Can someone explain what is “shock loss”?

Question

I’m planning to undergo hair transplant. But worried about shock loss.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

The following defines and describes treatments for shock loss. Shock loss is due to the loss of normal hair whether it is from donor site or recipient area.  It can occur with both FUE and strip procedures.  Usually if it occurs it will take place in the recipient area.  
Shock loss from hair transplant can occur due to the following:
Anesthesia-  excessively long procedures taking longer than 12 hours can induce shock loss more likely.  the repeated use of lidocaine, marcaine, and perhaps most importantly epinephrine can affect nourishment of the hairTraumatic harvest-  In strip surgery, traumatic harvest can induce shock loss.  Recipient area trauma- during the incision making process the hairs are either crushed or cut and damaged during the process. 
Ways to minimize shock loss are as follows:
Improve recipient bed and donor area environment.  Make your recipient environment improved by addition of growth factors and/or PRP to help reduce incidence of shock loss to native hairs.Use of Rogaine and Propecia- can help miniaturized hair become more stable and less likely to fall out during procedure9xRobotArtas-  The latest version of the robot can make recipient sites and can determine angle of existing hair and help ensure that the angle will not damage existing hair.  Especially helpful in patients where you are transplanting hair to create densityMinimize anesthesia time and procedure time- We limit number of grafts to a safe number per session.  Extended anesthesia periods and harvest times can cause patients to have a higher chance of shock loss.  The 9x Robot harvests between 1000-1500 grafts per hour making it superior to previous additions and traditional FUE approaches.Best, 
Anil Shah

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

Shock Loss is when hair in the recipient or donor area after a hair transplant. Hair follicles can become traumatized in the recipient area by the process of making the incisions in the scalp into which the extracted grafts are placed. Similarly, hair follicles in the donor area become traumatized by the process of extracting hair with the punch tool. Both types of loss usually resolve within 3 to 6 months of onset. Permanent shock loss is possible, but rare. Visit the link below to learn more about shock loss, as well as other possible complications after hair transplant surgery.

Amir Yazdan, MD · Answer

Shock loss is a condition in which the patient experiences hair loss after a hair transplant. This hair loss effects the surrounding native hairs (not the newly transplanted ones). What is happening is these hairs are falling out due to the trauma or shock that is caused by the surgical implantation of hairs. In some cases, the hair will come back and the shock loss is temporary. In other cases, like if the hairs were weak and on their way to falling out due to natural progression of hair loss, the hair will not come back and the shock loss will be permanent. Whether or not you will experience shock loss depends on a wide variety of factors. Such as, the trauma imposed by the surgery, the condition/health of the native hairs, and your hair loss progression pattern. Shock loss can be prevented if the surgeon is skilled and knowledgeable. Avoiding mega-sessions and recommending medical management methods to prevent future hair loss are great tools to preventing shock loss. Make sure you do your research thoroughly to ensure your surgeon is experienced in preventing shock hair loss.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Transplanted hairs may cause surrounding hairs to fall out due to trauma.  This is sometimes called shock hair loss.  This is something you must discuss with your doctor as you weigh out the risks and benefits.

P. Daniel Ward, MD · Answer

Dear alex1413,Shock loss refers to the loss of hair following a hair transplant. The reasons for the hair loss relate to the "shock" that the existing follicles experience from the procedure. Shock loss is something to be aware of, but not something that should stop you from having the procedure performed. Good luck!

Can someone explain what is “shock loss”?

Answers (6)

Answer: Transplanted hairs may cause surrounding hairs to fall out due to trauma. This is sometimes called shock hair loss.

Answer: Transplanted hairs may cause surrounding hairs to fall out due to trauma. This is sometimes called shock hair loss.

Answer: Shock loss

Answer: Shock loss

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

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

Can someone explain what is “shock loss”?

Answers (6)

Answer: Transplanted hairs may cause surrounding hairs to fall out due to trauma. This is sometimes called shock hair loss.

Answer: Transplanted hairs may cause surrounding hairs to fall out due to trauma. This is sometimes called shock hair loss.

Answer: Shock loss

Answer: Shock loss

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

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