Hair transplant is the ideal solution for people who are suffering from Androgenetic Alopecia and want a permanent solution to hair loss. However, although very rare, a hair transplant surgery can still fail due to various reasons, such as technical errors and faults in surgical methods. In case of failure, the patient can visit Saraswat Hospital, which offers the best repair hair transplant in India. In this blog, we will discuss how to fix hair transplant failure? and how a repair hair transplant can help.
Major Reasons behind the Failure of a Hair Transplant Surgery
There can be many reasons behind a failed hair transplant surgery. First, if the patient is not the right candidate for a hair transplant, the surgery will not provide satisfactory results. There can be faults during the procedure as well, such as drying grafts due to exposure in the air for more than 20 seconds, grafts left out of the body for an extended time, rough handling of grafts, and implantation of grafts too deep into the scalp. You also need to consider aftercare. A hair transplant surgery can fail if you do not take care of your hair and scalp well for at least two weeks after the surgery until the area heals completely.
How to Fix Hair Transplant Failure
Fixing a hair transplant failure requires a tailored approach based on the specific issue. Below are practical steps to address the problem and achieve the desired results.
1. Consult a Reputable Hair Transplant Specialist
The first step in fixing a failed hair transplant is to consult a board-certified, experienced hair restoration surgeon. Look for a specialist with a proven track record in corrective procedures. They will:
- Assess the damage: Evaluate the donor and recipient areas to determine the extent of the failure.
- Identify the cause: Pinpoint whether the issue stems from surgical errors, poor graft survival, or patient-specific factors like scalp health.
- Recommend solutions: Suggest corrective techniques such as additional grafts, scar revision, or alternative treatments.
2. Consider a Revision Hair Transplant
A revision or corrective hair transplant is often the most effective way to fix a failed procedure. This involves:
- Adding more grafts: To address sparse or patchy areas, additional hair follicles can be transplanted from the donor area (typically the back of the scalp).
- Redesigning the hairline: If the original hairline looks unnatural, a skilled surgeon can create a more aesthetically pleasing design.
- Camouflaging scars: Techniques like FUE can be used to transplant hair into scarred areas, making them less noticeable.
3. Address Scarring with Advanced Techniques
Visible scarring, especially from older techniques like Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), can be a significant concern. To fix this:
- Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP): Scalp Micropigmentation is a technique that involves tattooing tiny dots on the scalp to mimic hair follicles, camouflaging scars or sparse areas.
- Scar revision surgery: A surgeon can excise and minimize linear scars from previous procedures.
- Laser therapy: Fractional laser treatments can reduce scar visibility and improve skin texture.
4. Explore Non-Surgical Treatments
If a revision transplant isn’t an immediate option (due to limited donor hair or other factors), non-surgical treatments can help improve the appearance of your hair and scalp:
- Minoxidil: This topical treatment can stimulate hair growth in areas with thinning or poor graft survival.
- Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): This non-invasive treatment uses laser light to stimulate hair follicles and enhance growth.
5. Optimize Post-Operative Care
Poor post-operative care is a common cause of hair transplant failure. To prevent further issues during a corrective procedure, follow these guidelines:
- Follow your surgeon’s instructions: Adhere strictly to post-op care protocols, including avoiding sun exposure, heavy exercise, or touching the grafts.
- Maintain scalp hygiene: Keep the scalp clean to prevent infections that could compromise graft survival.
- Stay hydrated and eat well: A nutrient-rich diet with vitamins like biotin, zinc, and vitamin D supports hair growth.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol: These can impair blood flow to the scalp, reducing graft survival rates.
When Should You Go for a Repair Hair Transplant?
You should consider a repair hair transplant if you notice any of the signs mentioned below:
- Defective hairline
In cases of unnatural hairline design and the low or high lying placement, the forehead may look too small or too large after the patient recovers. It gives the forehead an unnatural appearance. Hence, the patients end up being dissatisfied with the procedure.
- Wrong density and angulations
Hair transplant is a highly precise procedure that must always be performed by experienced experts. However, when surgery fails, the hair may look less dense where the scalp is visible. You can implant new hair follicles in the visible parts to reverse the effects through repair hair transplants in India. The angulations of the newly-implanted grafts are also crucial when it comes to obtaining natural-looking results from the transplantation.
- Bushy temples
The temples of every patient usually have fine and light-coloured hair compared to the other areas of the scalp. When you undergo a hair transplant surgery, the results must maintain the same pattern. However, if the surgery is performed by inexperienced doctors, you may end up with an increased density on the temples. Hence, it will leave a bushy look that will require redesign and fixing through a repair hair transplant.
Repair Hair Transplant Methods
A fundamental technique of repair hair transplant is replacing the unsightly grafts with smaller follicular units or micro-grafts for a more natural look. It is the best option if the patient is dealing with a limited portion of the hair. However, it cannot restore hair that has been transplanted very low on the forehead, and thus, it can be used in conjunction with the graft excision method.
Graft excision is a popular method of repair hair transplant. In this process, the abnormal grafts that were implanted in the previous surgery are removed from the scalp carefully. Afterwards, the grafts are distributed into the individual follicular unit. They are then re-implanted in the right locations. The overall appearance is improved because the underlying scarred tissues are removed as well during the procedure.
The methods are also combined in some cases of failed hair transplants. In such a case, the larger grafts are first extracted and replanted, and then micro-grafts are used to cover the entire area.
Where Should You Go for a Repair Hair Transplant in India?
You must choose a skilled and experienced doctor for a repair hair transplant. Saraswat Hospital in Agra is run by ABHRS-certified doctors with more than 20+ years of experience in the field, and the clinic has a high success rate in hair transplant surgeries.
Conclusion
A failed hair transplant can be disheartening, but it’s not the end of the road. By understanding how to fix hair transplant failure? Through consultation with a skilled specialist, revision procedures, non-surgical treatments, and proper care, you can achieve the fuller, natural-looking hair you envisioned. If you are suffering from a failed hair transplant, do not wait for the situation to get worse. To consult the experts at Saraswat Hospital, book an appointment or write to the team at saraswathospitalagra@gmail.com.
