Hair transplant: predict risk of shock loss ?

Question

I am 45 with NW3v male pattern baldness, mainly in the hairline and diffusely thinned across the top. As I have been microneedling with 1.5-2mm depth with no shedding, could it be a predictor that my scalp is more 'used to it' and less likely to experience shock loss? I am terrified of the idea of having a strip cut out of the donor area then stitching it back together. Is there anything that I need to prepare myself for other than the severe pain afterwards?

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

There is no way to "predict" shock hair loss.  It would be in your interest to see a doctor for a detailed conversation regarding your fears.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

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 hair
Traumatic 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 procedure
9xRobotArtas-  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 density
Minimize 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.
Avoid damaging existing hairs when harvesting- Handheld harvesting can damage roots of proximal hairs.  The use of the 9XARTAS can help decrease chance of this occurring.

Baubac Hayatdavoudi, MD · Answer

A great first step would be an online consultation. Often you can submit photos to the top hair restoration surgeons in the United States for a complimentary evaluation which will include graft amount and pricing. This should help lead you in the right direction. Having multiple online consultations with different doctors and compare evaluations and hair loss plans.

Jayanthy Ravindran, MS, DNB, MRCS · Answer

Hey there,You are norwood type three, so you'd need a hair transplantation for the parietal areas essentially. Hair transplantation in the vicinity of health native hairs could induce shock loss to them. To prevent that PRP injections are given soon after the completion of the surgery. micro-needle also works on the premise of PRP where in small aggregations of platelets do the job. With advances in techniques of hair graft harvesting there is absolutely no need for a strip of skin to be cut and then wound repaired. FUE is a very agile technique and results are at par or even better compared to FUT techniques.
  Hope this helps.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

The main cause of shock loss is the use of the anesthetics, not the surgery. Men your age, have a reduced risk because of your age and if your balding has not been active, the risk is even lower; however, the use of finasteride is still the best way to prevent shock loss

Hair transplant: predict risk of shock loss ?

Answers (5)

More Hair Transplant Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (5)

More Hair Transplant Questions

7 weeks in - and hair falling out when I shampoo? Also when can I use a gym and sauna?

Accidentally had alcohol 3 days post HT surgery, should I be concerned?

Can we use derma roller after hair transplant? If yes,after how many months?

I am 20. Should I get a hair transplant? (Photo)

My eyebrows have been sparse since I was born. They just won't grow. How can I fix this?

I'm currently 20 years old and have severe MPB can I have a hair transplant at the age that I am? (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS