If I get a hair transplant and decide I do not like the results, can the implanted hairs be removed?

Question

What are the different options available to have the transplanted hairs removed? After all, the transplanted hair is permanent, that is a good thing if I am happy with the results, a very bad thing if I am not. Thanks.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

A good hair transplant result is like big foot.  Hairy but no one believes it.  A bad result is like Herpes. It's for life.You can probably try to remove the hairs with laser hair removal but this will likely make it look worse

Sean R. Weiss, MD, FACS · Answer

The transplanted hair could be extracted, but this would leave scars in the area.  Alternatively you could have laser hair removal which would eliminate the hair without the need for incisions.

Jack Fisher, MD · Answer

If you have a state of the art FUE procedure, there should not be any scarring at the recipient site. You should be able to shave the area and be pleased with the result.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Theoretically this is possible. In general, this would not be advised as it would lead to scars in each place where hairs are removed. To remove hairs from the scalp an incision needs to be made in the scalp. Even though this is a small (less than 1 mm) incision it is important to understand the basic principle of wound healing : "anytime an incision is made in the human skin a small scar will result"So if 1500 hairs are placed into an area of thinning and an individual does not like the result, the individual can have them removed but it would take a few hours to remove them and the patient may be left with visible scars - possible worse in appearance than before the transplant. Occassionally I will get a referral from a patient who had a hair transplant somewhere and wants a few grafts removed. This is possible - and we can remove them.  Another scenario is a patient who had "plugs" placed into the scalp from a hair transplant performed many years ago - we often remove these plugs, divide them into smaller follicular units and place them back into the scalp. The key lesson here for readers is that it's important to plan and carry out the procedure correctly from the very beginning - you do not want to plan to remove hairs down the road. This may lead to an unnacceptable result on account of scarring.

Karen Stolman, MD · Answer

If you desire removal of unwanted transplanted hairs, the NeoGraft punch device can be used to remove them or a similar small sized (1-2mm) punch biopsy tool.  Dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons have daily experience with use of these punch tools. This is at the small risk of residual scar, so not an ideal route to go.  It is best if you take more time to plan your hair transplant carefully with your physician and/or technicians and make sure your needs and desires are well met.

Roger Bassin, MD · Answer

Certainly a question I have not heard before... Having said that you certainly can get the grafts removed if you were not happy, but it seems counter intuitive to have hair transplanted and then removed. It would most likely cost you 2 procedures to be back where you started. Just make sure your treatment 'plan' agrees with you so the hair is replaced precisely where you want if. Good luck!

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

The answer is no. The way to assure yourself of getting a quality hair transplant is to meet many patients who had it done. We offer once a month open house events for this opportunity

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

you can remove hair from your body using laser hair removal but on the scalp you are stuck with it, choosing a doctor with experience most important in HT surgery.

If I get a hair transplant and decide I do not like the results, can the implanted hairs be removed?

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