Transplanted hair not falling off after 5 months! Is this something to be worried about?

Question

HI, I got a transplant 5 months ago about 6600 follicles. I have noticed that transplanted hair are not falling off, though some have begun to grow, but some are still in that same state, neither growing nor falling off. Also, some transplanted hair, have broken from shaft but have not fallen off. Is this something to be worried about? I am using doc prescribed medicines and minoxidil. Thanks in advance.

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear gatarshoaib,Thank you for writing in with this question.  There are 2 things that could be going on here.  The hairs that are growing are likely alive and well.  In experienced hands, up to about half of the grafts that are transplanted will simply continue to grow where they were placed.  So that’s a good thing.The grafts that were placed 5 months ago and not growing are a concern.  If they have literally not grown a bit, and are 2-3mm long, and have not changed in 5 months, it is a possibility that the graft was dead prior to its insertion into your scalp.  It’s your own tissue, so it’s not generating a large inflammatory response like a sliver of wood sitting in your scalp would, and your body may simply be tolerating the dead follicle.  I have seen this in patients who have had a transplant elsewhere and come to me for a repair of the work done or for a second procedure to add hair.  In these patients I sometime see a tiny hair that looks like a freshly planted graft, but it’s been 6+ months since the surgery, and clearly it’s a dead follicle sitting in the scalp.There are many reasons why follicles can perish prior to implantation.  The grafts were outside the body for more than 3-4 hours.  A 6,600 follicle hair restoration procedure is likely the largest case I have heard about/read about in over a decade of practicing exclusively hair restoration surgery.  In my opinion, it would require a team of 10-12 technicians to dissect that hair in a timely fashion.  The hairs don’t survive forever outside the body, and if you were there for 15 hours or some extended period to have all those follicles inserted in your scalp, then I would look to that as a primary cause.The grafts dried up or warmed up: if you let the follicles in the petri dishes warm up for too long, or if they become desiccated (eg: dried out), then they will perish.  Preventing this is a function of the experience, dedication, and talent of the physician and technicians who performed your surgery.The grafts were handled improperly while outside your scalp: grafts can easily be perish if they are not handled in the correct manner by experienced hands.  Again, preventing this is a function of the experience, dedication, and talent of the physician and technicians who performed your surgery.Bottom line is that it may be something to be concerned about.  A visit to the physician who performed your surgery is indicated for a micro-exam of your scalp and a very close inspection of the non-growing grafts.  This will better determine if they are alive or merely foreign bodies that your body is tolerating.  I hope this information is helpful to you.

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

Thank you for this interesting question.  The good news is, it's not a bad thing for your hair to grown straight from implantation.  Eventually, they will fall out and regrow.  6,600 follicles is a large session.  You have about a year or so for all of these follicles to grow and sleep.  Hang in there!

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Something does not sound normal with your story.  I've never head of someone having over 6000 grafts in one surgery.  It is not typical for hairs to stay in the same state for over 5 months.  You probably need to see your doctor for a recheck.

John Kahen, MD · Answer

This is rare, but I have seen it happen to my patients in the past. This is nothing too be alarmed about, but be sure to attend your follow up appointments and bring it to the attention of your hair restoration surgeon so you are both on the same page.

Rashid M. Rashid, PhD, MD · Answer

This is rare but it does happen.  It is not a bad sign.  If any concerns, do go in for a follow up for an exam.

Transplanted hair not falling off after 5 months! Is this something to be worried about?

Answers (9)

Answer: Rare, but it happens and it's nothing too worry about

Answer: Rare, but it happens and it's nothing too worry about

Answer: Rare

Answer: Rare

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Transplanted hair not falling off after 5 months! Is this something to be worried about?

Answers (9)

Answer: Rare, but it happens and it's nothing too worry about

Answer: Rare, but it happens and it's nothing too worry about

Answer: Rare

Answer: Rare

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Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.