After a hair transplant, patients usually experience a short period of hair loss. This is known as the 'shock' phase. This is before the new hair starts to grow. Shock hair loss is when hair that has been transplanted falls out suddenly in the area where it has been transplanted. Although it may seem alarming, shock loss is a normal and common occurrence after procedures such as FUE or DHI, and it represents a natural part of the recovery process.

At Long Hair Center (LHC) in Istanbul, Turkey, patients are carefully guided through every stage of the recovery process, including the shock loss phase, to ensure the best possible outcomes and the most natürel results. Understanding what shock loss is, why it happens, and how long it lasts helps patients focus on the bigger picture rather than worry about these temporary changes.

What is Shock Hair Loss and Why Does It Happen?

Shock Hair loss is the sudden loss of the implanted grafts following a hair transplant. It generally occurs as a reaction of the existing hair to the placement of new grafts in the recipient area. The important thing to remember is that shock hair loss does not indicate a failed transplant. On the contrary, the follicles remain healthy beneath the skin and will naturally grow again after a certain time.

When a hair transplant is performed, the scalp goes through several changes:

  • Tiny incisions are created to place the grafts, often using advanced techniques such as a micromotor system or the Choi implanter pen.
  • Hair follicles are carefully moved from the donor area to the recipient area.
  • Blood circulation adjusts as the newly implanted grafts require nourishment.
  • The scalp tissue experiences mild trauma as part of the procedure.

It is important to emphasize that during shock hair loss, the follicles remain healthy and alive beneath the scalp. What sheds is only the hair shaft thread, not the root. This makes the shedding temporary. Once the scalp has healed and blood circulation has stabilized, the follicles resume their normal function, producing new, stronger hair that grows back over the following months.

When Shock Hair Loss Starts to Occur and How Long It Lasts?

Shock Hair Loss usually begins about one month after a hair transplant. Below is a general timeline many patients experience:

  • First 10 Days: The scalp heals, with mild scabbing and crusting as part of the recovery process.
  • Weeks 3–4: Shock loss typically begins, and the transplanted hair shafts shed.
  • Month 4: New growth gradually starts as the follicles re-enter the active growth (anagen) phase.
  • Months 6–12: The hair continues to thicken, and the final results gradually become more visible, revealing a clear and natural-looking before-and-after transformation.

Not everyone experiences shock loss in the same way. For some, it may be very mild and barely noticeable, while others may experience more significant shedding. Additionally, the timing of shock loss can vary from patient to patient.

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