Graft survival

[change3]

Hello everybody

 

I am interested to know the answer to the following questions - post hair transplant.

 

1) if a hair is pulled between day 3 and day 10, but the hair is not removed from the scalp, would the newly transplanted follicle remain undamaged and create newly transplanted hair?

 

2) if a hair is pulled between day 3 and day 10, and the hair is removed from the scalp but the follicle is not, would the newly transplanted follicle remain undamaged and create newly transplanted hair?

 

I would be particularly interested to hear from any physicians on the forum.

Edited January 13, 2014 by change3

[NEWHAIRPLEASE]

1.. I wouldn't risk it

2. I wouldn't risk it.

I think most grafts are very secure after 10 days.

[change3]

Thank you for your comment although it doesn't answer the two questions.

 

I am asking because I want to understand the biology of the grafts post hair transplant. I am not considering doing either of these two actions!

 

I assume the 10 days you reference is based on Dr. Bernstein's study - removing the grafts with a needle holder.

 

However, a number of reputable clinics like Shapiro Medical Group, Dr Feller, Dr Devroye and HDC recommend massaging the scalp from 5 days so the grafts must secure by then (with the exception of using a needle holder!)

 

The two questions are as follows:

 

1) if a hair is pulled between day 3 and day 10, but the hair is not removed from the scalp, would the newly transplanted follicle remain undamaged and create newly transplanted hair?

 

2) if a hair is pulled between day 3 and day 10, and the hair is removed from the scalp but the follicle is not, would the newly transplanted follicle remain undamaged and create newly transplanted hair?

 

>

Edited January 14, 2014 by change3

[Janna]

What you do with a graft at day 3 to day 10 can have vastly different outcome. I don't understand your questions. How are you able to remove a hair at post op day #3 without removing the follicle too?

[change3]

Thank you for your reply

 

When you tweeze your eyebrows or wax your leg hair, a hair is removed, but the hair follicle remains intact. The hair regrows.

 

Amended the questions - hopefully makes more sense.

 

1) if a hair is pulled (or gently tugged) between day 3 and day 10, but the hair is not removed from the scalp (suggesting the hair follicle remains intact), would the newly transplanted follicle remain undamaged and create newly transplanted hair?

 

2) if a hair is pulled between day 3 and day 10, and the hair is removed from the scalp but the follicle is not (in the same way a hair is plucked from an eyebrow), would the newly transplanted follicle remain undamaged and create newly transplanted hair?

 

Just trying to understand how prone to damage a hair follicle is after a hair transplant - I understand once a hair follicle is dislodged it won't create new hair.

[Janna]

If the follicle stays intact under the skin, then no, that follicle with hair pulled out or not should produce new hair in due time.

 

I'd caution, however, to NOT take the tweezers and pull the hairs from a newly transplanted graft. What senario would a patient need to pull the transplanted hairs out? The only time it'd be recommended it if you saw a transplanted hair that basically stalled - this means that the transplanted hair never shed within the first 2 months after surgery and just continued to linger on for months after. I've suggested to some patients to gently pull these out. They come out with any resistence. A new hair will grow in it's place shortly after.

[change3]

Thank you for the response Janna

[Since21]

What senario would a patient need to pull the transplanted hairs out? The only time it'd be recommended it if you saw a transplanted hair that basically stalled - this means that the transplanted hair never shed within the first 2 months after surgery and just continued to linger on for months after. I've suggested to some patients to gently pull these out. They come out with any resistence. A new hair will grow in it's place shortly after.

 

You're not referring to transplanted hairs that never shed and continued to grow?

[change3]

My interpretation would be - no.

 

The reason for my question.

 

Can follicles be damaged in any other way post HT with the exception of removing them from the scalp ?

 

For example.

 

If there is traction on the newly transplanted hair from massaging the scalp between day 5 and 8, would the pull on the hair damage the follicle and would the follicle generate new hair?

Edited January 19, 2014 by change3