Does infection destroy the implanted grafts or affect hair transplant?

[ChocoCocoa29]

As the title asks, does infection destroy the implanted/recipient hair grafts or follicles? Does anyone have any experience with infection affecting their hair transplant or their end result?

I'm on my 2nd month post op and I had just realized that I was washing my hair and head under a dirty faucet (please see penultimate photo below). The faucet was filled with black grime and dirt because the person responsible didn't clean it for years, I think. I know I should have done my due diligence and checked the faucet before using it but what is done is done and I am already kicking myself.

On my first month I didn't use the faucet as I was exclusively using filtered water. There were no pimples.

On the 31st day, I started using the faucet and this is when I started getting pimples everyday. There were new pimples everyday but I did not have six (6) simultaneous pimples in a day. At one point,  it even had this web-like strings (please see last picture). I will attach in this post samples of those pimples. Just last week I had lots of pimples and I sent them to my doctor who now prescribed me antibiotics.

Question: So what would I expect to be the end result in view of the possible infections that I had or have? Would I see patches in my recipient area because the infection destroyed the hair grafts underneath?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you very much.

Edited January 10, 2021 by ChocoCocoa29

[Richie888]

I think you're being a bit tough on yourself. Obviously clean water is essential but I think that is just standard pimples of the new hairs pushing through. The one thing I would emphasise is when you are popping them it is ESSENTIAL that clean water is used and and ideally a clean needle and not finger popping as that is when you are exposing yourself to infection. Besides that it looks like they are growing in ok so just relax. 

[ciaus]

3 hours ago, ChocoCocoa29 said:

On my first month I didn't use the faucet as I was exclusively using filtered water. There were no pimples.

Your grafts are fine, by 10 days they are secure and anchored to their new blood supplies under the skin like the rest of your hairs. Pimples are just mild infections caused by dirt and oil blockages under the skin, and they are not enough to destroy hair follicles. Just let them heal on their own and keep using clean water.

-On popping them, I wouldn't bother with that. @Richie888 mentions using a needle and that is a cleaner way of pushing out the infected puss, but when you do that there's still a chance some of the puss under the skin spreads out to surrounding tissue and causes additional pimples.

 

Edited January 10, 2021 by ciaus

[pkipling]

For your peace of mind, I'm echoing what the others have said. First of all, pimples are completely normal and just an unpleasant part of the recovery process. Doctors will suggest that you leave them be and not pop them (as they can lead to infection), but god knows I couldn't do that when I had pimples on my scalp post-HT and always popped them anyway. 

Also, the grafts are completely secure by Day 10, so you can rest easy in that regard. Keep your scalp clean, avoid popping the pimples, and if you do, take extra caution to be mindful of your sanitation practices. 

[ChocoCocoa29]

On 1/11/2021 at 12:08 AM, Richie888 said:

I think you're being a bit tough on yourself. Obviously clean water is essential but I think that is just standard pimples of the new hairs pushing through. The one thing I would emphasise is when you are popping them it is ESSENTIAL that clean water is used and and ideally a clean needle and not finger popping as that is when you are exposing yourself to infection. Besides that it looks like they are growing in ok so just relax. 

Thank you for the affirmation! My doctor told me to use my fingers by putting pressure on the sides of the pimple towards to center. I clean my hands with soap and alchohol prior to using this. Thank you!

[ChocoCocoa29]

On 1/11/2021 at 7:23 AM, pkipling said:

For your peace of mind, I'm echoing what the others have said. First of all, pimples are completely normal and just an unpleasant part of the recovery process. Doctors will suggest that you leave them be and not pop them (as they can lead to infection), but god knows I couldn't do that when I had pimples on my scalp post-HT and always popped them anyway. 

Also, the grafts are completely secure by Day 10, so you can rest easy in that regard. Keep your scalp clean, avoid popping the pimples, and if you do, take extra caution to be mindful of your sanitation practices. 

Thank you for reassuring me! are you satisfied with the results you have? May I see a picture (if thats okay).

[ChocoCocoa29]

On 1/11/2021 at 12:25 AM, ciaus said:

Your grafts are fine, by 10 days they are secure and anchored to their new blood supplies under the skin like the rest of your hairs. Pimples are just mild infections caused by dirt and oil blockages under the skin, and they are not enough to destroy hair follicles. Just let them heal on their own and keep using clean water.

Thank you! I feel better! do you have any reference about the grafts being secure after the ten day period? thanks!

[ciaus]

5 hours ago, ChocoCocoa29 said:

Thank you! I feel better! do you have any reference about the grafts being secure after the ten day period? thanks!

Yes at the link here:

https://www.bernsteinmedical.com/research/graft-anchoring-in-hair-transplantation/

 

 

[pkipling]

On 1/12/2021 at 7:54 AM, ChocoCocoa29 said:

Thank you for reassuring me! are you satisfied with the results you have? May I see a picture (if thats okay).

Of course! Here's my Post-op > 4 Months > 6 Months > 12 Months progress pic.