Why Have I Lost Most of My Transplanted Hair after Multiple Hair Restoration Surgeries?

I’ve had 5 hair transplants over the last 15 years with the last one 2 years ago with a total of more than 4500 grafts, all in the frontal part of the head. The problem is the new hair only lasts a certain amount of time and then it starts falling out. It used to last longer in the past but now it doesn’t seem to last more than a year before thinning starts all over. I’m now a 2 or 3 on the Norwood Scale for hair loss as if I’ve never had any hair transplants done. At this point, more procedures aren’t an option, knowing that I’ll end up losing that hair too.

I’m now living a nightmare and suffer from deep depression and anxiety with the likelihood that I’ll end up losing all my transplanted hair. I’ve talked to my doctor – who’s a very reputable and well known hair transplant doctor in Canada- and he’s telling me this is a very rare case (2%) where the body ends up rejecting the transplanted hairs due to some kind of an autoimmune problem and told me there was nothing that could be done in this case.

Is there anything anyone can tell me about this? Is this really it for me?

In virtually all men, if hair is harvested from the “permanent” zone at the rear and sides of the head to balding regions of the scalp, the hair will continue to grow for a lifetime, just as it did in its native location.

I agree with your hair transplant surgeon. This is highly unusual. I’m not a physician and, even if I were, I would not be able to provide any more insight into our case without the opportunity for an examination. Thus, I suggest getting a second opinion from a dermatologist specializing in hair loss. There are other, non-genetic, causes of thinning hair and there may be other factors at play.

Has your hair restoration physician discussed the potential benefits of Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil)? Though not generally known for their success in frontal hair, it seems that these medical hair loss treatments would be worth a try.

—-
David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community.

Technorati Tags: hair transplants, Norwood Scale, hair loss, balding, hair transplant, hair loss, thinning hair, hair restoration, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, hair loss treatments

David aka - TakingthePlunge

Next Should I Get Blood Work to Evaluate my Hair Loss? »

Previous « My Hair Still Looks Thin 7 Months after Hair Transplant Surgery

View Comments

Adam says:

November 13, 2014 at 12:43 am

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. The transplanted hair was harvested from the "permanent" zone. I've only dealt with the best hair transplant doctors and the hair at the back and sides of my head is still very thick (no horse shoe).

I am actually using Fin and Minoxidil and have been for the past 15 years or so.

I forgot to mention that I had a biopsy done (from the recipient area) but it didn't show anything. The only thing I can think of is that I have a really bad dandruff/dermatitis problem that doesn't seem to go away ever and I do wear a cap the whole time I'm outside and I'm thinking that might have contributed to the loss of the transplanted hair over the time even though I don't understand why the hair would grow perfectly for a year to 3 years then it'd start disappearing.