December 21, 2025

Hair Transplants Gone Wrong

Hair transplants don’t always go to plan, and we’re increasingly seeing patients who need support after treatment elsewhere has fallen short of expectations. It’s disheartening to see – but it’s also why we believe clear, honest guidance matters. In this blog, we share some real experiences and outline the key things to look for when choosing a hair transplant clinic, to help you avoid common pitfalls.

Beware of the Black Market Hair Transplant Clinic

This is a campaign launched by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. It highlights the dangers of going to a hair transplant clinic for cheap procedures. There are many problems patients face when they turn up to these types of clinics. We have talked about them extensively in our recent blog here: Beware of the Black Market Hair Transplant Clinic.

A Sad Story About A Businessman In India

Sadly, a gentleman in India has passed away after undergoing a hair transplant. We don’t know yet whether the transplant caused his death. He presented to a hospital with a swollen mouth and breathing problems, so it is possible he had an allergic reaction to a medication given after his surgery. However, the details about his procedure are very worrying.

He had an astronomical 9000 grafts taken out in one session! We cannot stress how dangerous this is.

At The Treatment Rooms London, we can safely extract 2000 grafts in one day. If you require more, we will plan your surgery over multiple sessions. This makes sure:

Your grafts have the highest chance of survival and growing
Reduces the length of the procedure and your fatigue
Makes your recovery more comfortable

Removing 9000 grafts would probably have depleted his donor hair zone, resulting in a see-through effect. It is also far too many grafts to be taken out in one session of Follicular Unit Excision (FUE). Most of those grafts would likely not been re-implanted in time for them to survive.

The gentleman’s surgery was done at night and lasted 12 hours. This is a long time for the grafts to be potentially out of the body. We wonder whether his surgeon could have considered operating over 2-3 sessions. Not only would this have meant a smaller “bite-sized” hair transplant, but it would have been safer for the patient, too, which should be the main priority for any surgery.

What Should You Look For In A Hair Transplant Clinic?

In the UK, a hair transplant clinic should fulfil the following criteria:

Be CQC registered
Have a GMC-licensed Surgeon

To operate legally in the UK, a hair transplant clinic should meet these criteria. If you are looking to undergo the procedure, please make sure you check these details. Hair transplants can go wrong if you find yourself in a clinic that is not regulated and has surgeons operating unlawfully in the UK.

Going Abroad

There are black market hair transplant clinics everywhere, including the UK. However, there is currently a higher proportion of these clinics in countries like Turkey and India. Patients travelling to these countries for their transplant put themselves at high risk of poor outcomes and life-changing complications.

One of the most important aspects of having a hair transplant is being able to contact your surgeon straightaway if anything goes wrong. Having an open line of communication is key. Don’t be coerced into going abroad or to a black market hair transplant clinic. We highly advise you to take your time to make your decision – you should not be pressured or rushed into it. Try to choose a clinic you can go back to if you have any problems or questions.

At The Treatment Rooms London, we go the extra mile to keep in touch with all our patients after their FUE hair transplant procedure. We understand that undergoing surgery can be daunting. Holding your hand throughout this process is what we do best.

Have You Been Affected By A Poor Hair Transplant?

Every week, we see patients come to The Treatment Rooms London seeking help. We understand the sense of guilt and frustration you might be feeling after having a poor transplant. It might be hard to reach out at first, but please feel free to contact us. We will see you free of charge and explain the treatment options available to you.

To contact us, please click on the link below:

References

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Authored by

Dr Roshan Vara

Hair Transplant Surgeon & Co-Founder

Dr. Roshan Vara is a renowned hair transplant surgeon in London and the Co-Founder of our award winning hair transplant clinic, The Treatment Rooms London.He has over 10 years of experience in hair transplant surgery and is recognised for delivering natural-looking results through ethical, patient-centred care. He is a Full Medical Member of BAHRS and an Associate Member of ISHRS, reflecting his commitment to the highest standards in modern hair restoration.

GMC Registered - 7458409

Reviewed by

Dr Dilan Fernando

Hair Transplant Surgeon & Co-Founder

Dr. Dilan Fernando is regarded as one of the best hair transplant surgeons in London and Co-Founder of The Treatment Rooms London. He has over 10 years of experience in hair transplant surgery and is known for his meticulous technique and commitment to ethical practice. He served on the Executive Committee of BAHRS from 2020 to 2024, helping to shape industry standards for patient safety and quality of care. Dr. Fernando personally performs each surgery, ensuring natural results built on trust and experience.

GMC Registered - 7458157