Hair thinning and loss are significant problems for both men and women. Although a receding hairline is a natural part of the aging process, there are treatments available. Hair transplant surgery, like any other surgical operation, carries the potential of complications. Nerve injury, which could result in numbness, is a possible consequence, albeit it is uncommon.
To begin with, numbness is a frequent side effect during the early phases of hair transplant recovery; therefore, patients should not be concerned if they do not have complete feeling in their scalp right after treatment.
As a result, numbness following hair loss surgery is particularly prevalent. Numbness of the scalp is almost often a transitory adverse effect of treatment. It might happen at the transplant site, the donor location, or both.
A patient may also suffer different degrees of numbness. Some individuals may experience no feeling at the treatment site, while others may experience tingling, burning, or itching. Tingling, burning, and itching can be uncomfortable, but these are actually indicators that the nerves are healing. As you recover from surgery, feeling should return to your scalp, and any unpleasant feelings should fade.
On the other hand, surgical side effects should diminish rather rapidly if patients follow post-operative instructions and care for their scalp as instructed. Many patients say that the numbness goes away after a few weeks of surgery. If the numbness lasts longer, it does not necessarily indicate that the nerves have been injured. Each patient’s recovery process is unique, and patients heal at various rates. After hair transplant surgery, it might take up to six months for complete sensation to return to the scalp.
Before committing to therapy, patients should carefully examine all of the potential dangers of hair transplant surgery. No surgeon can guarantee that a patient will not have persistent numbness because of hair transplant surgery. However, the risk is low. Because of your doctor’s experience and expertise, as well as improved hair transplant surgical techniques, it is extremely unusual that a patient may acquire lasting numbness after hair transplant surgery. The majority of patients consider that the minor risk of surgical complications outweighs the benefits of treatment.
So, one should keep in mind that the scalp is loaded with numerous small nerve branches, which generally give the scalp with a high level of sensitivity. When an incision is made in the skin or several micro punches into the scalp induce nerve stress, it may take some time for the nerves to recuperate. If a nerve is cut or injured throughout operation, it will usually recover and grow back fully functional within a few months.
The sensation eventually returns to normal, but it can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months. If the sensation does not return completely after 6 months, the patient may endure some slight numbness in the end. This does not imply poor circulation or an issue with the transplant in any way. Though experiencing patches of numbness can be upsetting, it is vital to note that the beneficial results of the hair loss treatment will not be jeopardized by these uncommon incidences of nerve injury.
To sum up, the numbness you will probably feel is just because of the nerve damage that you get during the surgery. In addition, it may not go off in very short time. Yet, there is no need to be afraid of because it is very common and normal side effect of a hair transplantation surgery. Even you may feel that numbness for 5 to 6 months. All you need to is to care for yourself and ask for a professional help during the recovery period when you need.
Is It Normal to Have Numbness after Hair Transplant?
Yes, it is very normal to have numbness after a hair transplant. The physician makes microscopic incisions in the scalp all through hair restoration surgery, which can sometimes injure or sever those nerves. The nerves no longer deliver touch messages to your brain since the network lines of communication have been severed. As a result, you feel numb in these locations. The donor and receiver sites on your scalp are two places where this injury might occur. However, the good news is that these effects usually only last a short time. Nerve regeneration occurs on its own. This returns them to normal functionality in a matter of months.
How long does it take for the head to feel normal after a hair transplant?
After a hair transplant procedure, it is normal to experience some discomfort, swelling, and sensitivity in the scalp. The amount of time it takes for the head to feel normal again can vary from person to person and may depend on the extent of the procedure.
In general, patients can expect to experience some discomfort and swelling for the first few days after the procedure, with the majority of symptoms resolving within the first week or two. However, it may take several weeks or even months for the scalp to fully heal and for the transplanted hair follicles to begin producing new hair growth.
It is important to follow all post-operative instructions provided by your healthcare provider and to avoid activities that may put stress on the scalp during the healing process.
Reference:
https://www.chicagohairinstitute.com/blog/2019/01/28/numbness-after-surgical-hair-loss
