| |
 1)
Unexpected poor or slow growth.
All clients grow most of the transplanted
hair, infact most grow close to 100% of the transplanted hair.
But because of individual healing characteristics and other
factors that we don’t understand, some client’s
hair will not grow as well as or as fast as expected. This
doesn’t mean that the procedure will not be a success.
It just means it will require more transplants to get the
expected results.
2) Infection
Extremely unusual. If this happens it is usually in the form
of folliculitis which is just small pimples occurring throughout
the transplanted area. This is like acne and is easily controlled
with antibiotics. It does not seem to affect the ultimate
hair growth.
3) Pain
There is some pain after the procedure. But this is kept to
a very minimum with preoperative medication. Some patients
state this twilight, relaxed state is in fact enjoyable. Pain
in the post-operative period, 12 to 24 hours, is managed with
mild pain pills. Sometimes simply Paracetamol will control
it.
4) Scarring
Scarring is very uncommon especially in the recipient site.
Occasionally there will be some excessive scarring in the
donor area. This is usually caused by getting the strip too
wide or sometimes it is simply from the patients tendency
to form excessive scars.
5) Pigmentation
Change in pigmentation, either too much or too little, is
usually only temporary and if permanent is covered by the
hair when it grows in.
6) Dents or bumps in the recipient sites
These are small indentations or bumps where the grafts are
placed. These improve with time and eventually become undetectable.
With follicular transplantation and its extremely small graft
size, this is very rare.
7) Cyst Formation
Some patients, especially those with oily skin, for 3 or 4
months will have small cysts form in their scalp. These sometimes
result in large pimples. They are usually expressed and gradually
clear uneventfully. It is thought to be caused by fragments
of epidermis caught under the surface of the skin. It eventually
clears and does not interfere with hair growth.
8) Swelling under the eyes and around
the forehead
This occurs now in less than 5%. It used to be a very common
problem. It begins by the third or fourth day and travels
from the top of the forehead and disappears beneath the eyes.
It can be very mild and hardly noticeable or it can be a major
cosmetic problem for a day or two. Usually wearing glasses
conceals it.
9) Temporary loss of existing hair
The shock of surgery on the existing hair in the recipient
area sometimes causes some of the hair to temporarily go into
a resting stage and fall out. This is temporary and the hair
usually grows back in a month or two. However, the existing
hair that was destined to permanently fall out in the next
few months even without the shock of surgery will not re-grow.
10) Temporary loss of sensation on
top of the scalp
This can occur if the nerves in the back of the scalp are
cut. This will persist for about 3 or 4 months, and always
returns.
11) Design not compatible with progressive
nature of male pattern baldness
This means that if too much of the permanent donor hair is
used in the early procedures, there may not be enough left
to cover areas that continue to become bald. Because male
pattern baldness continues throughout life, each transplant
must be designed so that there will be enough donor hair to
maintain a natural appearance throughout life.
12) Dissatisfaction due to misunderstandings
These usually fall into 3 categories:
A) Patient expecting more density
than transplants can provide.
B) Patient not realising that male
pattern baldness progresses and future procedures may be necessary.
C) Patients not realising it may
require multiple procedures and thinking it can always be
done in one session. |
|
|
