What are the risks and side effects of hair transplantation?

Mar 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Chen Lu

Introduction

In general, hair transplantation refers to a surgical procedure that involves extracting healthy hair follicles and implanting them into the balding areas, allowing them to grow naturally in the new location. The general reference price for hair transplant surgery is 30,000 to 120,000 yuan per session. Noticeable improvement is typically seen 3 to 6 months after the surgery, although symptoms such as swelling and pain may occur.

Generally, hair transplantation refers to a surgical procedure that involves extracting healthy hair follicles and implanting them into the areas affected by hair loss, allowing them to grow naturally in the new location. The usual reference price for hair transplant surgery ranges from 30,000 to 120,000 yuan per session. Noticeable improvement typically occurs 3-6 months after the surgery, although symptoms such as swelling and pain may accompany the procedure. Potential side effects of hair transplant surgery may include infection, bleeding, follicular damage, skin numbness, and scar formation. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Infection

Hair transplant surgery involves making incisions on the scalp. If the surgical environment does not meet standards or sterilization procedures are not strictly followed, bacteria may enter the wound and cause infection. Infection can lead to symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and fever. In severe cases, it may affect the survival of the transplanted follicles, ultimately resulting in surgical failure.

2. Bleeding

During the surgery, small blood vessels in the scalp may be damaged, and minor bleeding is generally considered normal. However, if the surgeon accidentally injures larger blood vessels due to improper technique, or if the patient has an underlying coagulation disorder, excessive bleeding may occur, potentially leading to hematoma formation and delayed postoperative recovery.

3. Follicular Damage

During the extraction and implantation of hair follicles, improper technique by the surgeon may cause damage to the follicles, rendering them inactive. This can prevent normal hair growth, reduce the success rate of the hair transplant, and compromise the overall outcome.

4. Skin Numbness

The surgical procedure may damage nerve endings in the scalp, leading to abnormal sensations such as numbness or tingling in the affected area. Typically, these symptoms subside gradually over time after surgery, although some patients may experience prolonged numbness.

5. Scar Formation

Scarring may occur if the area from which follicles were extracted or the transplanted region sustains accidental injury. Additionally, improper postoperative care may result in visible scarring, which can affect aesthetic outcomes.

In daily life, individuals considering hair transplantation are advised to choose reputable and certified hair transplant institutions. Preoperative communication with the surgeon is essential to understand one's individual condition and potential surgical risks. Postoperatively, strict adherence to medical instructions for recovery is crucial, and any unusual symptoms should be promptly evaluated by a healthcare professional.

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Is hair transplantation good or not?

Hair transplantation, also known as hair follicle transplantation, involves extracting healthy hair follicles from the occipital region, processing them, and then transplanting them to the balding area to enable the follicles to regrow hair. The general reference price for hair follicle transplantation ranges from 30,000 to 120,000 yuan per session. Noticeable improvement is usually observed within 3 to 6 months, although symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain may occur. Hair follicle transplantation is considered a good option.

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Will hair follicles be rubbed off ten days after hair transplantation?

Under normal circumstances, hair follicles usually cannot be easily rubbed off ten days after hair transplantation; however, vigorous rubbing should still be avoided. Around ten days post-transplantation, the transplanted hair follicles are in the early survival stage and have started to establish blood circulation with the surrounding tissue, but their foundation is not yet stable. At this stage, gentle touching or normal cleansing generally will not cause the follicles to fall out.