Shock Shedding and New Eyebrow Growth After Long FUE Eyebrow Transplant
The greatest desire of patients considering eyebrow restoration is to have permanent, full and natural eyebrows immediately after the operation. The unshaven Long FUE technique offers this visual result instantly on the day of the procedure as the hairs are transplanted long. However, due to the biological structure of the hair follicles, it is inevitable to undergo a temporary shedding process in the weeks following the operation. In the medical literature “telogen effluvium” or colloquially called “shock shedding”, this phase is the period when patients worry the most and ask the question “I wonder if my eyebrows did not hold?”.
At this point Long FUE Eyebrow Transplant shock shedding It is very important to understand the physiological causes of this phase and the dynamics of new eyebrow growth in order to make the process psychologically comfortable. In our Nişantaşı clinic led by Dr. Handan Yavuz, we eliminate the concerns of our patients by explaining this biological transition period in all scientific details.
Shock shedding is a natural defense reaction of the transplanted hair follicles (grafts) against the temporary oxygen deprivation they are exposed to during the operation. In this process, while the hair shaft is shed, the stem cells that produce the hair follicle maintain their vitality in the micro channels under the skin. So it is not the root itself that is shed, but only the temporary hair shaft. In this article, you will find the timing of the start and end of the shock hair loss process, the phases through which new eyebrows grow and what you can do to support this process.
Long FUE Eyebrow Transplant Shock Shedding Phase (Biological Process)
Every hair follicle in the human body has a cyclical life cycle. This cycle consists of three main phases: anagen (active growth), catagen (transition) and telagen (resting). During the operation, the follicles from the safe donor area in the nape of the neck are detached from the nourishing blood circulation, even if only for a short time. This disconnection creates a temporary cellular stress in the follicle.
Roots placed in micro channels complete the process of re-vascularization (neovascularization) with the surrounding tissues for the first 10 days. After the roots start to feed, they terminate the growth phase and enter the telagen, or resting phase, in order to protect themselves under the influence of the trauma of the operation. The resting root releases the hair shaft and sheds it.
Long FUE Eyebrow Transplant shock shedding This condition is not the death of the root, but rather the discarding of the old hair and resting in order to produce new and healthy hair. To learn more about the process that begins with the shedding of the scabs Washing after Long FUE Eyebrow Transplant you can also take a look at our guide.
Shock Shedding and New Eyebrow Growth Timeline
One of the issues that our patients are most curious about is when the hair loss starts and when it ends. Dr. Handan Yavuz's scientific timeline based on clinical observations is as follows:
- Week 1 - 2 (Adaptation Process): The transplanted eyebrows stay in place, the wounds heal and the scabs fall off. Eyebrow care is extremely important during this period. For detailed care instructions First two weeks after Long FUE Eyebrow Transplant You can review our article.
- Week 3 - 4 (Start of Shedding): The shock shedding process starts gradually. It is perfectly normal for eyebrow hairs to come into your hand during washing or light contact.
- Month 2 (Peak Spill): Şok dökülme en yoğun seviyeye ulaşır. Ekilen kaşların yaklaşık %70 ila %90’ı dökülebilir. Kaş bölgesi operasyon öncesindeki görünümüne dönebilir veya boş görünebilir. Bu durum geçicidir ve paniğe kapılınmamalıdır.
- Month 3 (Rest and First Movement): The roots reach the end of their resting phase. Towards the end of the 3rd month, new eyebrow hairs with the consistency of fine, baby hair begin to grow under the skin.
- 4th - 6th month (Rapid Growth): The growing eyebrows become thicker, the growth rate increases and they start to take the form of eyebrows. During this phase, eyebrows may grow weekly.
- 10th - 12th Month (Final View): Ekilen kaşların tamamı (yaklaşık %95’ten fazlası) çıkmış olur. Kıllar yön ve kalınlık açısından yüzün doğal yapısıyla tam bir uyum sağlar.
Comparison of Shock Pouring Processes in Different Techniques
You can examine the effects of the applied method on the severity of shock spillage and the patient's comfort in the comparison table below:
| Method | Shock Spill Onset | Spill Severity and Rate | Patient's Psychological Anxiety | New Eyebrow Growth Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUT Method (Old Surgery) | It starts on days 15 - 20. | %90’a varan yoğun dökülme görülür. Kesilerden dolayı travma fazladır. | The anxiety level is very high because of stitches and scars. | From the 5th month onwards, exits begin, progressing slowly. |
| Classic FUE (Shaved) | It starts on days 10 - 15. | %80 – %90 oranında dökülme yaşanır. Kıllar zaten kısa ekilmiştir. | The shedding phase is demoralizing because of the appearance of shaved nape and eyebrows. | From the 4th month onwards, it starts to become apparent. |
| Unshaved Long FUE | After the 2nd - 3rd week It begins. | %70 – %80 oranında happens. Micro-punches reduce trauma, so there may be less shedding. | On the day of the transaction, the final state was seen and because the nape is unshaven. anxiety is minimal. | From the end of the 3rd month rapid outflows are observed. |
As you can see, the Long FUE technique can partially reduce the shock loss rate as it keeps the trauma to a minimum and allows the patient to psychologically manage this process much more comfortably. If you want to examine the traumas caused by the old methods in more detail Classic FUE eyebrow transplant you can take a look at our page. For operation planning and budgeting Long FUE eyebrow transplant prices You can get information from our page.
Ways to Nourish and Support Roots during Shock Loss
The nutrition of the skin and follicles should be supported to ensure that the hair follicles quickly overcome the resting phase and enter the active growth (anagen) phase again. The scientific support methods recommended by Dr. Handan Yavuz for this period are as follows:
First of all, you should review your eating habits. Adequate protein consumption is essential for the production of keratin, the cornerstone of hair structure. In addition, Biotin (vitamin B7), Zinc, Iron and B12 vitamins increase the rate of hair follicle division.
Green leafy vegetables, eggs, fish and nuts are rich sources of water. In order to remove toxins from the body and keep the circulation healthy, it is important to consume at least 2.5 liters of water a day.
Secondly, supportive treatments to be applied in the clinic should be evaluated. Mesotherapy sessions ensure that the mixtures of vitamins, minerals and amino acids needed by the hair follicles are injected directly under the skin.
This process shortens the shock shedding process and helps the new eyebrows to be thicker and more vibrant. In addition, hair follicle strengthening serums recommended by your physician can be applied by gently massaging the bottom of the eyebrows with fingertips. Massage increases the amount of oxygen by accelerating blood flow in that area.
Psychological Calm in the Shock Shedding Process
Shock shedding is the phase when patients panic the most. It can be unsettling to see your eyebrows thinning in the mirror, but this does not mean that the follicles have been lost. It is only the hair that is shedding, the root remains alive under the skin.
Remaining patient during this period is sufficient for the healthy development of the permanent eyebrows that will grow in the following months. If you feel uneasy, you can call us and we can confirm together that the process is normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes a temporary shedding (sympathetic shedding) can be observed in the existing eyebrow hairs around the transplanted area. This is a completely temporary reaction and both the transplanted and your own old eyebrows will grow back completely within 3-4 months.
The first eyebrows may be slightly stiff or wavy as they try to find their way through the tissue. As the hairs grow, are cut and adapt to the moisture balance of that area, they soften and take the form of normal eyebrow hairs.
No, they don't. The hairs that fall out are dead hair shafts. Since stem cells are already alive under the skin and start to produce new hairs, it is necessary to shed these bodies and there is no need for any intervention.
No, it cannot be prevented. Shock shedding is a natural, physiological and inevitable phase of hair and eyebrow transplantation. However, with nutritional and clinical supportive therapies, the shedding rate can be reduced and the new growth process can be accelerated.
After shock shedding, not all roots emerge on the same day. The growth continues inhomogeneously from the 3rd to the 10th month. For this reason, it should be waited for 1 year to see the final result, and a small touch-up should be planned if necessary after the process is completed.
Light eyebrow makeup can be applied 15 days after the operation (after the crusts fall off and the skin heals completely). However, in order not to prevent the roots from breathing, make-up should be removed very gently at the end of the day with solutions that do not harm the skin.
