In this educational video, noted dermatologist, trichologist and hair transplant surgeon in Hyderabad Dr John Watts answers three key issues raised by hair transplant patients frequently.

Hair Transplant: Side Effects

 In general, hair transplants do not cause any adverse side effects. However, Dr John Watts lists out a few normal side effects which are ‘common’ to all hair transplant patients but they ought not to worry. 

 “If you ask me if there are side effects in hair transplant surgery, I would say Yes! But they are normal,” explains Dr John Watts.

·       Induced Swelling

There is swelling on the scalp that one may notice the next day after the hair transplant but it is very normal and the swelling may disappear in 4 to 5 days. This is an iatrogenic process that is it is induced to protect against any damage to the scalp. “This swelling will go away on its own in a few days,” he explains.

However, in some patients, the swelling on the scalp may sometimes stay as long as 1-2 months, but it happens in a very smaller number of patients and there is nothing to worry about as it disappears after some time.

·       Local Anaesthesia Effects

There is usual numbness on the scalp where transplant has taken place but the feeling wears off in a few days. However, for a few patients, the numbness effect stays for two weeks to a month or more.  

“This is also not unusual but there would be slight discomfort, which too would go away after some time,” informs Dr John. 

Hair Transplant: Is it Safe

In hair transplant surgery, the procedure is performed only at the skin-deep level. Hence, any organ sustaining any injury in the course of the hair transplant procedure is impossible.

“The only issue is that it is a time-consuming procedure taking somewhere between five to six hours as hair follicles have to be transplanted in the recipient from a safe donor site,” explained Dr John Watts.

With over 1900+ hair transplants under his belt, Dr John Watts says that hair transplants are completely safe when certain guidelines are followed.

• You must get it done by a qualified trichologist/hair transplant surgeon with good infrastructure

• All safety guidelines must be followed and the centre must have proper emergency care facilities 

Hair Transplant Vs Minoxidil: Is there a choice?

This question is often asked as some hair loss patients feel that one is an alternative for the other, which is not true. “Both have different uses and one cannot replace the other,” explains Dr John.

Minoxidil medication for hair growth is useful for patients who are noticing early stages of baldness or hair thinning. “It has no use if one has gone completely bald in a spot. In such a situation, hair transplant is the only solution,” informs Dr John.

In particular, Dr John Watts says that Minoxidil provides very good results in both the front and top of the scalp when used during the hair thinning stage. However, one must not mistake Minoxidil as an alternative to a hair transplant.

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