Some may consider bald as beautiful; however, many men---and women, undergo hair transplant surgery to avoid hair loss or baldness. Hair transplantation is considered a cosmetic surgery; nearly 100,000 surgeries were preformed in the United States during 2009, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Though most surgeries replace hair on the head, a small percent of surgeries focus on the eyebrows and facial areas. Hair follicles are taken from the donor site in tiny portions of the skin, called grafts. The grafts are then transferred to the balding areas, also known as the recipient site. Hair transplant side effects are minimal, but important to understand before undergoing the procedure.
Headache and Pain
Pain is common for the first two to three days after the initial surgery at the transplant site. Common prescribed medications for pain include Tylenol 3, Vicodin or Percocet, according to The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Small crusts at the recipient site are common and will fall off with in a few days. You may experience slight itching and discomfort at the transplant site; regular shampooing and use of saline to cleanse the area will minimize the condition suggests Dr. Gregory Piston, hair restoration specialist.
Swelling and Bruising
A mild amount of swelling occurs around the second to third day following surgery. Swelling lasts between three and seven days. The scalp may be tender to touch due to the tugging and pulling of the skin during surgery. The skin area may be slightly red and a small amount of bleeding may occur. One in 50 patients has severe swelling, causing the skin around the eyes to become bruised, similar to a black eye. Bruising will last from seven to 10 days. On the other hand, one in 50 patients has no signs of swelling. A small scar occurs at the donor site. The initial wound takes seven to 10 days to heal before the scar begins to form.
Hair Loss
The original transplanted hair will fall out within the first two to three weeks after surgery. However, the transplanted hair follicle will grow new hair within three months. The growth of the new hair depends on what area the hair was taken and will grow similar in color, texture and length.
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