My transplanted hairs chronically fall and grow 5 years after surgery

[Rob83]

Hello

i’ve been reading this forum for a while and looking at similar experiences to mine

I had a FUT HT to cover a receding hairline of less than 1650 grafts with close to 5 years ago with excellent results

The problem is that close to 2 years ago, the transplanted hairs started falling overnight by different areas over the course of many months

The hair does regrow fairly quickly with the same thickness and characteristics but then months later falls again, then regrows and falls 

The Dr says is the hair cycle being synchroniced or something or blames it onto stress, diet and the like which is hard to believe considering that the hair has fallen and regrown more than once and I am doing the same healthy eating and habits I was when the transplant was successful

Reading other threads I see people that have LPP or scarring alopecia which is pretty scary but I must say that I don’t see none of those symptoms , I have no tingling feeling, eyebrows are thick and there is no scarring on the recipient area

Only the TRANSPLANTED hairs are going through this, its a recurring issue and very upsetting

Any idea what this might be?

[ITA]

Without pics it is difficult to understand what the problem could be, could you publish some pics of the pre surgery, surgery and after?  Over the after two years and even when did they start to grow back and then fall off, until today?

[mafpe]

does it fall of in batches / area? how long does it grows before it fall out?

theres something of hair cycle, in which our hair sheds regularly, and it happens not just to transplant.

although, stress does play a major part, i remember having my scalp to be easily seen for a period when im stressing alot, and it fills up again a few months after the ordeal.

[Rob83]

43 minutes ago, mafpe said:

does it fall of in batches / area? how long does it grows before it fall out?

theres something of hair cycle, in which our hair sheds regularly, and it happens not just to transplant.

although, stress does play a major part, i remember having my scalp to be easily seen for a period when im stressing alot, and it fills up again a few months after the ordeal.

Yes it falls in sections by area

The first year pretty much covered all the transplanted area by different batches, every 2-4 months some area would fall(again thick hair, no miniaturization or slow process, within 2 days you wake up and wtf, the hair looking pre transplant in such sections)

During the first year not one area fell twice which made me think is the hair cycle theory

But now reaching 2 years, the same batches have fallen twice or even 3 times in some areas, one same area fell, started regrowing quickly and has suddenly fallen again within 5 months

It only affects the transplanted hairline, the rest of my hair is thick as always, there is no itching, discomfort or strange feeling

 

Edited February 17, 2022 by Rob83

[Rahal Hair Transplant]

Rob83,

What you are experiencing is definitely rather unusual. Personally, I’m inclined to think that there is something going on that is causing this outside of the hair transplant procedure and results itself. After all, you said that it grew and was perfectly fine for five years.  And if I understand correctly, you’re saying that essentially all the transplanted hair falls out and then regrows again and then the process repeats itself several months later.

i’m not inclined to believe that it’s stress unless it’s some kind of traumatic stress that you’re experiencing during the time or times that the hair is falling out. However, there are other conditions that could be causing this including certain medications.  Are you taking anything it have you made any lifestyle changes in the last several months?

i think you should potentially consult a dermatologist or even a general practitioner to undergo some medical tests to see if there’s anything else going on. 

best wishes,

Rahal Hair Transplant 

[Rahal Hair Transplant]

P.s. i’m sorry if this was already said, but in addition to the transplant hair falling out and re-growing again, are you also losing any natural hair and is that also regrowing during this time? If it is only the transplanted hair, I’m personally at a complete loss as to what may be causing this.  But I’m curious to know your answers to some of these questions.

Best,

Rahal Hair Transplant

[Rob83]

1 hour ago, Rahal Hair Transplant said:

Rob83,

What you are experiencing is definitely rather unusual. Personally, I’m inclined to think that there is something going on that is causing this outside of the hair transplant procedure and results itself. After all, you said that it grew and was perfectly fine for five years.  And if I understand correctly, you’re saying that essentially all the transplanted hair falls out and then regrows again and then the process repeats itself several months later.

i’m not inclined to believe that it’s stress unless it’s some kind of traumatic stress that you’re experiencing during the time or times that the hair is falling out. However, there are other conditions that could be causing this including certain medications.  Are you taking anything it have you made any lifestyle changes in the last several months?

i think you should potentially consult a dermatologist or even a general practitioner to undergo some medical tests to see if there’s anything else going on. 

best wishes,

Rahal Hair Transplant 

Yes I got the transplant about 5 years ago but this ongoing fall took place shortly after the 3 year mark and it’s still ongoing

 

Yes ONLY the transplanted hairs fall, I have quite a lot of hair but with a receding hairline, the transplant made the hairline straight and closed off , therefore it’s very easy to discern the transplant area as there was no hair before

The transplanted hair falls and regrows and falls again

I agree, to name it stress is easy to do, I haven’t gone through anything that I would consider stressful

Regarding meds, I take finasteride 1mg same as years ago, vitamin d, iron and basic multivitamins as pretty much always have, nothing else...

I can’t think of any lifestyle changes either.

The hair regrowing means the follicle is alive, what can this be?

My health is good, I am fit and I barely ever get sick 

What tests do you recommend, and what type of dermatologists as many just go by the book

1 hour ago, Rahal Hair Transplant said:

P.s. i’m sorry if this was already said, but in addition to the transplant hair falling out and re-growing again, are you also losing any natural hair and is that also regrowing during this time? If it is only the transplanted hair, I’m personally at a complete loss as to what may be causing this.  But I’m curious to know your answers to some of these questions.

Best,

Rahal Hair Transplant

Yes it is absolutely ONLY the transplanted hair

 

[NARMAK]

Disclaimer firstly. i'm not a GP or anything and no medical background to give anything constituting medical advice. 

What you are describing sounds like Anagen and Telogen synchronised hair loss. Just that it's 100% in tune almost with the transplanted hair now. 

Usually the hair that's transplanted ends up having phases like the natural hair that some sheds, some regrows and its more or less a cycle. Its why even when hair goes through the regular cycle, our heads don't go slick bald and regrow hair all at the same time naturally. We lose about 50-150 hairs a day. 

Your situations very unusual and the above is the only explanation i could think of even if it sounds far fetched. 

[ciaus]

 

Don't see anywhere in your posts about being on minoxidil yet. One of the ways it works is by extending your hair growth cycle so you have more hairs growing at the same time, giving you a thicker overall look. You may get an initial shed, but it will just be temporary as the hairs reset for the new growth cycle. It could minimize the issue enough that its no longer noticeable, or at least less noticeable.

[Rob83]

5 hours ago, NARMAK said:

Disclaimer firstly. i'm not a GP or anything and no medical background to give anything constituting medical advice. 

What you are describing sounds like Anagen and Telogen synchronised hair loss. Just that it's 100% in tune almost with the transplanted hair now. 

Usually the hair that's transplanted ends up having phases like the natural hair that some sheds, some regrows and its more or less a cycle. Its why even when hair goes through the regular cycle, our heads don't go slick bald and regrow hair all at the same time naturally. We lose about 50-150 hairs a day. 

Your situations very unusual and the above is the only explanation i could think of even if it sounds far fetched. 

It makes sense, the Dr said that it is the likely reason back when I was over a year into it

My question is, while this shed/loss and hair cycle looks like it is certainly synchronized in only the transplanted hairs, why does it happen repeatedly?

I would understand the hair changing hair cycle in a synchronized manner, and suffering the shed I went through but after they the hairs get back to anagen, why do they fall again? It seems chronic or something

 

 

[NARMAK]

1 minute ago, Rob83 said:

It makes sense, the Dr said that it is the likely reason back when I was over a year into it

My question is, while this shed/loss and hair cycle looks like it is certainly synchronized in only the transplanted hairs, why does it happen repeatedly?

I would understand the hair changing hair cycle in a synchronized manner, and suffering the shed I went through but after they the hairs get back to anagen, why do they fall again? It seems chronic or something

 

 

It's definitely bizarre to say the least that it seems to be so highly synchronised. 

I would say maybe give topical Minoxodil a try for maybe 3 months or so. It might have a chance to knock things out of cycle and change it up if possible. 

I know ciaus mentioned Minoxodil too. 

[Rob83]

4 minutes ago, NARMAK said:

It's definitely bizarre to say the least that it seems to be so highly synchronised. 

I would say maybe give topical Minoxodil a try for maybe 3 months or so. It might have a chance to knock things out of cycle and change it up if possible. 

I know ciaus mentioned Minoxodil too. 

I read ciaus advice, sounds reasonable

I never used it,  wouldn’t use minoxidil make my hair dependent on the product if I later discontinue it? 

[ciaus]

13 hours ago, Rob83 said:

I read ciaus advice, sounds reasonable

I never used it,  wouldn’t use minoxidil make my hair dependent on the product if I later discontinue it? 

It won't be dependent like it is with finasteride. Minoxidil is just a growth enhancer, it doesn't address the underlying causes of hair loss. The worse you'll get are temporary sheds when you start and stop. And depending on how many borderline hairs you have that are about to go bye-bye even with finasteride, minoxidil can help those hairs be visible for a bit longer. 

It can be an annoyance to apply daily, but even if you don't decide to apply it for the rest of your life, the synchronization changes it does when you start and stop might be enough to get more of your hairs to stay in sync.

Edited February 18, 2022 by ciaus

[mcr7777]

I'd strongly recommend finding a derm that is a hair specialist.  They should examine your scalp with a dermoscopy/magnifiyer.  This may help rule out e.g. autommune conditions.  Don't bother with general derms - they are a waste of time when it comes to unusual hair conditions.  e.g. LPP forums are filled with people who go years with incorrect diagnosis. Hopefully what you have is not serious - but it is very unusual so find a specialist hair derm doctor - even if it involves travelling. research to find one.

 

 

 

[mcr7777]

On 2/17/2022 at 4:53 PM, Rob83 said:

Yes I got the transplant about 5 years ago but this ongoing fall took place shortly after the 3 year mark and it’s still ongoing

 

Yes ONLY the transplanted hairs fall, I have quite a lot of hair but with a receding hairline, the transplant made the hairline straight and closed off , therefore it’s very easy to discern the transplant area as there was no hair before

The transplanted hair falls and regrows and falls again

I agree, to name it stress is easy to do, I haven’t gone through anything that I would consider stressful

Regarding meds, I take finasteride 1mg same as years ago, vitamin d, iron and basic multivitamins as pretty much always have, nothing else...

I can’t think of any lifestyle changes either.

The hair regrowing means the follicle is alive, what can this be?

My health is good, I am fit and I barely ever get sick 

What tests do you recommend, and what type of dermatologists as many just go by the book

Yes it is absolutely ONLY the transplanted hair

 

 

On 2/17/2022 at 6:47 AM, Rob83 said:

Hello

i’ve been reading this forum for a while and looking at similar experiences to mine

I had a FUT HT to cover a receding hairline of less than 1650 grafts with close to 5 years ago with excellent results

The problem is that close to 2 years ago, the transplanted hairs started falling overnight by different areas over the course of many months

The hair does regrow fairly quickly with the same thickness and characteristics but then months later falls again, then regrows and falls 

The Dr says is the hair cycle being synchroniced or something or blames it onto stress, diet and the like which is hard to believe considering that the hair has fallen and regrown more than once and I am doing the same healthy eating and habits I was when the transplant was successful

Reading other threads I see people that have LPP or scarring alopecia which is pretty scary but I must say that I don’t see none of those symptoms , I have no tingling feeling, eyebrows are thick and there is no scarring on the recipient area

Only the TRANSPLANTED hairs are going through this, its a recurring issue and very upsetting

Any idea what this might be?

Just curious....Have you lost overall density due to this process?  If yes how much % would you estimate?

[Rob83]

7 hours ago, mcr7777 said:

 

Just curious....Have you lost overall density due to this process?  If yes how much % would you estimate?

No, zero loss in overall density

Only the transplanted hairs, they fall in a matter of days, grow back with the same thickness, and when things are looking pretty damn good 3-4 months later and seems like this thing is over , they fall again, grow back, repeat...