Numbness and Sensation After Hair Transplant Surgery
This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Robert True of New York, NY who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. His professional answer is below.
How long does numbness last after hair replacement surgery? Is this normal?
It is common to have temporary loss or change of sensation to the scalp during and after a hair transplant procedure. The most common area affected is the top of the head, or recipient area.
Occasionally, the area above the donor incision may also be affected. The tiny nerve endings located superficially throughout the skin are traumatized by the hair restoration procedure resulting in the sensation change. The sensation does return to normal, but commonly this can take from 2 to 6 months. Rarely, it may take longer and very rarely, there may be small areas in which the sensation does not fully normalize. There is nothing that can be done to speed this process.
Recovery of sensation is often associated with minor tingling, prickling, or itching sensations (signs of healing).
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Bill
Associate Publisher/Editor
Technorati Tags: hair replacement, hair transplant, hair restoration
November 13, 2019 @ 5:40 am
Hi Doctor,
I have been facing some issues of numbness of hair scalp after transplanting , kindly suggest us some remedies too to keep scalp healthy after transplant too .
January 19, 2018 @ 7:02 am
Dear Doctors,
i am into big trouble post my hair transplant surgery (FUE) , numbness in my head and which is moving here and there.
i neurologist told it happens and assured me that this will go away in 2 months time post procedure, which gradually reduced to 2-5% after 3 months , but the problem is it has re-occurred exactly the same way after 4 month. like i am sitting right after procedure. my biggest worry is why it re-occurred. please help
December 25, 2016 @ 2:15 am
I got a FUE hair transplant of 3500 follicles done 2 weeks back. My recipient area feels very heavy and is also completely numb. I understand the reason for numbness, but the heaviness is really disturbing and worrying.
Please help!
March 18, 2016 @ 8:57 am
Hi, its my seventh day of the FUT and i feel my head is made of stone apart from numbness, is this tightness of head normal and how long its gonna stay
October 5, 2013 @ 2:47 pm
HI Guys
I had just done my transplant less than 3 weeks ago(3300 grafts). I had mild pain for about 2 weeks(it could be also due to the fact that i was on painkillers for like about 10 days).
The doc prescribed me combiflam for pain which is a great tablet and augmentin(antibiotics).
But the pain is totally gone and all redness in the back of the head is gone. Try taking these and if you still have pain after 2-3 weeks after the procedure, u def need to see a doctor.
October 3, 2013 @ 12:11 pm
graeme,
Tenderness in the donor area can last several months but should gradually dissipate month to month. That said, if you are still experiencing extreme pain after 2 weeks that’s affecting your sleeping, I strongly recommend that you speak to your physician. At this point, while it’s normal to experience some mild discomfort, you should be able to lay on your back without experiencing any significant pain.
Please keep us posted on how your consult with your physicians goes.
Best wishes,
Bill – Managing Publisher of this Community
October 2, 2013 @ 5:26 pm
Hi Bill,
I had a hair transplant 2 weeks ago… how long do you thing the pain of the donor site incision will last?? I can’t lie on my back yet because the incision site still hurts. I know it’s only been two weeks, but how long do you think this particular pain will last?
Thanks
February 18, 2013 @ 1:34 pm
Nick,
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had a poor experience. However, I can tell you with 100% certainty that hair transplantation, when done right, works very well. Personally, I’d be 100% bald on top if it weren’t for the 4 hair transplants I’ve already had. To read my experience, journey and view my before/after photos, visit my hair loss website.
Best wishes,
Bill
February 17, 2013 @ 11:24 pm
I had HT 4years ago. I still have numbness and tingling. I also have tightening of scalp. I am diabetic and doctor should not have done HT on me. My blood glucose is high because of tingling in the head. I have been on many nerve pain medication and nothing is helping. Procedure was done by bosley. I didn”gain any hair. HT is fraud and doesn’t work. I had 2300 graft and cost $12,000 plus. Is the pain will go away.