I'm 1 month post FUE hair transplant. Is this normal? (Photo)

Question

5/6/16 I received a 2,000 graft FUE hair transplant. However a month later, most of the implanted grafts have fallen out. I was told this is normal, but my expectation was a few would fall out and the photo below shows the majority have lost. 1.) Is this amount normal? 2.) Regarding the fallen follicles, is the bulb on the bottom of the strand normal to fall out as well; isn't that part important? I'm trying to remain calm and not have anxiety but it's as if I'm back to square 1. Thank you.

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear ConcernedFUE.PT,Thank you for writing in with this question. The short answer is yes, this is normal.  It is completely normal for up to 80% of the follicles to shed their hairs, and I rarely see less than 50% of the follicles shed their hairs, even when concomitantly performing a PRP with ACell® procedure to aid in the healing in of the new grafts.Let’s examine why this is happening.  Unlike nail beds, which make our fingernails for the duration of our lives, hair follicles make hair in cycles.  The timing of the cycles is as follows:Anagen (growing phase): 2-7 yearsCatagen (short phase before resting phase): 2-3 weeksTelogen (resting phase): 3-8 monthsEvery single day about 50 to 100 hair follicles on a person's head (with no hair loss) enter a regressive phase called Catagen, and then a resting phase called Telogen, which lasts a total of about 3-8 months.  As a result, every day people shed 50-100 hairs, and at the same time 50-100 hairs re-enter the growth, or Anagen phase.  If a person has no hair loss, it looks the same all year round.  It's like going up to a pine tree, a tree that appears never to lose its needles.....yet there are thousands of pine needles under the pine tree.....like your scalp hair, the pine tree is constantly making and shedding pine needles.....on your scalp, your follicles are constantly making and shedding hairs. The stress of a hair restoration procedure typically triggers most of the follicles to come out of the anagen phase of growth and enter catagen, followed by 3-8 months of telogen.  The hairs re-enter the anagen, or growing phase, after 3-8 months.  This is just how normal hair follicles behave.  By 12 months I would consider you at the end of the "new hair" growth.  Some people may take up to 15 or even 18 months to see the full effects from a hair restoration procedure. There is no need to make appointments with doctors about this issue.  I hope this information is helpful to you.Kind Regards,Ken Anderson, MD

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

In general it takes days to weeks for transplanted grafts to shed.  If you are having shedding and you are concerned, follow up with your doctor.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. NeoGraft Hair Restoration runs a normal path of shedding and regrowth. I suggest that you consult with the board certified facial plastic surgeon who performed your procedure for an in-person examination to answer your additional questions. Best wishes,

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

The photos you've provided appear normal.It is expected that the shafts of hair will shed after hair transplantation (as you have pointed out). However, the follicular bulbs under the skin remain.From these hair follicles you can expect new hair growth over the next several months.Usually, by about one year, you'll see your final results. Thanks for sharing!

Jeffrey W. Hall, MD · Answer

Do not be alarmed by what has happened. This is normal after hair transplants and is called shedding. The amount of shedding varies from individual to individual. It can be lessened with a supplement we use in our practice called HelpHair as well as laser therapy. In the end the hair should regrow and the final result will sometimes take a year. The hair that you showed is the hair shaft and the follicle should still be there to regrow a new hair shaft. The follicle contains the cells that make the hair shaft. It will be a good idea to follow up with your hair surgeon to get their perspective as well.

I'm 1 month post FUE hair transplant. Is this normal? (Photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Shedding of Hair Shafts Expected after FUE Hair Transplantation #hairtransplantinseattle

Answer: Shedding of Hair Shafts Expected after FUE Hair Transplantation #hairtransplantinseattle

Answer: Hair Graft Recovery

Answer: Hair Graft Recovery

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I'm 1 month post FUE hair transplant. Is this normal? (Photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Shedding of Hair Shafts Expected after FUE Hair Transplantation #hairtransplantinseattle

Answer: Shedding of Hair Shafts Expected after FUE Hair Transplantation #hairtransplantinseattle

Answer: Hair Graft Recovery

Answer: Hair Graft Recovery

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about FUE Hair Transplant

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