Many men seeking hair replacement, such as follicular unit extraction (FUE), multiple follicular unit (MFU), or strip hair transplant (FUT) wonder how can a hair transplant fail? Is it possible to go through this procedure and not gain the benefits of your surgery? Below, we explore five factors that contribute to a hair transplant fail and how to prevent them.
What Makes a Hair Transplant Fail?
Among people who believe they suffered a hair transplant fail, these failures typically fall into five categories. These categories or reasons for their upset include:
- Surgeon inexperience
- Poor post-operative care
- Not being a good candidate for the surgery
- Clinical dishonesty
- Misunderstanding of expectations
1. Surgeon Inexperience
In any field of medicine, practitioner inexperience can cause problems. As the old saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” This is as true in hair replacement as it is anywhere else.
The processes for follicular unit extraction (FUE), multiple follicular unit (MFU), and strip hair transplant (FUT) require great skill and perseverance. A surgeon must practice the skill to master them. Patients do not typically want to be experimented on. So, when a hair restoration surgery is performed by a surgeon without adequate experience, you can expect the possibility of a hair transplant fail.
In each of these methods of hair restoration surgery, graft placement is critical in how the results appear and how the transplanted hair grows. An experienced surgeon knows how to maximize each patient’s donor-recipient ratio, whereas under-experienced doctors can make mistakes. It is a human process, after all, and knowing how to determine the safe donor area takes skill. Improper extraction can lead to what you will consider a definite hair transplant fail.
To avoid problems like these, focus on finding a skilled, experienced, and highly reputable hair replacement surgeon. In fact, their experience should be your first consideration in who performs your hair transplant. Look for years of experience and satisfied patient reviews. Otherwise, blind faith can take you right into a hair transplant fail.
2. Poor Post-Operative Care
Another reason for a perceived hair transplant fail is poor care after the surgery. You need to take proper care of yourself to realize the optimum results, as is true for any type of surgery. Your hair restoration specialist should provide aftercare instructions and follow-up appointment needs. You can experience issues like extensive scabbing, intense itching, infection or improper hair care that can affect your outcome.
After your surgery, follow your doctor’s directions to the letter. Take good care of yourself and follow proper hygiene practices. Do not scratch your scalp or spend time in the sun for the prescribed period of time. Do not exercise until your surgeon clears you for this activity because excessive sweating can create problems, too. When you have concerns, call your hair restoration doctor’s office.
3. Not Being a Good Candidate, in the First Place
It is very important to go through the proper steps toward hair restoration surgery. These steps include consultation with a qualified specialist able to evaluate your medical history, family history, and potential for surgical success. Your doctor will conduct tests and evaluate your type of hair loss and other aspects of your diagnosis before approving you for surgery.
Sometimes it is necessary to wait sometime before undergoing hair restoration surgery. Or, maybe you are not a good candidate, at all, such as if your hair loss is only temporary. This can feel disheartening. But you should pursue the right options at the right times to achieve the right results. Otherwise, you can experience a hair transplant fail.
4. Clinical Dishonesty
Not every human is an honest human. Most of us expect medical doctors to have a certain level of integrity. But this is not always the case. This is why it is so important to research your hair restoration doctor’s experience and patient reviews. Also, evaluate the clinic’s credibility.
You should expect your hair restoration doctor to pay attention to your concerns and hair replacement goals. They should conduct a thorough evaluation of your medical history, well-being, and diagnosis to determine whether you are a good candidate for follicular unit extraction (FUE), multiple follicular unit (MFU), or strip hair transplant (FUT). If your gut tells you that the doctor does not listen to your concerns, answer your questions or truly care about your outcome, reconsider the path and perhaps find a new doctor to avoid a hair transplant fail.
5. Misunderstanding of Expectations
Misunderstanding the expectations for your surgery is not really a hair transplant fail. After all, hair restoration surgery is only part of an extended process toward regrowing hair. The growth of new hair in transplanted areas can take a while. During this time, you may get frustrated and rush to an early judgment of failure.
Before going into surgery, be aware that results can take 12 months or more. For some men, the process actually requires multiple surgeries. This is why talking openly with your doctor, asking questions to achieve clarity, and being confident in the expectations are so important for the prevention of a perceived hair transplant fail.
Stop worrying about your hair restoration fears or a possibility of a hair transplant fail. Instead, talk to an expert in the field for a clear diagnosis of your hair loss problem and a full explanation of options.
Dr. Arthur Zacco of AZ Hair Restoration is a top hair restoration surgeon in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. With offices in Apex and Raleigh, NC, you can easily schedule an in-person or virtual consultation to learn more about your hair loss and potential treatments. Call us at 919-615-0577 to schedule your visit today.
