Extreme massaging - what are the chances that I have damaged/lost grafts? (Photo)

Hello,

At 6 weeks post-transplant, the grafts are typically well-anchored, so it’s unlikely that massaging too hard caused permanent damage. The hairs that fell out were likely in the shedding phase, which is a normal part of the hair transplant process. Growth in the frontal region may take longer to become noticeable, as full results often take 9–12 months to develop. Be patient, and consult your surgeon if concerns persist.

Best regards,
Dr. Marco Barusco

Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding your FUE hair transplant. It’s understandable to be worried about the potential impact of massaging your scalp too vigorously after the procedure. Here are some insights that might help:

Graft Stability: By 6 weeks post-transplant, the grafts are typically well-secured in their new location, making it less likely that vigorous massaging would dislodge them. However, excessive force might still affect the surrounding scalp and hair follicles.

Shedding Phase: It’s normal to experience some shedding of transplanted hairs in the weeks following the procedure. This is part of the natural growth cycle, and new hair growth usually begins within a few months.

Growth Timeline: Hair growth after a transplant can vary significantly from person to person. It is common not to see substantial growth until 6-12 months post-procedure. The lack of growth in the massaged area might not necessarily indicate graft loss.

Consult Your Surgeon: It would be beneficial to consult with your hair transplant surgeon. They can assess your scalp and provide a more definitive answer regarding the condition of your grafts and expected growth.

Gentle Care: Continue to follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions, including gentle handling of your scalp, to support optimal healing and growth.

I hope this information helps alleviate some of your concerns, and I recommend reaching out to your healthcare provider for further evaluation.

Best regards,

At 4.5 months post-FUE transplant, the grafts should generally be securely rooted by that point. However, massaging your scalp too aggressively, especially at the 6-week mark, may have caused trauma to the delicate new grafts. If you noticed a lot of small hairs falling out during that time, it could have been shock loss—a temporary shedding of transplanted or existing hairs, which sometimes occurs as the hair follicles cycle through their growth phases.
The fact that you haven’t seen much growth in the area where you massaged hard could mean that the grafts were stressed or dislodged. However, it’s also possible that this area is just slower to show regrowth, which can vary from person to person.
While it’s difficult to say with certainty whether you lost grafts permanently, the good news is that in most cases, damaged grafts don’t always mean permanent loss. I’d recommend giving it more time, as full growth can take up to 12 months or longer to manifest. If the growth still seems sparse after a year, a follow-up with your surgeon might be necessary to discuss options such as PRP therapy or another touch-up procedure.