Do I Need a Second Hair Transplant?

July 23, 2019

Do I need a second hair transplant? This is a common question we hear, and what you may not know is that it is normal for patients to go through a second hair transplant, or even a third in order to achieve their desired result. Hair transplantation is a process that requires time and patience. Additionally, it’s a process that requires various steps and a lot of work from you after your procedures are completed. After all, hair transplantation is a lot like dentistry. You don’t clean your teeth once and expect to never have to maintain your health again. The same is true of hair restoration procedures.

There are many reasons why you would choose to undergo multiple hair transplants. But remember. This isn’t weird or uncommon. Frequently, getting more than one hair transplant is the norm. In fact, we recommend two transplants to nearly all of our patients. Unless they are showing minimal signs of patchiness or balding, it’s usually what we would consider a requirement to achieve the desired results. And if you haven’t heard that before, now you know!

You May Need a Second Hair Transplant

If the bald area that needs to be transplanted is too large, requiring more than 5,000 follicular grafts, a second session may be required. In fact, it would be shocking if this were not the case. Most patients shouldn’t really undergo that many grafts at once. Additionally, the time and labor to do so would be very straining on both the patient and your surgeon.

The number of required grafts will depend on the size of the area to be transplanted, and whether there are enough healthy grafts available at the donor site. The texture of the hair will also determine the number of grafts required. For example, thicker, curly hair follicles often appear more full than straight hair, requiring fewer grafts to give the appearance of a full head of hair.

After your initial hair transplant, you may decide that you want a fuller, bushier look to your hair and opt for a second round. There is a limit to how many follicular grafts may be transplanted successfully in one session. And be cautious, especially if you’re considering leaving the country for your hair transplant procedure. You should not transplant any more than 4,000 grafts in a sitting. And even that is pushing it for most patients.

When it comes to getting a second hair transplant, some patients choose to return for their second procedure around 10 months to a year later. This gives the first round of transplants time to heal and get established. The second transplant fills in any thinning areas that need better coverage.

This is Not the “End All Be All”

It is important to remember that even though hair transplants are very effective at restoring natural hair and increasing its volume and thickness, hair transplants do not address the root causes of hair loss. Hair loss occurs progressively in stages. One of the hormones responsible for hair loss in both men and women is dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT attacks hair follicles causing them to shrink before eventually falling out permanently. For some reason, hair follicles at the top of the head tend to be more vulnerable to DHT than the hair at the back and sides. This newly transplanted hair will remain invulnerable to DHT.

However, hair transplant surgery can’t stop the progression of male pattern hair loss. While the newly transplanted hair will be permanent, the rest of the hair may still continue to thin and fall out. Many people are unaware that up to 30% of male hair transplant patients end up having a second procedure. This is to fill in any gaps or thinning areas that have resulted from the natural progression of pattern hair loss. The front of the hairline and crown areas often need the most attention.

Some patients prefer to split treatments into multiple sessions for budgetary reasons. Spacing treatments 6-12 months apart can help customers with limited finances. There are other benefits as well, working in multiple sessions can feel more comfortable for people that desire to be discreet about their hair transplant. Multiple transplants are also helpful for assessing the success of the transplanted follicular grafts. You and your surgeon can review and determine the right number of grafts that will give a natural look that is neither too full nor too thin.

Methods for Your Second Hair Tranplant

There are two primary methods of hair transplantation, the first is Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). This is performed by removing a small strip of skin and hair from the back of the scalp. Hair transplant techniques have improved a lot in recent years and expert surgeons like ours know how to minimize any visible scarring. This procedure can leave scars in the form of small horizontal lines at the back of the scalp, especially if you had a FUT many years ago it is likely that your scarring is more visible than it would be today.

The second method of hair transplantation is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), which is performed by extracting individual grafts from the back of the head. This technique is less invasive than FUT and leaves behind minuscule circular scars that are easily disguised by the surrounding hair. Often FUE techniques are employed for secondary hair transplants, especially if the goal is to hide scarring from past FUT procedures. Ultimately both methods are safe and effective and you and your doctor can discuss which is the most appropriate to address your needs.

The best way to determine if a second or third hair transplant is the right course of action for you is to schedule a complimentary consultation. You can schedule a consultation on our website at your convenience. During your consultation, we can discuss your past history with hair transplantation and decide the most appropriate treatment plan moving forward. If you’re new to Best Hair Transplant and you’re looking for a second hair transplant procedure, welcome! If you’re already one of our loyal patients, we’re excited that you’re ready to finish crafting your fabulous new look and to be a part of your hair restoration journey.

SUFFERING FROM HAIR LOSS?

Best Hair Transplant is the best place to schedule your hair transplant in Los Angeles. We’ve helped both men and women regrow their lost hair. But don’t take our word for it. We suggest learning as much as possible about hair restoration. Do so prior to making a decision on how to address your hair loss. Not every procedure is right for everyone.

At Best Hair Transplant, we’re proud of our results and happy to provide hair restoration services. Additionally, we’re proud to make hair transplants affordable and help you save money on a variety of hair transplants.

To ensure your ease of mind, you can view our customer recommendations HERE. Furthermore, you can also see our Google reviews and Yelp reviews. We can’t wait to help you start restoring your lost hair.