When is It Safe to Have a Hair Transplant After Radiation Treatments?

Question

I am a 37 year old female and received 6 weeks of radiation for a brain tumor. The last treatment was over 6 months ago, and I still have a 3 inch X 4 inch bald spot on the crown of my head covered with only light fuzz, while the rest of the hair has filled in nicely.

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Dear 5928anonThanks for the question. If it would do, so everybody should have hair loss. Nowadays everybody has a TV or smartphone. The answer is "no" it does not effect your hair transplantation. I wish you all the best.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

You can have hair transplant surgery after radiation treatment as long as your radiation doctor and hair transplant doctor are in agreement.  Your skin / scalp must be fully healed

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

After the radiation inflammation is gone it may result in scarring alopecia. As long as the course of radiation treatment is complete and a period of at least six months has elapsed, I will consider a biopsy to exclude active inflammation before doing a test procedure as a prelude to a full surgery. If the area is small to begin with, then the actual treatment can be done in lieu of a test.

Kevin Ende, MD · Answer

I would suggest waiting 12 months from the date of your last treatment with radiation since the hair may still grow in. There is a chance that hair transplants will not work because of the fibrosis from radiation. Although you could try hair transplants, several different types of flaps may be better options. You would still be at a higher risk than the average person undergoing a flap procedure due to the radiation changes.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

I would wait another 3-6 months, since this hair may still grow. Flap reconstRUction is what I usually due for this since grafts don't seem to do as well as flaps post radiation.

When is It Safe to Have a Hair Transplant After Radiation Treatments?

Answers (9)

Answer: Hair transplant after brain tumor

Answer: Hair transplant after brain tumor

Answer: When to have surgery of the scalp after radiation treatments.

Answer: When to have surgery of the scalp after radiation treatments.

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.

When is It Safe to Have a Hair Transplant After Radiation Treatments?

Answers (9)

Answer: Hair transplant after brain tumor

Answer: Hair transplant after brain tumor

Answer: When to have surgery of the scalp after radiation treatments.

Answer: When to have surgery of the scalp after radiation treatments.

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.