6 Cases of Hair Transplant Failure

Unfortunately, the proliferation of illegal, black-market clinics has made botched hair transplants a severe issue for patients to consider. Patients who attend these clinics are drawn in by the promise of excellent results at lower prices, but they may suffer from scars, infections, and poor outcomes.

Due to faulty surgical techniques and untrained doctors, a failed hair transplant might result in abnormal hairlines, noticeable scarring, or inadequate hair growth. So, if you're considering hair transplantation, how can you know which clinics are legitimate? 

Can a Hair Transplant Go Wrong?

Even though hair transplants are highly advanced and cutting-edge therapies they, like any other medical procedure, have risks and problems.

Sometimes a botched transplant can go wrong, leaving the scalp in worse shape than before. Common causes of poor transplant outcomes include:

• A clinic with obsolete technology and practices;
• Poor communication prior to and after your operation;
• Poor usage of anesthesia during hair restoration surgery;
• Neglectful aftercare and inadequate advice;
• False promises and overselling results;
• Poorly qualified medical personnel.

The increase in subpar hair transplants has not gone unnoticed in the industry. They employ Google-paid advertisements with sophisticated websites that rank high in searches to trick patients into believing they are authentic. They may also misrepresent customer testimonials and employee qualifications.

"Surgeons" may not have any medical training and could be anyone from cleaners to taxi drivers trying to earn a fast profit. 

6 Signs of a Bad Hair Transplant

1. Scarring

Scarring is one of the most prevalent (and visible) indications of a botched hair transplant. This is largely due to a surgeon who is inadequately trained and uses archaic techniques or fails to use new technology. Scars not only detract from the overall appearance of the hair transplant, but they can also prevent hair from sprouting in that area permanently.

2. Unnatural-looking hairline

The primary goal of a hair transplant is to restore a natural and healthy-looking hairline. Only a competent surgeon can place implanted hair in such a way as to do this. They will typically plan and draw the hairline prior to the treatment to give patients an idea of what to expect.

On the other hand, surgeons with medical qualifications and expertise from unregulated clinics will be able to implant hair correctly. The hairline will appear unnatural, often revealing scars, and will ultimately be unflattering to the patient.

3. Scalp necrosis

Scalp necrosis is when the skin tissue dies and turns a darker color. The primary causes are:

• Improper hair graft placement;
• Mega-sessions, when more than 2,500 grafts are implanted in a single session;
• Physical trauma caused during surgery;
• Excessive smoking;
• Dangerous incisions.

Scalp necrosis is one of the most serious botched problems you might experience. For this reason, you should only consider professional doctors for your surgery.

4. Poor hair growth

While it is usual for people to lose implanted hair after surgery, hair should re-grow within a year.

If you wait much longer, you are more likely to have had a botched hair restoration procedure.

Improper surgical methods and implant handling are two common causes of transplanted hair failure.

Follicles may have been injured or perished during the operation, rendering them incapable of producing new hair. Ineffective aftercare is another reason for severe hair loss after your surgery. Professional hair transplant clinics frequently schedule follow-up appointments or instructions, but black-market clinics do not provide adequate advice and care.

5. Scalp infection

Infections, like any other medical operation, are frequently caused by inadequate hygiene and filthy, unsterilized equipment. They can also result from contaminated work surfaces and treatment rooms.

6. Cyst formation 

Multiple cysts can be an obvious and concerning sign of inadequate hair restoration surgery.

Ultimately, they degrade both the recuperation process and the appearance of your facility.

Cysts can originate from a variety of sources. A study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology identified poor extraction, blunt equipment, excessive use of tumescence fluid, and severe incisions as the primary causes.

The bottom line

It should also be noted that hair transplants can go awry, even at reputable facilities. Sometimes it's because a patient didn't follow basic aftercare instructions or experienced an unanticipated consequence.