Hair Transplant Surgery is a surgical technique that removes hair follicles from one part of the body, called the “donor site”, to a bald or balding part of the body, known as the “recipient site”. This procedure has become exceedingly popular in recent years, following endorsement from many familiar celebrities. Unfortunately, when the popularity of such image-enhancing surgeries rise, the severity of the procedure at hand, usually wanes in the eyes of the public. This brings with it competition amongst plastic surgeons and beauty clinics in offering such procedures, and this can lead to what should be considered as a serious surgery, being “fast-tracked”, discounted and treated like buying a cup of coffee.
Sub-standard treatment in hair transplant surgeries can have a serious impact on a person’s appearance, and in turn, on their overall confidence and the way in which they live their life. Unfortunately, some are seriously injured and left with irreversible side-effects and emotional anguish as a result of a negligently performed procedure.*
There are two primary methods used in hair transplant surgeries:
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)- This is when each hair graft is removed from the donor region one by one, using a punch tool;
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)- This is when a thin strip of hair is removed from the donor region.
It is the responsibility of the practitioner/surgeon to ensure a patient is fully informed of the risks and side effects associated with a transplant before proceeding.
Common complications caused by negligent hair transplant surgery:
- Swelling of the scalp and forehead
- Inadequately implanted hair grafts
- Severe scarring around the donor site
- Change in the pigmentation to the skin
- Rashes/Itchiness
- Bald Patches
- Infection
- Divots/bumps on the head
- Loss of hair
- Slow or poor hair growth
- Nerve damage/loss of sensation
- Scarring
- Allergic reaction to anaesthetic
- Numbness
What to do if you think have been injured as a result of a negligent hair transplant procedure?
Individuals will vary greatly in physical reactions and healing ability from any surgical procedure and the mere fact that a complication has occurred following the surgery, does not in turn mean there is an automatic claim for negligence.
To proceed with a claim for negligence, a patient must show that the procedure fell below the accepted standard of care and a patient will be required to prove that the injury complained of is worse than what would have reasonably been expected, and was caused as a result of a lapse in the ordinary standard of care in carrying out the hair transplant.
If you are unsure as to whether you have a case, get in touch with the HOMS Assist Team. We will assess the circumstances surrounding the hair transplant and determine whether negligence exists or not.
If negligence is found, we will proceed with the case on your behalf. Contact a member of the HOMS Assist Team today to discuss your options.