Hair Loss due to Seasonal Hair Shedding

After various questions on the Hair Restoration Discussion Forums, Spex – a senior member and consultant to Coalition surgeon Dr. Alan Feller, decided to address the issue of seasonal hair shedding or temporary seasonal hair loss:

Shedding is something that guys (and girls) need to be well aware of so that when it occurs (often seasonally), you do not panic and start organizing your next hair transplant surgery  in a desperate attempt to regain your lack of “density”.

Shedding unfortunately is part of the hair transplant  “process”. Seasonal shedding along with medication shedding (if you are taking hair loss medications such as Propecia (finasteride) or Rogaine (minoxidil)) happens to all of us.  I personally experienced a shed recently which left my hair looking very thin, and even though I knew it was only a shed it still made me anxious and very self-conscious. This feeling happens every time, but I know through experience it occurs because of the periodic “shedding process” and that given time it will slowly but surely come back in. Yes, a waiting game …yet again!

When it does occur just park and ride it out – like in the early days of your hair restoration surgery. Try  not to scrutinize by watching the shedding process, applying products, washing your hair, conditioning it, washing it again (etc.)!  Also, remember the time period when you start and stop the shedding process. This way,  the next time it occurs you can limit the anxiety levels associated with seasonal shedding.

Another important point you should be aware of is that transplanted  hair is usually not as dense as native head. Because of this, when you shed say 25% of it during a “shedding cycle” it makes the transplanted hair  area appear especially thin compared to before the shedding occured. This is when the panic and anxiety sets in – trust me, I have experienced many sheds and it still unnerves me.

Best advice I can give is just ride it out and be patient (again) and it will all come back in over time – often 3/4 months.

Best Regards,

Spex

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

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