommon. In any case, medications can be prescribed to relieve the discomfort.
Other Problems After a Hair Transplant Surgery
Aside from the abovementioned side effects, there are also other less than ideal results of a hair transplant procedure. Here are some of them:
- Scarring: Some patients, especially those who are genetically predisposed to getting a scar, may be likely to have them post-surgery. This is something that’s common among African American patients.
- Mild bleeding: This hair transplant side effect may occur immediately after surgery but only because of the wounds from the operation. The bleeding is very minimal and should not be a cause for worry.
- Swelling: There are patients who notice swelling in the forehead as well as the eye area but it will often subside in just a few days.
- Itching: Some patients report itchiness in the donor and recipient sites but this is usually attributed to the crusting and healing of the wounds. The good news is that it will go away in one or two weeks.
- Shock loss: While it is highly unlikely, shock loss does happen. It is a condition wherein patients experience further hair loss as a result of trauma from the operation. It may occur within a few weeks after the procedure is done.
Hair Transplant Side Effect Prevention
Is there a way to prevent the occurrence of side effects? To a certain extent, yes. For example, by maintaining good hygiene, you could prevent infections to occur. Additionally, it is also imperative that you follow the doctor’s instructions in regards to post-operative care so that the healing process will be smooth and quick.