Why do hair transplants fail? Why did my hair transplant fail? Has your hair transplant gone wrong? What causes failed hair transplant? Can a hair transplant actually fail? – These are some questions we all think about before opting for a hair transplant procedure.
In this blog, we will talk about ‘Why do hair transplants fail?’
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that is said to be a permanent solution to Androgenetic alopecia. The surgery is so advanced that anyone considering hair restoration would expect effective and long-lasting results. But if you look around you, you often see failed cases of hair transplantation. However, failed cases can often be improved via a repair hair transplant in India.
What is a Failed Hair Transplant? Can a Repair Hair Transplant in India Fix It?
In general terms, if the transplanted hairs do not grow properly in the recipient area to give natural-looking results, it may be called a failed hair transplant. Also, if the donor site is depleted excessively to present an unsightly appearance, it cannot be called a successful hair transplant. If you are suffering from unsightly hair transplant results, connect with an expert surgeon and plan your repair hair transplant in India or elsewhere.
What are the Causes of Failed Hair Transplant?
According to the 2020 Practice Census Results by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), the chances of failed hair transplants are nearly 43%. This study analyses the failed hair transplant rate based on the patient’s satisfaction and how transplanted hair grows after the procedure. However, advanced hair restoration clinics with next-gen technological set-ups and skilled surgeons have a failure rate of less than 2%.
1. Hairline Gone Wrong
A rule goes in surgery: always tread forward when you have kept your previous foot secure. Therefore, the first point would be that the hairline design should be natural-looking as per the long-term planning done for you by your doctor. It should preferably have a mature-looking hairline. Before undergoing a repair hair transplant procedure in India, discuss your concerns and goals accordingly with your surgeon.
2. Over Graft Harvesting
Secondly, the harvesting should not be over harvesting. It is suggested that a density of 40 grafts per centimetre square should be left in the donor area to avoid scalp visibility post hair transplant.
3. Hair Transplant Scar
Thirdly, unnecessary scaring in slit making should never be seen. In order to give more than possible density, there are a few clinics that make slits so near that not only the grafts didn’t survive but the slits made so near led to scar formation. It is very unfortunate for the patient, if so happens.
Wide scars are uncommon, yet they are a possibility as a result of improper surgical technique or poor patient compliance. It may take weeks or months for the scar to mature, leaving the wound’s strength vulnerable to patient activities.
4. Bad Angles and Directions of Grafts
Fourth is bad angles and directions of grafts. When the surgeon makes the slits in the recipient site, they have to take care of the angle of the slits, the direction of the slits, the depth, and the density of the slits. If unnecessarily the density of slits is increased, then instead of beautiful hair growth, there is seen an ugly scar on the scalp. If the depth is more, it may lead to damage to the blood vessels of the scalp and thus, jeopardising the nourishment and oxygen needed for proper growth of transplanted hairs leading to poor growth. If the angle and direction of slits are improper, it may lead to ugly growth of hair, thus, making the result suboptimal and unsatisfactory.
5. Improper Handling of Grafts
Fifthly, careless insertion of grafts, and crushing the roots and stem cell areas can cause microscopic damage even if the grafts appear normal from the outside. Handling hair grafts is as important as harvesting them. Grafts are fragile and they are live tissue. You need to see that the hair transplantation surgery staff where you are undergoing surgery is trained, skilled, and aware enough to take care of the delicate procedure. At Saraswat Hospital, our ABHRS-certified surgeons always prefer to use advanced tools like Choi implanter pens to avoid graft mishandling.
6. Improper Storage of Grafts
Sixthly, improper storage of grafts. Graft desiccation is the term given to drying of grafts due to insufficient hydration available for them. Graft desiccation is the number one killer of grafts. In the surgery theatre, if the team is not vigilant enough to keep grafts hydrated at all times, the fans and air conditioning can quickly deplete the grafts of their moisture and thus, destroy them.
7. Tests before hair transplant
Pre-procedure work up of the patient should be thorough as hair transplant is a surgery. Hence, systemic examination and medical history, surgical history, family history, social history, chief complaints, and everything should be taken into account so that patient selection is good and appropriate.
Check How to Prepare for a Hair Transplant Surgery
8. Trichoscopy
Trichoscopy, or computerised examination of the hair and scalp, should be done in order to scientifically and accurately observe the grafts at the donor site and make an accurate calculation of the number of grafts needed. For a hair transplant in India, always go for clinics that are equipped with software-based trichoscopy analysis procedures, advanced tools like Choi implanter pens, and so on.
9. Alopecia Areata, Scarring Alopecia
Alopecia Areata, trichotillomania, scarring alopecia with poor prognosis should not be entertained as they always lead to unsatisfactory results. If the patient is taking medicines for any skin or medical problem, then they must discuss this with the doctor.
10. Long Term Planning
Loss of hairs existing before the transplant may lead to decreased density. This should not be confused with poor growth of transplanted hair. Such patients may need to undergo another session of hair transplantation to achieve desired density.
These ten points discussed above are all the causes that can lead to a failed transplant. Additionally, there are three particular points the patient must be careful about before they decide to have a hair transplant in India or elsewhere. These are as follows:
- Before choosing a surgeon, search for the doctors’ credentials and experience and then go with the best to get best possible outcomes.
- See that your doctor has done long term planning for you
- Get educated regarding Trichoscopy and set realistic conditions for yourself
Bottom Line
Hair transplant procedures, when performed by a skilled surgeon, can successfully restore a natural-looking hairline for a patient. It offers permanent solutions to hair thinning and baldness. At Saraswat Hospital in Agra, we have ABHRS-certified hair restoration experts who have the experience and expertise to perform all kinds of hair transplant surgeries including a repair hair transplant in India. For positive outcomes, get in touch with our doctors.
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