Hair Transplant Blogger Hair transplant and hair loss answers from Hasson & Wong

Shock Loss QuestionsPosted by admin (on behalf of the doctor) on July 16th, 2009

Is shock loss bad? I keep reading about it as if it is some dreaded event. What exactly is it, why does it occur, and how is it prevented?
— N.A.

Shock loss can occur in the native hair and the recipient area. Hairs falls out as a result of trauma associated with hair transplant surgery. However, there are in actuality, two types of shock loss. The first type of shock loss is temporary and usually occurs (if it will occur) several weeks after the procedure. In temporary shock loss, any hair that sheds as a result of the procedure begins to grow back at roughly the same time that the newly transplanted hair begins to grow. This is the only type of shock loss that our patients will occasionally experience and usually it is minor. The second type of shock loss is permanent. This is usually caused by damage to the native hair as a direct result of an ill-prepared recipient site. More specifically, permanent shock loss occurs when the physician cannot match the angle and direction of the native hair accurately. In many clinics, there is little preparatory work performed at the recipient site. At Hasson & Wong, we have for many years prepared the recipient site to ensure accurate insertion of grafts to help prevent shock loss and so that graft growth mimics nature. This requires shaving of the target recipient area to better visualize the true angle and direction of the native hair. This allows us to make our incisions parallel to existing hair. If the incisions are not parallel then they will transect (cut across) the neighbouring hair, thus causing permanent damage and eventual death of existing hairs in the recipient area. This is, in our opinion, the number one cause of permanent shock loss which we’ve seen in some patients of other clinics. Because we endeavour to protect the native hair, our patients do not experience permanent shock loss.

Temporary shock loss is not a great concern and certainly not a dreaded event. To safeguard yourself against permanent shock loss, do research before choosing a clinic. Choose a clinic that pays close attention to recipient site preparation — one which shaves the recipient area as part of that preparation and has a track record of low incidents of permanent shock loss (check the hair transplant forums).

— Victor Hasson, MD

Incoming search terms:

• hair transplant shock loss
• shock loss hair transplant
• permanent shock loss
• is shock loss permanent
• when does shock loss occur
• how to prevent shock loss after hair transplant
• shock loss after second hair transplant
• no shock loss after hair transplant
• shockloss after second hair transplant
• when does shock loss in hair transplant

• Is Rogaine Effective for the Hairline? First, I'd like to thank you guys for putting together this blog. It's very informative. My question was regarding Rogaine Foam. In your opinion, can it help keep hair on...
• Shock Loss to Recipient Area After Hair Transplant First, I cannot tell you how thankful I am to find your practice. Two years ago, uneducated, I had a transplant procedure with a local surgeon here in Alabama. At...
• How Does Smoking Affect Hair Transplants? How does smoking post-op affect the long term results of transplants? Does it make the hair shafts thinner and eventually hair loss in the grafted region? Is this something that...
• Shaving Recipient Area for Hair Transplant Necessary? Do I have to cut my hair or have it shaved at recipient area at time of the hair transplant surgery? — G.S. The necessity of shaving the recipient area...
• Crown Hair Transplant 5 Years Down the Road. Here is my case: I am 30 years old, I have been on Propecia for almost 10 years and have a moderate hair loss. I would like to get more...

• Brow techniques As with anything, when you do your brows, you can find what works for you, or doesn't emphasis the negatives. I loved this quote from Michelle Phan. She is a...
• Jason Gardiner Hair Transplant - The One Thousand Dollar Question Well well well. Jason Gardiner of "Dancing on Ice " fame ( a popular show in the UK) just revealed that he has had a modern day hair transplant. I...
• Lateral Slit Technique by Victor Hasson, MD The following factors are arguably the most important components of hair transplant surgery: Coverage Density Angle Control Naturalness Before analyzing these issues, I should address the...
• Menopause causes hair loss?, Yes Hair is indeed very crucial part of our beauty. There is therefore every need for us to worry when we see any signs of hair loss. There are preventable and...
• Effective Remedies for Women’s Hair Loss Hair loss of women is becoming a common and major problem nowadays, and it’s a difficult thing to solve. If you have healthy hair, that is a sign of good...