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Is it Normal to Experience Shock Loss After a Hair Transplant?

Forewarned is forearmed, so the saying goes. It holds good for most things in life, but it’s particularly true if you’re going for a surgical procedure. You want to know exactly what’s in front of you from start to finish. Good clinics will view this as part of their responsibility to you and will make sure you’re properly genned up before the process starts. They know it’s a stressful time for you and that the last thing you need is any worrying surprises. Shock loss is one such event that can seem scary if you haven’t been warned about it.

Haven’t heard about it? Don’t know what it is? Keep scrolling to find out all you need to know!

What is Shock Loss?

Shock loss in hair transplants refers to the temporary shedding of hair that occurs after the transplant procedure. It typically occurs in the first few weeks after the transplant. Shock loss shedding is a normal part of the healing process and isn’t a cause for concern. Usually, hair will regrow within several months.

Not every client experiences shock loss after a hair transplant. Amongst those who do, the severity of it can vary from person to person. Much depends on factors including the client’s age and overall health. The type of hair transplant procedure used may also be significant. It’s generally believed that the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method of hair transplantation is associated with a lower risk of shock loss compared to the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) technique.

What Causes It?

Shock loss after a hair transplant is caused by a variety of factors. These include scalp trauma and inflammation arising from the surgical procedure; hair follicle stress which results in the follicles moving into a resting phase; hormonal imbalance brought on by the hair transplant procedure and which affects the hair growth cycle; and the immune system attacking the transplanted hair follicles.

Vascular disturbance is another potential cause. This refers to a complication that occurs during a hair transplant when there is damage to the blood vessels that supply the hair follicles. This can lead to a reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients to the follicles which may then produce weak hair growth.

Vascular disturbance may occur as a result of the technique used during the procedure, the actions of the surgeon, or the anatomy of the patient. At its most serious, it can reduce the success rate of the transplant. The risk of vascular disturbance is minimised if the transplant is performed by a highly qualified and experienced hair transplant surgeon using state-of-the-art technology. Proper post-operative care is also important.

Post-Op Steps

After a hair transplant, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to reduce the risk of shock loss. This applies most obviously to medication and wound care, but there are other post-op steps you can take to promote healthy hair growth and minimise the risk of complications:

  1. Avoid strenuous activity for at least a week after the transplant. This includes all activities that put excessive pressure on the scalp, including such things as heavy lifting, sports and intense exercise.
  2. Protect your scalp from sun and wind exposure. You can do this by wearing a hat or other head covering to protect your scalp from the elements and stop the transplanted hair from being dried out.
  3. Avoid washing your hair for at least two or three days after the transplant. If you can manage a few days more than that, even better. When you do start washing it again, use a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo and avoid using hot water on your scalp.
  4. Avoid using harsh hair products such as hair sprays, gels, and styling creams. These can irritate your scalp and the transplanted hair, causing it to fall out.
  5. Giving your scalp a daily massage can help increase blood flow to the transplanted hair and promote hair growth.
  6. Maintaining good overall health is important for promoting hair growth after a transplant. A healthy lifestyle can help with that. So, eat well, sleep well, and ditch bad habits like smoking and drinking too much alcohol.

Conclusion

Getting a good hair transplant isn’t just about the few hours you spend undergoing surgery. It’s about the standard of care you receive before and after the procedure as well. Ethical clinics will put equal effort into the pre- and post-op stages of a hair transplant as they do into the process itself. That’s what makes for a good service.

At Vinci Hair Clinic, we pride ourselves on the quality of service we provide throughout the process. It’s what we’ve built our reputation on over many years. Part of that service is the free consultation we offer to all our new clients. This can take place in person or over the phone using photographs. Get in touch and book your appointment today!