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What to expect – shedding and growth
What to expect – shedding and growth
Post op shedding
One of the most misunderstood aspects of HT surgery is the 'shedding' of the new hair. Many patients either aren’t told, or they become temporarily deaf at that point, that the majority of the newly transplanted hairs will fall out, in a process known as anagen effluvium, within the first three to eight weeks. Often, this happens in a wave at about week three to four.
This is perfectly normal and to be expected for 90% of the FU grafts. They return from about three to six months post-op. Initially, they emerge as finer hairs, and gain length and diameter as their growth continues. By the end of the first year, the ‘new’ hairs should be as robust as the other, ‘native’ terminal hairs. They will also gain length at the same rate as non-transplanted hairs, which is roughly one half inch per month.
Sometimes during this first month, you may notice small hairs being shed along with their bulbs. They may even come out along with the small scabs within the first week or two. All this is normal; the part of the follicle which germinates new hair is still inside at the base of the follicle. Unless there is bleeding at a graft site, you haven’t lost the graft.
Occasionally there is some textural change in the transplanted hair. It may become curlier than it was, or even somewhat wiry. This change in texture is temporary, and resolves itself with the normal growth cycles of the hair often in twelve to eighteen months.
Regards
Spex
Post op shedding
One of the most misunderstood aspects of HT surgery is the 'shedding' of the new hair. Many patients either aren’t told, or they become temporarily deaf at that point, that the majority of the newly transplanted hairs will fall out, in a process known as anagen effluvium, within the first three to eight weeks. Often, this happens in a wave at about week three to four.
This is perfectly normal and to be expected for 90% of the FU grafts. They return from about three to six months post-op. Initially, they emerge as finer hairs, and gain length and diameter as their growth continues. By the end of the first year, the ‘new’ hairs should be as robust as the other, ‘native’ terminal hairs. They will also gain length at the same rate as non-transplanted hairs, which is roughly one half inch per month.
Sometimes during this first month, you may notice small hairs being shed along with their bulbs. They may even come out along with the small scabs within the first week or two. All this is normal; the part of the follicle which germinates new hair is still inside at the base of the follicle. Unless there is bleeding at a graft site, you haven’t lost the graft.
Occasionally there is some textural change in the transplanted hair. It may become curlier than it was, or even somewhat wiry. This change in texture is temporary, and resolves itself with the normal growth cycles of the hair often in twelve to eighteen months.
Regards
Spex