Hair Loss Articles

Shockloss - Why It Happens - How Docs Minimize Occurrences
by Joe Tillman

Date Added: March 2, 2007

What is Shockloss?

Shockloss describes a process where native hair in the recipient area falls out as a result of trauma during the procedure. The trauma is usually caused by transection (cutting across) the native hair below the surface of the scalp when the surgeon makes incisions or inserts grafts

How is Shockloss Avoided or Minimized

Good hair transplant doctors minimize the risk of shockloss by:

1. shaving the recipient area to allow an unobstructed view of native hair growth angles so that when incisions are made or when grafts are placed, damage to native hair can be avoided;
2. using blades that are custom cut to the size of the each graft so that incisions are only as deep as they need to be.

Shockloss: not always the end of the world

Shockloss is fairly rare at a good clinic but does happen. Shockloss is not necessarily the end of the world. Much of the time it is temporary. For patients of the best hair restoration clinics, occurrences of permanent shockloss are rare or non-existent.

Do Your Homework

Would-be hair transplant patients researching clinics should discuss how a clinic's doctors minimize shockloss and should not judge a clinic's success by results photos alone. Talk to the doctors and their consultants. Ask about the incidents of shockloss: how often do their patients experience it and why? Visit the hair loss forums and speak to patients who have experienced it. What type of shockloss did they have? Was it temporary or permanent, and in the end, were they happy with their final result?