A Previous Hair Transplant Resulted In Several Ingrown Hairs

A Previous Hair Transplant Resulted In Several Ingrown Hairs - Can I Get Rid of Them?

Written by Mark McKenzie, MD on October 6, 2009

Several years ago I had a hair transplant done by a hair restoration group in Virginia. The results were abysmal and I now have continuing problems with in-grown hairs. For example, I have three of them now. These in-grown hairs are unsightly and very painful and they take a very long time to heal. No one there ever told me that this would be a possible outcome of the surgery.

Is there anything that can be done to get rid of them? Do I have any legal recourse?

Thanks for your help.
Fred
- - - - - - - - -

Hi Fred

Thank you for your question.
In order to find a solution to this problem, it’s important to arrive at a diagnosis.

(1) Are you noticing bumps in the skin which fill up with whitish or yellowish material and then “pop?”
(2) Are these bumps small like pimples or large like cysts?
(3) After they pop, does a hair appear where the bump used to be?
(4) Do they always appear in the same place or can they appear all over your scalp?
(5) Do they only occur in the transplanted areas or do they also appear in the non-transplanted areas?
(6) Were you told by your doctor that they are ingrown hairs or are you assuming that this must be the cause?
(7) Do you have straight or curly hair?
(8) Do you shave your hair?

I would visit the doctor who performed your original procedure & tell him or her about your concerns. If that is not possible, I would arrange to see a dermatologist who is familiar with hair transplantation in order to arrive at a diagnosis.

If the problem is indeed ingrown hairs, they could be removed surgically or sometimes simply expressed using a needle. Some patients suffer from recurrent pimples called “folliculitis” which can cause painful bumps in the skin. This can be treated with antibiotics. Another possibility is that the raised bumps are due to “cobblestoning” if large grafts were used for your transplants.

Fred I hope these suggestions help you in your quest to resolve this issue.

Regards,

W.G. Mark McKenzie M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Hair Restoration
Medical Director
Seager Hair Transplant Centre.
Member, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons
Member, American Hair Loss Association

Join the Hair Transplant Forum to connect with hair transplant veterans, ask questions to IAHRS Surgeons, watch videos and see actual hair transplant patient photo galleries. Click To Join
Lean more about your hair transplant surgeon at hairtransplantdocs.com