Hair Transplant Red Flags That Should Never Be Ignored

For many men, choosing to have a hair transplant is a major decision often made to improve confidence in their appearance. However, when the procedure leads to complications, it can have the opposite effect – potentially lowering self-esteem even further.

While all surgery carries some degree of risk, plastic surgeons have a duty to take steps that minimise those risks. This guide outlines what to expect during hair transplant recovery, signs of a hair transplant gone wrong and what actions you can take if your surgeon has failed in their professional obligations.

What does a normal hair transplant recovery look like?

In the first few days after a hair transplant, it’s typical to experience minor swelling, tightness around the scalp, and the formation of small scabs in the areas where grafts were placed. Mild itchiness is also common as the skin begins to heal – this usually develops a few days post-surgery and may continue for a week or two. While the urge to scratch can be strong, it’s important to avoid disturbing the grafts during this time.

Around one week post-surgery, many people notice shock loss, where the transplanted hairs fall out. This is expected and not a sign of failure – it simply reflects the hair follicles entering a resting phase before regrowth begins.

Hair shedding can continue for a few weeks after the procedure. The scabs formed during the initial healing stage usually fall off by the end of the second week. After this point, the scalp may appear relatively healed on the surface, though deeper healing and hair regrowth will continue in the months ahead.

What are the signs that your hair transplant surgery went wrong? 

While there will always be risks of hair transplant surgery, there are some complications that are preventable – your surgeon should follow their duty of care to mitigate these risks. 

If these standards are not followed, there is an increased potential for the following issues:

• Overharvesting or excessive scarring of the donor area 
• Improperly implanted grafts
• Hairs growing at an incorrect direction (also known as inangulation), making the hairline appear unnatural
• Insertion of multiple rather than single hair follicles at the front of the hairline, which can result in an unnatural doll-like appearance
• Sparse or bald patches that might have resulted due to poor surgical technique 
• Necrosis and resulting scarring in the recipient area may indicate the use of adrenaline or an excessively deep incision

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention or your surgeon’s advice promptly.

How do you know if your hair transplant complications were because of negligence?

If you’re experiencing complications and your surgeon failed to meet accepted medical standards at any stage of your treatment, this may be classed as negligence. The standards expected of your surgeon can be found at: the British Association of Hair Restoration (BAHRAS), International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and Cosmetic Practice Standards Authority (CPSA).

These breaches of duty could include failures in the following areas:

Before surgery

• Not communicating realistic expectations about the likely results.
• Failing to explain potential risks and side effects.
• Not discussing alternatives to surgery or properly assessing your suitability for the procedure.

During surgery

• Using improper or outdated surgical techniques.
• Performing the procedure in a way that differs from what was agreed during the consultation.
• Delegating certain aspects of the surgery to a non-medically trained technician. These include:
  • The excisions to the donor area
  • The incisions to the recipient areas
  • Administration of anesthesia

After surgery

• Failing to provide clear aftercare instructions to support recovery.
• Not arranging or conducting post-operative consultations to check for complications and respond appropriately if they arise.

What does a compensation claim cover?

A compensation claim for a failed hair transplant may cover both general and special damages, including:

• Physical suffering: pain, discomfort, unexpected scarring, or other physical consequences of the procedure.
• Psychological suffering: emotional distress, anxiety, or reduced confidence linked to the results of the surgery.
• Impact on daily life: limitations on work, social activities or personal relationships caused by the outcome.
• Cost of corrective surgery: expenses for further procedures needed to repair or improve the results.
• Travel costs: journeys to and from medical or surgical appointments.
• Other financial losses: any income lost as a result of time off work or the inability to carry out usual tasks.

How long do you have to make a claim?

You usually have three years from the date of surgery to make a compensation claim for a failed hair transplant. In some cases, the time limit may begin from the date you first became aware that something went wrong, if this is later than the surgery itself.

How do you make a claim?

To start a compensation claim for a failed hair transplant, you should:

• Collect evidence: this can include photographs of the affected areas, personal diaries recording your symptoms and recovery, copies of all communications with your surgeon, dates and outcomes of appointments, timelines showing when side effects developed and any relevant receipts or invoices for treatment or travel.
• Speak to a solicitor: a solicitor specialising in cosmetic surgery claims can assess your situation, explain what you may be entitled to, help you gather the necessary evidence and pursue compensation on your behalf.

By understanding the red flags associated with hair transplant complications, you can recognise when to seek further advice from a medical professional. If your surgeon has failed in their duty of care, this awareness also puts you in a stronger position to explore your options for claiming compensation for the harm you’ve experienced.