Q:
Several weeks have passed since my hair transplant surgery. It has come to my attention that there’s a small bald spot near my left ear. As told, I was keeping that area clean the last few weeks, but no hair has grown back, it is still the same. I do not think it is getting larger. For some reason, the bald area is more sensitive to heat or cold temperatures. I was washing my hair today, and a scab fell off, but it was about the same size as the bald spot.

Another thing, I feel numb in the surrounding area of the bald spot. For me, I’ve never seen a bald spot in my donor wound until now. I’m wondering what I can do about it. I guess trauma leads to falling out of hair in donor wound areas as well. Just to let you know, I’ve been taking doses of finasteride daily, before, during the time I had surgery, and after surgery. Comparing to times past, I think I’ve taken pretty nice care of my head vs. the other times I had hair transplant surgeries, so I’m a bit concerned.

I wonder if the hair will ever grow back, as long as there isn’t a scar over it. My bald spot is about the size of a silver dollar; it looks quite noticeable. The bald spot has been overly sensitive the whole time after the surgery, but it wasn’t infected and there was no blood oozing out of it. I’m thinking that maybe the hair surrounding the wound fell off because of shock.

Your advice would be much appreciated,

A:
I appreciate the email.  You guessed right about the hair loss probably being caused by shock around the area of your donor wound. There must have been really tight close-up of the donor area. Maybe the hard close-up caused the shock loss. The two areas, on either side of the scalp, are very vulnerable to shock loss. Usually, when shock loss occurs, it happens on both sides. Shock loss occurring around a donor wound is, most of the time, reversible. It takes about six months for hair lost because of shock loss to grow back. It’s a slow, but certain process. Stay patient.

At this time, there is not a lot that can be done. But it is important that a doctor takes a look at your shock loss. Also, the feeling of numbness in the donor area will last up from a few weeks to months. The numbness is caused by inflaming of the healing area, this has an effect on the nerves in that area. It will heal on its own time.

Not too long ago, I attended a racial diversity conference. There was a middle-aged black man who came up to give a talk on the microphone. He posed a question to those in attendance, “What is the first thing that comes to mind when you look at me?” And then an audience member screamed out, “BALDIE!” People went into an uproar (his intent was to get someone to say “you are black”).

Even though what the person yelled out was supposed to be funny, it’s a sad reality that people in our society notice physical appearances before anything else when first encountering somebody. It’s important to remind hair loss sufferers that there’s no stigma attached to baldness. It’s not your fault. People know that. It’s in the genes.
For men (and women) suffering from hair loss, there’s a socially acceptable solution: A hair transplant. Hair transplants have vastly improved peoples lives, from big-screen actors like Jude Law to respected TV sports reporters like KCAL’s Steve Hartman. Hair restoration procedures enhance self-esteem, helps a person feel as if he can blend in more easily at parties and gatherings, and might better someone’s chances of landing that prestigious job or coffee date with a prospective spouse.

At US Hair Transplant, our hair restoration procedures are natural as we use your own hair for the transplant. Feel free to take a peek at our hair transplant before and after photo gallery. In certain respects, a hair transplant will give you back your lost youth and help you feel less self-conscious upon meeting others initially, which can make life a more pleasant experience. Check out one of our articles “Psychology of hair transplant” for more on the psychosocial changes that could be seen in men after hair transplantation.

Much like straightening your teeth by paying a visit to the orthodontist, or fixing your eyesight by going through a Lasik procedure, hair transplant surgery restoration is a fantastic option for people who think it may enhance their lives.