When is It Safe to Have a Hair Transplant After Radiation Treatments?

asked 2 years ago by 5928anon in Arizona
Latest answer by Jack Fisher, MD
Question viewed 293 times

I am a 37 year old female and received 6 weeks of radiation for a brain tumor. The last treatment was over 6 months ago, and I still have a 3 inch X 4 inch bald spot on the crown of my head covered with only light fuzz, while the rest of the hair has filled in nicely.

5 answers to When is It Safe to Have a Hair Transplant After Radiation Treatments?

Hair Transplant after Radiation Treatments

I always wait at least one year after radiation treatments for the scalp to recover. I have done several hair transplants in your situation. The problem is the scalp never returns to normal and the growth of transplanted hair in the radiated area is never quite as successful as a normal scalp.

Jack Fisher, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.fisherhaircenter.com

Hair Transplants after Radiation Therapy

Because you have "fuzz", normal hair growth may return. If there is no improvement over the next 6 months I would use a flap from the surrounding scalp to treat your hair loss because the results are immediate and normal uniform density is achieved. Hair density is less than normal after hair transplants, it will take 9-12 months to see significant improvement after transplantation, and hair growth will always be compromised in radiated skin.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Allow time for hair to regrow

Again, I would wait for at least a year for the hair to regrow! If you have small 'fuzz' hairs already that is very promising that the hair will come in. You may also want to apply some topical minoxidil (Rogaine) to encourage those hairs to come in sooner. Good luck!

Nicole E. Rogers, MD
New Orleans Dermatologist

Hair transplant after brain tumor

I would suggest waiting 12 months from the date of your last treatment with radiation since the hair may still grow in. There is a chance that hair transplants will not work because of the fibrosis from radiation. Although you could try hair transplants, several different types of flaps may be better options. You would still be at a higher risk than the average person undergoing a flap procedure due to the radiation changes.

Kevin Ende, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

When to have surgery of the scalp after radiation treatments.

I would wait another 3-6 months, since this hair may still grow. Flap reconstRUction is what I usually due for this since grafts don't seem to do as well as flaps post radiation.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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