Do Hair Transplants Work & Will I Need A Second Hair Transplant?

Whilst FUE hair transplants can be a long-term treatment for hair loss, some patients may require an additional hair transplant later on due to the nature of hair loss and the different areas that people lose hair in at various times in their lives. 

In this article, we will be exploring why FUE hair transplants are an effective treatment and why a second hair transplant may be needed for some patients.

Do hair transplants work?

Utilising the latest technological advancements and improved surgical techniques, FUE hair transplants can deliver results that leave patients with natural-looking hair. 

FUE hair transplants are less invasive than FUT, and they leave minimal scarring with a quick recovery. Plenty of patient reviews show that hair transplants do work, but this depends on how qualified and experienced the surgeon is. 

Hair loss in men typically accelerates in their early thirties and then slows to a more manageable rate. Hair transplant surgery can permanently give hair back in a region that has lost it. By monitoring hair loss, your surgeon can recommend the best time for a transplant and ensure the best results for longer. The main reason behind this is that you don’t want your hair to continue falling out after having a hair transplant, leaving you a permanent zone of transplanted hair and then no hair behind or surrounding it.

Some people may find that even with an excellent FUE hair transplant, they begin to experience thinning in other areas of the scalp because hair loss occurs at different locations on the scalp at various times in one’s life. If this happens, having a second hair transplant procedure is an option, although you will need to consider how much of your donor hair you can use.

How long does a hair transplant last?

When a hair transplant is done right, it can last 10-20 years, and often a lifetime, thanks to the type of hair used and the precise nature of FUE. But if you think you need another hair transplant, always consult an expert surgeon, such as the team here at The Treatment Rooms London. We can guide you through your options and help you manage hair loss in various ways.

Will I need a second hair transplant?

Patients often seek a second transplant in the following circumstances:

• They lose more hair behind or surrounding a previous transplant
• They don’t achieve the result they wanted after their first transplant
• They develop a scar in a region from trauma or surgery and would like to conceal the area with a hair transplant
• As part of a planned 2-3 stage process for their hair transplant if they are very bald

As hair loss is the main reason most people choose a hair transplant, many patients are understandably concerned that their hair loss may return or continue.

A good surgeon will be able to advise you on when the best time is to have a hair transplant, including how fast the hair loss is occurring, and whether you may need to delay having a hair transplant. There are, in fact, better times than others to have a hair transplant, which your surgeon will discuss with you during your consultation.

When you have your first FUE transplant, your care team can recommend non-surgical hair-loss treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride to help prevent further hair loss and maintain a more consistent look. 

Second hair transplant surgery

A second hair transplant can be a viable option for some patients, especially those who are experiencing continuous hair loss even after the first transplant. However, a span of 3-10 years should pass before a second one becomes necessary (if not planned already).

If patients require a second hair transplant, we recommend waiting at least 12 months between procedures to allow the initial results of the first hair transplant to show.

Will a second hair transplant leave scars?

As with all hair transplant procedures, scarring will occur after surgery. However, FUE is the least invasive procedure and therefore only leaves minimal “dot-like” hair transplant scars.

The results speak for themselves as patients experience minimal visible scarring after a week or so. Once the scalp is fully healed, scarring should appear minimal.

It is standard practice for patients to undergo a second FUE hair transplant procedure. In fact, hair transplants can be repeated on the same patient (although this is not common) up to 2-3 times. The second procedure will be almost identical to the first and will leave scarring. Careful planning by your Surgeon should account for this, and if possible, scarring should not be visible once you have grown your hair to a certain length.

Second hair transplant results

FUE hair transplants are one of the most successful, natural-looking, long-term hair treatments available today. The success rates are very high when performed correctly on the right hair transplant candidate. A patient may need a second hair transplant in some cases, usually to correct the initial transplant or restore hair that continues to recede after the first transplant. 

Reputable clinics, like The Treatment Rooms London, will advise patients to not go above the two hair transplant threshold as there is often no need.

Similar to the first transplant, a patient will start to see long-lasting results after 12 months, with the first 2 weeks being crucial for the follicles to fully take root, provided you have followed the correct hair transplant aftercare and recovery steps. 

If you’re considering getting a second hair transplant and need expert advice, please book a consultation with one of our specialist surgeons. We will go through all the options with you and decide together whether you need a second hair transplant.