Itchy Scalp After Hair Transplant And Losing Hair: What is Happening?

Hello, I have had hair transplantation surgery two months ago, and currently my scalp itches and I have a lot of dandruff. Sometimes when I scratch my head small hairs come out along with the dandruff. Is this miniaturized native hair coming out or is it possible that after 2 months transplanted hair can still be shedding? Can dandruff cause additional hair loss?

Severe scalp irritation such as scalp dermatitus can be the cause of some types of hair loss such as telogen effluvium, but not genetic hair loss.

The hairs you are finding in your hand after itching are most likely native hairs though I won’t rule out the possibility that some of the transplanted hairs could still be shedding - though that would be rare. It would suggest that the hair shedding you are experiencing could be one of 3 things at only 2 months post op:

Normal Hair Shedding: These hairs could have entered the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle and therefore shedding normally.

They could be miniaturized hairs due to male pattern baldness (MPB): How do the hair follicles look in your hand? Do they look healthy or do they appear thin and fine, maybe even a lighter color?

Shock Loss: Shock loss an happen at varying times. In my personal experience with shock loss, 5 to 7 weeks was when it hit me. I have spoken to many hair transplant patients who have started experiencing shock loss around 2 months post-op. Hairs that were temporarily “shocked” will grow back while permanent ones will not. Learn more about shock loss.

But rest assured, 2 months out from a hair transplant is not the time to panic. This is the time that people typically look the worst. I encourage you to have patience during this hard time and you’ll be much happier in a few short months!

In the meantime, I recommend using an anti-dandruff shampoo such as Nizoral or Head and Shoulders to help with scalp irritation and dandruff.

Best wishes,

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

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